Chapter 9 - Sophie

YAYYYYY NO MORE SOPHITZ!!

*Sophie's POV*

Sophie stumbled out of the bathroom, her heart pounding in her chest. The cold air of the café hit her like a wave, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside her. Her mind was racing, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and hurt. She couldn't believe what she had just seen. Fitz. Her Fitz. Kissing Stina. She had been blind, so blind, to think their relationship meant anything close to what she thought.

Her breath was shaky, each step feeling heavier than the last as she rushed toward the exit, desperate to get out of the café. She had to get away, away from them, away from the reality of what she had just witnessed.

But before she could reach the door, she heard a voice. A familiar voice, filled with panic and guilt.

"Sophie, wait!" Fitz's voice was frantic, the sound of his footsteps growing closer.

Sophie froze, her heart stopping in her chest. She couldn't face him right now. Not after what she had seen. The betrayal burned in her chest like fire, and she could feel the sting of tears threatening to spill.

"Please, Sophie!" Fitz's voice was closer now, almost pleading.

Sophie could feel him approaching, his footsteps echoing in her ears. She didn't turn around. She couldn't. She wasn't sure what she would do if she looked at him again. The hurt was too raw, too fresh, and she couldn't bear it.

But then, just as she felt Fitz's hand reach out to grab her arm, she heard another voice.

"Hey, buddy. Back off," Keefe said, his tone sharp and commanding.

Sophie's breath hitched. She didn't know if she should be relieved or terrified, but in that moment, she was frozen.

Fitz paused, his hand hovering in the air as Keefe stepped between him and Sophie. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with unspoken words and emotions. Sophie felt her heart flutter, both in gratitude and disbelief. She had never been more thankful to have Keefe in her corner.

Fitz stared at Keefe, his eyes blazing with frustration and confusion. "What the hell, Keefe? Let me through," Fitz snapped, his voice cracking with desperation.

Keefe stood firm, his stance protective and unyielding. "Not a chance, Fitz. You've already done enough," he said, his voice cold, but tinged with a protective edge Sophie had never heard before.

Fitz's gaze flicked between Keefe and Sophie, his expression a mix of anger and regret. "You don't get it, do you?" he snapped, his frustration mounting. "I need to talk to her. I messed up, okay? I need to explain."

Keefe shook his head, his eyes dark with anger, but his voice was calm. "No, Fitz. You don't get to explain. Not after what you just did. Not after everything. You're not going to hurt her anymore. Not while I'm here."

Sophie felt a knot tighten in her chest as she watched the exchange. She wanted to say something, to tell them both how much it hurt, but the words were stuck in her throat. How could she explain the devastation she felt? How could she put into words what she had seen? The betrayal was too much, and all she wanted was to escape it.

Fitz's face twisted with frustration as he tried to push past Keefe, but Keefe didn't budge. "Move, Keefe. I need to talk to her. It's my mistake. Just let me talk to her!"

Keefe's eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a low growl. "No. You don't get to fix this. You don't get to hurt her and then come running after her like you can make it all better. Not this time."

Sophie stood behind them, watching the scene unfold, a swirl of emotions crashing inside her. She had never seen Keefe so fierce, so protective. It was both comforting and unsettling. She had never imagined that she would need someone to stand up to Fitz like this, but in that moment, Keefe was doing it for her.

Fitz's gaze softened for a split second as he looked at Sophie, but it quickly turned into something more bitter. "You don't understand, Keefe," he said, his voice quieter now, tinged with a bitterness that made Sophie's stomach churn. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I never meant to hurt her."

Keefe's eyes flashed with something Sophie couldn't quite read, but his tone remained steady. "It doesn't matter. You can't undo what you've done."

The café was silent except for the sound of their breathing, the tension hanging thick in the air. Sophie stood there, frozen, unable to look at either of them. She couldn't deal with this right now. She just wanted to run. To escape the suffocating weight of what she had just witnessed.

Finally, Fitz stepped back, his shoulders slumping with defeat. "I'm sorry, Sophie," he muttered, his voice soft, barely audible. "I messed up."

Sophie didn't respond. She couldn't. The words felt like they were stuck in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to speak. She didn't know what to say. It was too much, too painful.

Keefe stepped closer to her, his gaze never leaving Fitz. "Come on, Sophie," he said softly, his voice full of concern. "Let's go."

Sophie nodded, her throat tight as she turned away from Fitz. She couldn't bear to look at him anymore. Not after what she had seen. Keefe guided her gently out of the café, his presence a steadying force as they left behind the mess that had once been her relationship with Fitz.

And as they walked out into the crisp air, Sophie couldn't help but wonder if she would ever truly be able to move on from the betrayal she had just witnessed.