Their Queen's Back - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Skye took Sophia back to their room to sleep, then went into the bathroom to shower.
Sophia glanced nervously around, her eyes growing empty and lifeless. She shrank into the corner, hugging her knees tightly to her chest, lost and overwhelmed by fear.
The curtains fluttered in the wind, startling Sophia. Her terrified gaze darted around the room as vivid memories of past torment flooded her mind.
Sophia's body gradually began to tremble, and tears welled up in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks in large, hot drops.
Snakes, frogs, earthworms, filth, ice water, chili peppers... "What new horrors will they use to torment me this time?" she wondered, anxiety twisting in her chest.
"I'll never forget the searing pain of chili water in my eyes—not as long as I live," Sophia thought.
Skye towel-dried her hair and noticed a musty smell in the room—probably from being closed up for too long. Looks like we can't stay here tonight, she thought.
Not seeing Sophia in the room, Skye assumed she had stepped out—until she turned and spotted the girl curled up in the corner, quietly sobbing.
Skye's pupils constricted sharply, and in an instant, her heart leaped into her throat.
Skye rushed over and knelt beside her. "Sophia, Sophia, what's wrong? Talk to me, please!"
Sophia's eyes were hollow, like a soulless shell.
Skye was alarmed. "How could Sophia, who was fine just moments ago, suddenly break down like this?" she wondered frantically. "Did something trigger her?"
"Sophia, Sophia, can you hear me? It's me, Sis. Look at me, please."
Sophia seemed triggered by the word. She violently shoved Skye away, screaming, "My sister's not dead! My sister's not dead! Get away! Get away from me!"
With her psychological expertise, Skye instantly recognized from Sophia's appearance that she had suffered severe trauma.
Skye reached out and gently pulled Sophia into her embrace. "Sophia, don't be afraid," she murmured. "It's me—your Sis."
Sophia violently shook her head, shrinking back in terror. "No! Don't touch me! Don't touch me! Help! Somebody help me!"
Amid her cries, Sophia suddenly grabbed Skye's hand and sank her teeth into it. Skye didn't make a sound—not even flinching—as she wrapped her other arm around Sophia, pulling her close. In a gentle whisper, she soothed, "Don't be scared. I'm here. No one can hurt you."
Skye didn't know what had triggered Sophia this time, but she was certain it must be linked to past trauma.
The metallic scent of blood jolted Sophia from her trance. Her head snapped up to meet Skye's gaze—panic flashed through her as realization struck, and she instantly let go.
With trembling hands, she clutched her sister's hand, her face streaked with tears.
"No! No, Sis, I didn't mean to! It wasn't on purpose..." Sophia sobbed, her words breaking as she burst into tears.
Sophia flung herself into Skye's arMs. Sky gently stroked her hair and murmured, "Shh... it's okay. It doesn't hurt at all. You're my good girl, sweetheart."
Sophia shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Then suddenly, she began slapping herself hard. "It's me! I hurt you, Sis. I'm sorry... it's all my fault!" she cried.
Skye quickly stopped Sophia from hurting herself and gently held her close. "Sophia, sweetheart, it's okay. I'm here now. It doesn't hurt, really, it doesn't hurt."
Sophia, her face streaked with snot and tears, broke down sobbing: "Sis, sis! They all bullied me! All of them! When I was sixteen, Dad's friend—his buddy—came into my room while I was sleeping. He covered my mouth... I tried to bite him, but he hit me, slapped me. They even put snakes, frogs, so many centipedes in my bed. Dad said he'd throw me an eighteenth birthday party, but then Aunt Lan's cousin tried to take advantage of me. I smashed a vase on his head—there was blood everywhere. But they called me cheap, said I seduced him. Dad kicked me out and gave me nothing. Nothing at all."
Three years ago, it wasn't actually her first encounter with Matthew.
The first time they met was when Sophia was eighteen—wandering the streets alone, penniless and homeless, feeling as if the whole world had abandoned her.
In a daze, she nearly bumped into his car. Without a word, he tossed a wad of cash at her.
Blood streamed down Skye's arm from Sophia's vicious bite, yet she didn't even flinch. But when she heard her sister's words, her eyes brimmed with tears and her whole body seethed with rage.
"Don't worry, Sis. I won't let a single one of them get away with this. I'll make every last one of them pay."
Skye's eyes blazed with bone-chilling fury, her menacing aura erupting in full force.
Just like that, Sophia nestled meekly in her sister's arms, finally calm.
"Let's go back to our rental apartment, shall we?" Skye coaxed gently. "I'll make you a midnight snack. Remember how much you loved my chicken noodles when you were little? We can buy a chicken on the way, and Sophia can help me knead the dough, okay? I'll stew the chicken for you."
Sophia sniffled, memories of happier times from her childhood surfacing in her mind. In that moment, the heavy clouds of fear and darkness in her heart parted slightly, allowing a fragile ray of light to pierce through.
Sophia frantically wiped away her tears. "No, I don't want to eat! Sis, your hand is hurt. Can we please go to the hospital? We need to go!"
Skye said gently, "Alright, let's head to the hospital first."
Skye wrapped her injured hand in a towel. As she and Sophia stepped out, Linda overheard the commotion. A smug grin spread across her face as she watched them leave.
No sooner had Richard and Linda returned to bed than thunderous hammering erupted through the walls, making it utterly impossible for them to sleep.
Before leaving, Skye ordered their rooms to be completely gutted for immediate renovation—the demolition was to start that very night.
Red-eyed, Sophia watched Skye's hand being treated and bandaged, her gaze brimming with guilt.
I hurt Sis... I'm truly a jinx.
"I'm a curse, a walking misfortune," Sophia thought.
Skye said softly, "Hey Sophia, I'm feeling a little thirsty. Would you mind grabbing me a bottle of water?"
Sophia immediately sprang to her feet. Eagerly, she said, "Okay, okay, Sis! I'll get it for you right away."
By the time they returned to the rental apartment, it was already very late. Not wanting to trouble her sister any further after everything that had happened, Sophia quietly said, "I'm not hungry."
Sophia was surprised not to see the chubby landlord this time—he was usually glued to his seat inside, playing video games.
"Alright, you don't need to keep staring at my wound—it doesn't hurt anymore, Sophia. I know it was just a stress response. I don't blame you, and I never have. You're my little sister, my own flesh and blood, so please, stop feeling guilty, okay? If you really want to do something for me, just bring me a basin of warm water for a foot soak."
Sophia nodded vigorously. "Okay, okay, Sis! I'm on it."
At bedtime, Sophia, worried she might toss and turn in her sleep, volunteered to take the couch.
Skye reassured her, "Don't worry, my injured hand is on the outside—you won't touch it. Come on, get in bed. It's late."
"Okay, Sis," she replied obediently.
Sophia wept in her dreams all night long. Skye stayed by her side, gently wiping away her tears over and over again, until she finally drifted into a deep sleep in the early hours of the morning.
Skye dialed Lauren's number. "Dig up everything on Linda's cousin and Richard's inner circle. I want the information on my desk by dawn tomorrow."
Lauren had been drowsy with sleep, but the moment she saw Skye's caller ID, she snapped to full alertness. "Yes, Ms. Sky," she replied promptly.
Skye gazed up at the inky night sky and let out a weary sigh. Out of habit, her hand reached for something, but after taking a deep breath, she found nothing there.
Lauren, I really appreciate everything you've done lately. I'm doubling your bonus.
Ms. Sky, I'm yours—no need to mention it.
Lauren thought to herself, "Following Ms. Sky is the greatest blessing of my life. Without her, who else would pay me this well? Honestly, without her, there wouldn't even be a Lauren."