The scene shifted from cold isolation to a poignant moment of sisterly bonding. Despite the betrayal, the blood tie between Alia and Sofia proved too strong to ignore.
Scene: Sisterly Reunion and Alia's Regret
A dim, silvery light filtered through the large bedroom window, casting long shadows. Sofia remained half-reclined on the bed, her body unclothed, wrapped only in a thin white sheet. Her wet hair was strewn across her back, a testament to the harrowing psychological and physical ordeal Victor, the Lord, had put her through.
Her eyes were bloodshot, but the tears had dried, replaced by a vacant stare directed at the ceiling. Droplets of water still glistened on her skin—perhaps from a desperate attempt to wash away the feeling of the night.
A soft, frantic knocking broke the silence.
Tap... tap... tap...
"Sofia? Will you open the door? I know you're awake. Please, talk to me," Alia whispered from the other side. Sofia didn't move. Her jaw tightened under the sheet.
"I know you hate me," Alia's voice cracked with emotion. "But I had no choice. I've brought food and medicine. Please, open the door."
Sofia slowly turned her head toward the door, a poisonous smirk touching her lips. "Medicine? I wouldn't be surprised if you brought poison, Sister. You handed me over to Victor, and now you show 'mercy' from behind a locked door?"
Guilt-ridden and unable to bear Sofia's silence any longer, Alia pulled a duplicate key from her dress. She checked the hallway for Victor's guards, then unlocked the door and slipped inside.
Seeing Sofia lying there, shivering and broken, shattered Alia's heart. She rushed to the bedside and pulled Sofia into a tight embrace. Alia began to kiss Sofia's forehead and hair frantically, her tears falling onto Sofia's bare shoulder.
Alia (Sobbing):
"My sister... oh, my poor sister! Please forgive me. Let me look at you—that dog Victor, how much did he hurt you? I may be CIA, but I am your big sister first. Seeing you like this is tearing my soul apart."
She took Sofia's hand from beneath the sheet and pressed it against her cheek, showering it with kisses. Sofia, initially stiff as a stone, slowly softened as she felt the warmth of Alia's genuine tears.
Sofia (In a hollow voice):
"Why are you kissing me now, Sister? Where was this love when Victor was dragging me by my hair? You were the one who told him to take me away."
Alia cupped Sofia's face in both hands and kissed her cheeks again with deep affection.
Alia:
"That was an act, you fool! If I hadn't calmed him down, he would have killed you right there. I needed to get you away from the prying eyes so I could help you. Dimitri is outside, pacing like a madman. Believe me, Sofia, we will get you out of this hell."
Sofia looked into Alia's eyes. There was no cunning left—only raw love and regret. Sofia realized that even in this house of monsters, their blood could never truly be at war.Sofia gripped Alia's hand tightly, old dreams flickering in her eyes.
Sofia (in a whisper):
"Sister, will I never get married to Dimitri? Remember that night on the ship? When he knelt before everyone... Victor took the engagement ring, but he can't take those memories, can he? Is it all over for us?"
Alia wiped her tears, pressing Sofia's hand against her cheek.
Alia:
"No, Sofia, it's not over. Dimitri still loves you with his life. He might be unable to touch you now out of fear of Victor, but he's desperate for you every second. That engagement wasn't a lie. Dimitri will fight, and so will I. Just stay strong."
She kissed Sofia's forehead again, adjusting the sheet.
Alia:
"Victor tried to break your body, but he hasn't touched your soul. You are a DGFI agent, and you are Dimitri's love. If you give up, Dimitri loses too. We will get you out, and that wedding will happen—not on a ship, but under a free sky."
Sofia smiled weakly, but the sound of heavy boots approaching the door froze her blood.
Scene: Terror and the Great Hide
"Sister! He's coming!" Sofia hissed. "If he sees you here, he'll kill us both!"
Alia, using her CIA instincts, realized there was no exit. She quickly climbed onto the bed beside Sofia.
