Chapter 11 - Sophie

*Sophie's POV*

Sophie stumbled through the cold air, her heart racing as the scene in the café replayed over and over in her mind. The taste of betrayal was sharp, bitter, and almost suffocating. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. She just wanted to escape, to get away from everything.

Keefe, still by her side, watched her closely, concern and anger warring in his eyes. As they reached a secluded corner of the alley, he spoke in a low, steady voice.

"Sophie, we can't stay here. Let me take you home. We need to get away from this place." His voice was gentle, but there was no mistaking the edge of protectiveness.

Sophie didn't answer, too lost in her own grief. Her tears kept coming, and she could feel the overwhelming weight of everything. She couldn't face Grady and Edaline, couldn't look at them right now.

Keefe hesitated for a moment before making a decision. His hand brushed against hers, his fingers intertwining with hers before he whispered, "Hold on tight."

Before Sophie could react, the world around them shimmered and shifted. The familiar surroundings of the outside of the café disappeared, replaced by the warmth of her room.

Sophie's knees buckled as soon as they arrived. She collapsed onto the floor, her body wracked with sobs. Keefe stood above her, his hands hovering, unsure of how to comfort her. He wanted to do something, anything, to make her feel better, but words failed him. He wasn't sure what would even help in this moment. Nothing would undo the pain Sophie felt.

"Sophie..." His voice cracked with emotion as he crouched down beside her, his hand reaching out to her, but she pulled away, her body trembling with silent sobs.

Keefe felt a knot in his chest. He hated seeing her like this. He hated that Fitz had done this to her. He hated that Sophie was hurting and there was nothing he could do to fix it. All he could do was be here, and he would stay by her side for as long as she needed.

"Sophie, I..." He trailed off, unsure of what to say. He couldn't even form a coherent thought through the storm of emotions swirling inside him. He didn't want to make her feel worse.

Sophie, though, didn't respond. Her tears were the only answer. She pulled her knees closer to her chest, her face hidden behind her hands. The pain was too much, the betrayal too raw. She couldn't stop crying.

Keefe remained silent for a while, kneeling beside her, letting her cry it out. He wanted to speak, wanted to tell her that it wasn't her fault, that Fitz didn't deserve her, but right now, words wouldn't help. Sophie had to process this on her own time.

It was only after what felt like an eternity that Keefe finally whispered, "Sophie... I'm so sorry. I hate seeing you like this. I know you're hurting, but you're not alone. I'm here."

Sophie didn't look up. She was still curled up in a tight ball, her face wet with tears. The sobs hadn't stopped, and the tears kept flowing. The pain was too overwhelming. She needed time to think, to process the reality that Fitz, the person she had trusted with everything, had just shattered her heart.

She had thought their relationship meant something real. She had thought Fitz was someone she could trust, someone she could build a future with. But now? Now, the very thought of him made her stomach turn.

Keefe stayed with her, not pressing her to talk, not asking her to move, just there to offer his support in the only way he knew how—by simply being present.

Time passed. The silence in the room stretched on as Sophie's sobs slowly began to quiet. Keefe continued to kneel beside her, never once leaving her side. When her crying had finally tapered off, he offered a soft, quiet suggestion.

"You can talk when you're ready, but if you want, we can stay here until you're okay. Just take your time." His voice was gentle, a little raw. He was hurting too. Watching Sophie break in front of him tore at him more than he wanted to admit.

Sophie didn't respond immediately, but Keefe noticed her grip on her knees loosening, her breathing starting to even out. She was exhausted, emotionally drained from the storm of emotions she had gone through in the past hour.

She sniffled a few times, wiping at her eyes. "I don't even know what to say..." Sophie's voice was hoarse, fragile, as if speaking would shatter her completely.

Keefe shifted closer, careful not to overwhelm her. "You don't have to say anything right now. I know it's hard... I know it feels impossible, but it's not your fault. You're not the one who ruined this."

Sophie's eyes met his, and for the briefest moment, the sorrow and confusion faded from her face, replaced by something else—something softer, more vulnerable. She finally spoke, her words barely above a whisper.

"I thought... I thought he loved me," she said, her voice trembling. "I gave him everything, and he—he betrayed me."

Keefe's heart twisted in his chest. He wanted to take away all of her pain, wanted to make it disappear, but he couldn't. All he could do was be there for her. "He didn't deserve you, Sophie," he said quietly, the words heavy with conviction. "You're worth so much more than what he gave you."

Sophie didn't respond, but the way she clung to his words, the way her shoulders shuddered, told Keefe that they were helping. Even just a little bit. He stayed with her for as long as she needed, offering her the comfort of his presence, while silently wishing he could make everything right.