The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 130 - One Hundred and Thirty

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty

Sophie’s pov

The house driver dropped me at school at exactly seven thirty.

Same routine. Every day. For the past few months.

Ever since Alicia had saved me. Ever since she’d gotten me away from him. Away from Robert. Away from the man who’d tried to sell me like I was nothing. Like I was property.

Alicia had married Travis Blackwood and brought me with her. To this massive mansion. To this new life. To what was supposed to be safety.

But it didn’t feel like safety. It felt like a different kind of prison. One with expensive furniture and rules I didn’t understand.

"Have a good day, Miss Sophie," the driver said.

I didn’t respond. Just grabbed my bag and got out.

The school was already filling up. Students everywhere. Laughing. Talking. Living their normal teenage lives.

I walked through them like a ghost. Nobody looked at me. Nobody talked to me. They just moved out of my way.

Like I was dangerous. Like I might explode at any moment.

I guess I couldn’t blame them. Not after what happened to David.

David Chen. Star football player. Popular. Entitled. He’d cornered me in the hallway right before that trip to the Maldives. Put his hands on me. Tried to touch me in ways I didn’t want to be touched.

So I broke his nose.

One punch. Clean. The way Malachi had taught me during our first week at the mansion. He’d said I needed to know how to defend myself. That the world was dangerous. That I should never let anyone touch me without permission.

So I didn’t.

David had gone down hard. Blood everywhere. His friends had stared. Everyone had stared.

The school had wanted to expel me. Had called Alicia to the principal’s office. Had threatened police involvement. Assault charges.

But Alicia had defended me. Had stood there in that office and told them exactly what David had tried to do. Had threatened to bring in lawyers. Had made it clear that if they punished me, she’d make sure everyone knew the school protected predators.

Pa Wood had backed her up. Made a few calls. Donated money for a new library.

Suddenly it was self-defense. Suddenly David was the problem.

He was still in the hospital. Something about complications. Infection. I didn’t care. Didn’t feel bad about it.

He shouldn’t have touched me.

And now he was expelled. Gone. But his ghost remained. Everyone knew what I’d done. Everyone talked. And now nobody came near me.

Which was fine. I didn’t need friends. Didn’t want them. Friends meant vulnerability. Meant caring about people who’d eventually leave or disappoint or betray.

I’d learned that lesson in Dark City. Back when Robert was still around. Back when my mother was still alive.

Back when everything was terrible.

I went to my locker. Got my books. Headed to first period.

Mrs. Anderson’s English class. The only class I actually liked. The only teacher who didn’t look at me like I was a ticking time bomb.

I sat in the back. Pulled out my notebook. Started doodling while she talked about Shakespeare or symbolism or whatever.

The class dragged. Then second period. Then third.

Lunch was the worst. Everyone had their groups. Their tables. Their people.

I sat alone. At the corner table near the windows. Ate the lunch the mansion chef had packed. Ignored the stares and whispers.

Sophie Blackwood. The violent one. The crazy one. The one who put David Chen in the hospital.

I put in my earbuds. Listened to music. Drowned them all out.

After lunch was study hall. Then chemistry. Then finally the last period.

I was counting down the minutes when the intercom crackled.

"Sophie Blackwood to the principal’s office. Sophie Blackwood to the principal’s office."

Great. What now?

I grabbed my bag. Walked through the halls. Felt everyone’s eyes on me.

Principal Chen’s office was at the end of the admin hallway. I knocked.

"Come in."

I opened the door. Principal Chen was sitting behind his desk. Early thirties. Stern face. The kind of authority figure who’d seen everything and wasn’t impressed by anything.

Also, David Chen’s uncle. Which made every interaction with him awkward and tense.

"Miss Blackwood. Sit."

I sat.

"You’re not in trouble," he said. Like that wasn’t the first thing everyone assumed when they got called here.

"Okay."

"I need your help actually. We have two new students starting today. Twins. They transferred from a private academy in New York. Very prestigious family."

"And you’re telling me this why?"

"Because I’d like you to show them around. Help them get oriented. Make sure they feel welcome."

I stared at him. "You want me to be their tour guide?"

"Yes."

"Me? The girl everyone’s afraid of? The one who put your nephew in the hospital?"

His jaw tightened. "That incident is behind us. The school has moved on. So should you."

"Easy for you to say."

"Miss Blackwood. I’m asking you to do this as a favor. These students come from a very influential family. The kind of family that could benefit the school. And you’re a Blackwood. You understand that world. You won’t be intimidated by them."

"What’s there to be intimidated by?"

"Their family’s wealth makes yours look modest. But more importantly, they’re used to people treating them differently. Like they’re special. You won’t do that."

"Because I don’t care about anyone?"

"Because you’re honest. And right now, that’s what they need."

I wanted to argue. To refuse. To walk out.