Alia (Urgent): "Don't be afraid, I'm here. He won't see you."
Alia leaned over Sofia, shielding her. Alia's hair was exceptionally long, flowing past her waist. Sofia's hair was equally long and thick. Alia spread her tresses so that they merged with Sofia's, creating a massive shroud of black silk that covered Sofia's entire face and body. From the door, it looked like nothing more than a pile of hair and sheets.
The door creaked open. Victor entered, a glass of liquor in hand. He stared at the bed with suspicion.
Victor (in a heavy voice):
"Sofia... still staring at the ceiling? I knew you wouldn't forget my punishment easily. Your long hair looks especially defiant today, just like you."
Beneath the sheets, Alia squeezed Sofia's hand. Sofia held her breath, her heart pounding so hard she feared Victor might hear it. Victor took a sip and walked toward the wardrobe to change, humming a dark tune.
Victor:
"Tomorrow morning, you'll have a final reckoning with Dimitri. Be ready."
Dimitri's Move and Victor's Exit
Just as Victor moved closer to the bed, a deafening crash echoed from downstairs—like an expensive chandelier shattering—followed by Dimitri's roar.
Dimitri (Screaming from below):
"You bastard! How dare you lay a hand on me? Victor! Where are you? Control your bodyguards, or I'll turn this place into a bloodbath tonight!"
Victor froze, his hand inches away from the tangle of hair. He scowled, his jaw tightening.
Victor (Annoyed):
"That boy will never learn. His obsession with Sofia is dragging our family name through the mud."
He cast one last lingering look at the bed, sensing something was off, but the chaos below was too great. He slammed his glass onto the table and stormed out. In his haste, he pulled the door shut but failed to lock it.
Alia let out a breath and moved off Sofia.
Alia (Whispering):
"Sofia, Dimitri is staged a riot downstairs to lure him away. This is our chance. He forgot to lock the door. Wrap yourself tightly in this sheet."
Sofia sat up, her hair a tangled mess. She realized Dimitri was risking his life to create this window.
Sofia:
"Will he kill Dimitri, Sister? You know how Victor gets when he loses his temper."
Alia:
"Dimitri can handle him. Get ready. I'll watch the balcony. While Victor is busy fighting Dimitri, we need to disappear from this room."
From below, the sounds of Dimitri's shouting and Victor's deep, booming threats grew louder. Dimitri was likely smashing Victor's favorite furniture to keep him occupied as long as possible.A few days later, the situation appeared calmer on the surface, but underneath, the tension was razor-sharp.
Viktor believed he had Sofia under control.
Sofia, however, had already begun playing a different game with her DGFI mind.
Scene: The Golf Course — Sofia's Countermove
The morning was bright and elegant. The vast golf course of the Alexeyevich estate shimmered under the sun. Sofia stood there in a stunning white golf outfit—short skirt and fitted T-shirt—looking exactly like a professional player. Her long hair was tied in a neat ponytail.
Under a shaded umbrella sat Viktor, pride and authority written across his face. Beside him, Alia watched nervously, while Dmitri stared at Sofia with intense awareness.
Dmitri knew something important:
Sofia was most dangerous when she looked calm.
Sofia took position with the golf stick. She knew Viktor was observing her closely. He had tried to reduce her into nothing more than a captive, a body under his control.
Today, Sofia wanted to remind him—
She was not a prisoner. She was a player on the field.
She looked at the ball… then briefly at Viktor… and smiled.
She swung.
But the ball did not go toward the target.
It flew straight toward Viktor's table and smashed into his expensive wine glass.
Crash!
The glass shattered into pieces. Dark red wine splashed over Viktor's white pants and costly shoes.
Sofia covered her mouth dramatically.
"Oh my God! Oops… I am so sorry, Viktor! The shot went too strong. I didn't even notice it would come your way."
