Her Divorce, His Downfall (Sophia and Damian) novel Chapter 85

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< Her Divorce, His Downfall

Chapter 85

His usually sharp, handsome face looked worn with exhaustion. A faint stubble shadowed his jaw.

The moment he saw Sophia awake, his cold eyes lit up—like ice finally thawing-softening with relief.

He stared at her, his voice hoarse.

“Sophia… you’re awake.”

The nightmare still clung to her.

It had felt so real-so real she’d thought she was dead, dragged straight into hell.

And now, the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes…

was Julian.

The one who had always protected her.

Her heart had been racing wildly, like it might burst out of her chest. Now, little by little, it began to settle.

She was still alive.

This time… Julian had saved her. 1/7

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< Chapter 85

A surge of emotion rose in her chest, her eyes turning red.

Then the memories came crashing back-

Damian’s cruelty.

The times he’d nearly gotten her killed… all for Isabelle.

It felt like something sharp had pierced straight through her chest, the pain so intense it was hard to breathe.

Her vision blurred instantly.

Without thinking, she threw herself into Julian’s arms and broke

down.

“I dreamed I was in hell… I thought I was dead…”

Her voice trembled as she clutched his shirt, sobbing uncontrollably.

“I was so scared… I thought I’d never see you again…”

Seeing the girl he had cherished since childhood crying like she might collapse in his arms—

Julian’s hands clenched into fists before he pulled her tightly against him.

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< Chapter 85

So tight his knuckles turned white.

******

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The last time Bradley was traveling through Europe with his family, they stopped by to visit him.

That day, Julian had seen something on Theodore’s phone-

A trending headline that had taken all of New York by storm:

[Mr. Hall Spends a Fortune to Make His Sweetheart Smile]

That was when he realized-Damian had changed.

He still remembered—

When Sophia was five, she had gone to the Hall Residence and ended up crying her eyes out after Damian messed with her.

Back then, Julian was thirteen.

Still in middle school, busy preparing for a math competition.

Her loud, relentless crying had given him a headache.

He had stormed out of his room, intending to chase her away.

He walked up to the soft, doll-like girl-fair and delicate¬then34

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< Chapter 85

crouched down in front of her, putting on a fierce expression.

“Hey, kid. Stop crying. You’re being annoying.”

Maybe it was the cold edge in his voice.

The moment Sophia saw him, she froze.

Her crying stopped instantly.

Julian looked at her.

Her eyes were wide and watery, her little nose twitching as she tried so hard not to cry-but she was clearly on the verge of breaking again.

Like if he raised his voice even a little, the tears would come spilling right back out.

Something in his chest softened.

Just like that, he couldn’t keep up the act anymore.

…Forget it. Why am I even bothering with a kid?

If I scare her off, people are going to say the Hall family bullies children.

He dropped the stern look, his expression softening. ■ 14:34

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< Chapter 85

Gently, he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m… Sophia Anderson.”

Sophia blinked up at him, her voice small and soft.

“My mom is with Catherine. She told me to go play by myself.”

In New York City, there were only a handful of families close to the Halls.

An Anderson girl around her age…

It didn’t take long for Julian to place her.

She had to be Michael Anderson’s daughter-the second branch of the rising Anderson family.

Michael had married Elaine, the only daughter of the prestigious Moore family in Washington.

Their wedding had been a grand affair.

Even Julian, still a kid back then, had been invited.

He hadn’t expected their daughter to be this grown already.

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< Chapter 85

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Julian repeated her name, almost thoughtfully.

“Sophia…”

Then he smiled, just a little, and held out his hand.

“You’ve been crying for a while. You must be thirsty. Come on- I’ll get you some water.”

Sophia nodded.

The next second, she grabbed his hand and jumped straight into his arms.

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