But Alicia had fought for me to stay in this school. Had defended me. Had made it possible for me to have some kind of normal life.

I owed her. And if doing this stupid favor kept the peace, then fine.

"Fine," I muttered.

"Good. Wait here."

He made a call. Spoke to someone in the front office. Then hung up.

We sat in awkward silence. Me slouching in my chair. Him doing paperwork.

Then the door opened.

Two people walked in. A boy and a girl. Clearly twins. Same dark hair. Same sharp features. Same expensive clothes that screamed money.

The girl was stunning. Perfect makeup. Designer everything. The kind of girl who knew she was beautiful and used it.

The boy was tall. Athletic build. That casual confidence rich kids always had. Like the world was built for them and everyone else was just visiting.

"Ah. Perfect timing." Principal Chen stood up. "This is Sophie Blackwood. She’ll be showing you around today. Sophie, meet Cameron and Charlotte Ashford."

Cameron gave me a once-over. Smirked. "Blackwood? Any relation to the Blackwoods?"

"Unfortunately."

Charlotte laughed. Actually laughed. "I like her already."

"Sophie will show you the campus. Introduce you to teachers. Help you get settled. I expect you both to be respectful and follow her lead."

"Of course," Cameron said. But his tone said he had no intention of following anyone’s lead.

"You’re dismissed."

We walked out. The twins flanked me. Too close. Too comfortable.

"So," Charlotte said. "Sophie Blackwood. What’s your damage?"

"Excuse me?"

"Everyone has damage. Especially people in families like ours. What’s yours?"

"I don’t have damage."

"Liar." But she smiled when she said it. "Come on. We just transferred here. We’re trying to figure out who’s worth knowing."

"And you think I am?"

"You’re a Blackwood. That automatically makes you interesting."

I stopped walking. Turned to face them. "Look. I’m doing this because I was told to. Not because I want to. So let’s get this over with. Here’s the cafeteria. There’s the gym. That’s the library. Classes are on the second and third floors. Congratulations. You’re oriented."

Cameron stepped closer. "You always this hostile?"

"Only to people who act like they’re doing me a favor by existing."

"Ouch." But he was grinning. "I like you. You’re mean."

"I’m not mean. I’m realistic."

"Same thing." Charlotte looped her arm through mine. Like we were friends. Like this was normal. "Come on. Show us where the cool kids hang out."

"There are no cool kids. There are just people who think they’re cool."

"Perfect. Show us those people. We need to know who to avoid."

I tried to pull away. But Charlotte held on. Surprisingly strong for someone who looked like she’d never done manual labor in her life.

"Fine. But after this, we’re done. I showed you around. That’s it."

"We’ll see," Cameron said.

We walked through the school. I pointed out classrooms. Showed them the major areas. Introduced them to a few teachers who were still around.

The whole time, Charlotte kept asking questions. About the school. About me. About the family.

"So are you related to Malachi Blackwood? The one who owns like half the city?"

"He’s my brother-in-law. My sister married his brother."

"And you live with them?"

"Yeah."

"That must be weird."

"Everything about my life is weird."

"Join the club," Cameron said. "Rich family drama is universal."

We ended up outside. Near the parking lot. The driver was already waiting for me.

"That’s my ride," I said. "You’re on your own now."

"Wait." Charlotte grabbed my arm. "Give me your number."

"Why?"

"Because we’re going to be friends. Obviously."

"We’re not going to be friends."

"Yes. We are. You just don’t know it yet." She pulled out her phone. "Number. Now."

I sighed. Gave her my number. Easier than arguing.

She sent me a text immediately. Just an emoji. A little crown.

"There. Now you have mine. Text me later. We’re going to this party on Friday. You’re coming."

"I don’t do parties."

"You do now." Cameron was already walking toward a car. A sleek black Mercedes. Of course. "See you tomorrow, Sophie."

They drove away. Left me standing there. Confused. Annoyed.

And maybe. Maybe just a little bit less alone than I’d been an hour ago.

I got in the car. The driver started driving.

"How was school, Miss Sophie?"

"Weird."

"Good weird or bad weird?"

"I don’t know yet."

My phone buzzed. Text from Charlotte.

You’re not as scary as people say. But don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with us.

I stared at the message. Didn’t know how to respond.

Another text.

Also, that thing with David Chen? Totally deserved. Everyone knows he’s been creeping on girls for years. You’re basically a hero.

A hero. Right.

I put my phone away. Stared out the window. Watched the city go by.

Alicia had saved me from Robert. From being sold. From a life I didn’t want to imagine.

And now I was here. In this weird limbo between my old life and whatever this new one was supposed to be.

Maybe having friends wouldn’t be the worst thing. Maybe Charlotte and Cameron were different. Maybe they’d actually stick around.

Or maybe they’d disappoint me like everyone else.

Either way, I’d find out soon enough.