Viktor stood up instantly. A line of anger appeared on his calm face. Dmitri hid a smile. Alia turned pale.
Sofia walked toward Viktor with complete composure, took out a handkerchief, and pretended to wipe the wine from his pants.
She whispered so only he could hear:
"Lord Viktor… this was just a golf ball. Hitting, breaking, crushing — I learned those things from you, remember? A glass broke today. Maybe something bigger will break next."
Viktor grabbed her wrist tightly.
"You did this on purpose. You're testing how far my patience goes."
Dmitri quickly stepped in.
"Come on, brother. She's new to the game. Mistakes happen. Go inside and change."
Sofia gave Dmitri a subtle look.
She was no longer the girl who cried in bed.
She was playing openly now.
The Emotional Turn — Two Sisters
After Viktor stormed away, Sofia sat quietly on a bench at the edge of the field. Alia came and sat beside her, holding her 8-month-old baby who was crying uncontrollably.
Sofia looked at the baby and sighed deeply.
"Apu… why is the baby crying like this?"
Alia wiped her tears.
"The stress… the tension… I've fallen sick. The doctor said my milk has dried up because of stress. He's hungry, but I can't feed him. He refuses formula."
Sofia's expression changed instantly. She gently took the baby into her arms.
The baby stopped crying the moment he felt her touch.
Sofia spoke softly, emotionally,
"You know after my accident two years ago, my body went through hormonal changes. I still have milk. I can feed him. I can't just sit here as his aunt while he cries from hunger."
Alia looked at her in shock and gratitude.
"But you're unmarried… what if Viktor finds out?"
Sofia replied calmly,
"Let him. The baby is innocent. He doesn't know if his father is a lord or a mafia. He only knows he's hungry."
She covered herself and the baby with a shawl and held him close. Within moments, the baby became peaceful and fed quietly.
Alia gently stroked Sofia's head.
Two women who almost became enemies two years ago were now united by a helpless child.
Sofia realized something:
To save this family, she had to stand not only as an agent…
but as a mother and a sister.
Viktor Enters — Jealousy and Anger
Just then, Viktor returned after changing clothes.
From a distance, he saw the scene.
Sofia… holding his child… feeding him.
Something twisted inside him — jealousy, anger, something darker.
He walked forward.
"Alia! What is happening here? You can't handle your own child that Sofia has to do this?"
The baby startled and stopped feeding.
Sofia covered herself but looked at Viktor with visible hatred.
"What exactly is your problem, Viktor? The child was hungry. Your wife is sick. Will you now show your lordship to a starving infant?"
Viktor stepped closer, jaw tight.
"I don't want my blood gaining strength from another woman's body. You came here as Dmitri's fiancée, not to play mother to my child. Alia, take the baby from her. Now."
Alia hesitated.
But Sofia did not let go. She held the baby tighter.
"He is calm now. I won't hand him over until he is fed. You may be a lord, Viktor, but you have no control over nature. The more you try to break us, the more nature will unite us."
Dmitri's Rebellion — Brother Against Brother
Dmitri could not stay silent anymore.
He stepped between them like a wall.
"Enough, Viktor. Not one step forward. You may rule the city, but here you are a father and a brother. Let her be."
Viktor froze. Dmitri had never spoken to him like this.
"Watch your tone."
"Tone? My child was hungry. Sofia fed him. Is that a crime? Or does it hurt your ego that the woman you tried to turn into stone still has more humanity than you?"
Alia, trembling, sat beside Sofia.
Sofia looked at Dmitri with gratitude.
Then she looked at Viktor.
"You love darkness because you cannot tolerate light. You lost today, Viktor. Your own child found peace in me, not in your power."
Viktor wanted to respond, but he saw the fire in Dmitri's eyes.
He threw his glass away in frustration.
"Fine. Your emotions will destroy you one day. Sofia, this will not end well for you."
He walked away.
Dmitri knelt in front of Sofia and gently touched her hand.