8 At the hospital, specialists confirmed Sophia was fine. But she kept clinging to Benjamin, whining, "Ben, my chest hurts. My legs are jelly, I can't walk." Her lips brushed his neck-deliberate, seductive. "Daddy, Aunt Sophia must be so scared. You gotta protect her!" "Yeah! Don't cry, Aunt Sophia. Olivia will stay with you too!" Hearing the kids defend her, Benjamin's heart softened. Honestly, ever since Sophia returned, Ella had made things hard for her. Maybe she really had it rough. He gave in and scooped her into his arms. With one man and two kids fawning over her, Sophia was carried back to the French-style villa Benjamin had gifted her. He set her on the couch, but she wrapped her arms tight around his neck. "Ben, don't let go. I'm scared. Hold me, kiss me. With your love, maybe I'll feel better..." Her pitiful tone, her eyes brimming with devotion-it was enough to break anyone. But Benjamin stayed firm. He clasped her hand, his voice gentle yet unyielding. "I told you, Sophia. You can have anything-except this. We're just friends." "Friends?" Her face twisted with resentment. "But that night at the club, we crossed the line. I feel so awful, can't you be nicer to me? Please, Ben, love me one more time. I've always loved you!" Instead of answering, Benjamin's eyes sharpened. "About that night... were you really drugged?" "Or was it someone else who was?" His self-control had always been iron. After breaking up with Sophia, he'd been shattered-until he met me. That's when he decided: I would be Sophia's stand-in. I would bear her child as a memento. In return, he swore he'd never betray me. He'd treat me well for life. Even when Sophia came back, he hadn't planned to break that promise. Too much had passed. To him, she was only a friend. That night at the club-his loss of control-wasn't planned. Looking back, it felt less like passion, more like someone had poured gasoline on a spark. Having seen me drugged before, he knew Sophia wasn't really acting like she'd been drugged. Still, he'd told himself he'd wronged Sophia too, that she was a victim. So he let it go. But now she was pushing for more. He couldn't ignore it anymore. 'I..." Sophia froze, blindsided by the question. Her throat tightened, panic rising. She knew Benjamin too well. If he ever learned the truth-that she'd set him up-there would be no second chance. The more she panicked, the less she could come up with a lie. Benjamin's eyes grew colder. Suspicion sharpened. 12:31 1.2% Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!