I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 20

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**

Sophie found herself utterly baffled by the conversation, but she chose to let it slide for the moment. The atmosphere in the car fell into a hushed stillness, a quiet that enveloped them both for a brief span of time before Liam broke the silence. “You comfortable back there?” he asked, his voice laced with a hint of concern.

“Yes,” Sophie replied softly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“He’s not angry with you,” Liam reassured her, his tone gentle yet firm. Sophie met his gaze in the rear-view mirror, catching a fleeting glimpse of his expression before he redirected his focus to the road. The silence that followed felt heavy, laden with unspoken words and emotions. Sophie remained silent, and Liam offered no further comments, leaving an invisible wall between them.

As they drew nearer to Hope House, Sophie felt her heart begin to race, each beat echoing louder in her ears. “This is my block,” she announced, surprised at how steady her voice sounded despite the turmoil inside her.

“Okay,” Liam replied, his voice steady. “Which house?” he inquired, his curiosity evident.

A wave of panic crashed over Sophie. Her mind raced, desperately searching for an alternative, a way to avoid the inevitable. But, ultimately, she slumped back into her seat, surrendering to the reality of the situation. “Hope House,” she murmured, her eyes fixed on the dashboard, unwilling to confront the look she feared would be on his face.

The car fell into an oppressive silence. Moments later, Liam shifted the vehicle into park right outside Hope House. He remained quiet, the tension palpable in the air. Sophie stole a glance at him, finding him staring straight ahead, lost in thought. Time to make her escape, she thought, her mind racing with a mix of dread and determination.

“Thank you so much for bringing me here,” she said, her voice surprising herself once again with its clarity. “I don’t suppose there’s any way to keep this just between us?” she asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Liam remained silent, his expression unreadable. Finally, he swung open his door and stepped out. He walked around to her side and opened the door for her. Sophie hesitated for a moment, then climbed out, feeling the weight of the coat she was still wearing. As he shut the door behind her, she felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. Unsure of where to go next, she instinctively walked toward the front door of the house. Liam lingered by the passenger side, leaning against the vehicle, his presence a comforting yet painful reminder of the moment.

“Sophie,” he called out just as she reached the door. She turned back to him, and her heart sank at the sorrow etched across his face. “I can’t. I’m sorry,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Sophie felt a lump form in her throat, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she opened the door and stepped inside Hope House, refusing to look back.

Once inside, Sophie bypassed the dining area and headed straight for her room. Relief washed over her as she noticed it was empty. She sank onto her bed, suddenly aware of the suit coat draped over her shoulders, Torin’s coat that felt like a tangible reminder of everything she was trying to escape.

Frustration bubbled within her. She would have to hide it, she decided. Just as she was about to remove the coat, the door swung open, prompting her to spring to her feet. She hastily took off the coat and tucked it beneath her pillow, sitting in front of it like a child hiding a secret. Her roommate glanced at her but said nothing, merely retrieving something from her drawer before leaving the room again.

Sophie quickly knelt down and stashed the coat with her other belongings. When she stood up, her gaze fell upon a note resting on the dresser. Curiosity piqued, she picked it up and recognized Amy’s handwriting. It was an invitation to meet at dinner to discuss something important. A sigh escaped her lips; the last thing she wanted was to join the dinner crowd, but she knew she had no choice. Oddly enough, though she expected her stomach to grumble with hunger, it felt numb, mirroring her emotions. With a resigned heart, she left her room and made her way to the dining area.

As soon as she entered, her eyes landed on Amy and Olivia. The bright smile on Amy’s face signaled that something positive had unfolded. Sophie grabbed a plate of food and settled down beside them, managing to take several bites while Amy animatedly spoke.

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