Redeemed by the billionaire

"Where's Ethan?" Camellia asked, her brows knitting together as she glanced around the glittering ballroom. The crowd was alive with laughter and conversation, glasses clinking under the dazzling chandeliers of the Crawford mansion.

Sophie forced a smile, ignoring the pang of disappointment that tugged at her chest. "I'm sure he's just a step away to receive a call."

Her friend gave her a disapproving hum. Everyone else, but Sophie could see that Ethan wasn't worth all her love, time and efforts. Even when Cameilla tried opening her eyes to it, Sophie would always defends him.

"Love is sacrifice." Sophie would always say. A word she had used more than necessary in comforting herself.

Sophie barely noticed Camellia expression as she excused herself. The hem of her emerald gown swishing around her ankles. Today was supposed to be perfect for her and Ethan. She had spent weeks planning this anniversary celebration -a party to honor three years of marriage, her love and devotion on full display for the world to see.

But Ethan was no where to be found.

She moved through the throngs of guests, offering polite smile and excuses as she searched for her husband. Panic bubbled beneath the surface, but she shoved It away.

"He's probably handling work," she reassured herself, even though the nagging doubts whispered otherwise.

Finally, Sophie reached the grand staircase leading to their private rooms. A faint unease curled up in her stomach as she ascended the stairs.

Then she heard it.

Soft, muffled moans carried through the air, growing louder as she approached their bedroom. Sophie froze, her hands hovering over the door knob.

No..... It can't be. This can't be happening. Sophie shook her head vigorously as if that would deny the reality happening before her.

The moans grew louder, punctuated by a loud throaty cry that made her blood run cold.

With trembling and sweaty hands, she pushed the door open.

There, on their matrimonial bed, Ethan was tangled with Belinda. Her arms were draped over his shoulders, her head throw back in mock ectasy, while Ethan thrust into her, with an intensity that made Sophie stomach churn.

"Ethan," Sophie whispered, her voice barely audible over the roaring in her ears.

The sound of her voice snapped them out of their pleasureable moments. Belinda smirked, lazily adjusting the sheet to cover herself while, Ethan turn to face his wife with an air of irritation, not guilt.

"Sophie," he said, his tone as casual as if she had caught him reading a book instead. "I didn't expect you to come up here."

Her heart heaved with betrayal, shattering into pieces as tears streamed down her face. "What are you doing?" She asked, her voice trembling with anger and pain. "On our bed. On our anniversary."

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his disheavealed hair. "Do we really have to do this now?"

Sophia blinked, her fury mounting. "You're asking me that? After what I just walked in on?"

Belinda chuckled, leaning against the pillow as if she owned the place. "Oh, come on, Sophie. Don't act so surprised. Do you really think you can keep a man like Ethan happy?"

Sophia's gaze snapped to Ethan, tears streaming down her face. "I gave up everything for you. My career, my whole life-I dedicated my everything to you. And this is how you repay me?"

Ethan shrugged, walking to the dresser as if the conversation bored him. "I was going to wait until tomorrow but since you are here....."

He pulled out a envelope and handed it over to her.

Sophie stared at it, her hands trembling as she unfolded the content. Her heart plummeted.

"Divorce papers," she whispered.

Ethan nodded, his expression as cold and unfeeling as ever. "Let's not drag this out, Sophie. You've served your purpose. It's time to move on."

Her entire body shook with rage and disbelief. "Served my purpose?" she repeated, her voice rising. "I stood by you through everything."

Ethan's lips curled into a smirk. "And I appreciated it. But this marriage has run it's course. Sign it and be a good wife one last time."

Sophie stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. The man she had loved for three years was a stranger. A cruel, heartless stranger. She had loved him, build her life around him.

The insults from his family? She swallowed them down.

The sleepless night that she waited for him? She endured them.

The loneliness? She buried it under the facade of perfection.

She even befriended Belinda, Ethan's ex-fiancée, swallowing her insecurities every time Belinda's name slipped into a conversation or a photo of them together surfaced.

She hid her identity as a Bennett- a dynasty whose name alone can shake the business world and also sacrificed her career as one of the youngest and brightest business analyst in the country because she didn't want him to be overshadowed.

Although their marriage wasn't rosy, but she had believed that one day, he would come to see everything and eventually love her. But it was crystal clear now: even if she set herself up on fire for him, he wouldn't even notice the flame.

"Ethan," her voice steady, despite the tears streaming down her face. "You'll regret this."

With a shaky hand, she retrieved a pen on the desk, and scrambled her signature on the pen. She dropped the papers onto the floor, turning on her heel and walking out of the room, her head held high. Ethan and Belinda mocking laughter trailed behind her as she walked away, tears blurring her vision.

Descending the staircase, she signaled to the DJ to stop the music. "Everyone," she began, her voice cutting through the murmurs."Thanks for coming. The party is over."

Confusion rippled through the crowd as guests started to leave.

Camellia walked towards Sophie. "What happened?" She asked concern etched in her voice.

Sophie couldn't find her voice, instead she leaned into her friend's embrace, sobbing silently while Camellia, confused but supportive, patted her back gently.

Sophie's phone buzzed in her hand. Pulling away, Sophie glanced at the message from her aunt.

"Sophie, how long will you keep humiliating yourself for that man. Come back home now. It isn't too late."

"Cameilla," she called softly. "It's time to go home."

"Home?" Cameilla repeated."But I can't leave you in this state, and not without you telling me what happened," she added, thinking Sophie was referring to her.

"Not you, Cam. It's time for me to go back to my family."

"Oh.... Did something happen with Ethan? But....why would you go to the countryside. What would you be doing there?"

"I'm not going to the countryside," Cameilla took a deep breath. "I'm going to the Burnett's mansion."

Camellia blinked the name not registering at first. Then her eyes widened. "You mean, the same famous Burnett?"

Sophie nodded, her resolve hardening. "They are my family."

Camellia's jaw dropped, her gasps echoing in the now empty ballroom. "But you always said that last name was just a coincidence." Why did you hide that?"

"Because...." Sophie's voice trembled, raw with pain. "I wanted people to love me for me-not for my family's name or wealth."

Sitting in the backseat of the cab as it sped through the quiet streets of Belgium. Sophie sighed deeply, her mind racing with the memories of the choices that brought her to this point. Her father's words still echoed in her mind, but they can't seem to erase the bitterness of the past.

"If you don't marry him, I'll disown you," Richard Burnett threatened.

Of course, he doesn't mean it, but Sophie had taken his words seriously and walked out of the mansion without a second thought. Even when her aunt had done everything to bring her back, she still refused.

"I didn't leave because I hated them," she muttered to herself. "I left because I hated the future they choose for me."

Her fingers tightened on her laps, the smooth fabric of her gown crumpling under her grip.

It wasn't that she despised the man her father had chosen for her to marry-Alexander Beaumont, the heir to a rival family's business empire. He was handsome, and wealthy, but Sophie had hated the control of her family. They choose literally everything for her, down to her friends and even her course of study- she had wanted to study medicine, but instead her father forced her to study business administration.

Sophie wanted more. She had swore that she would choose the man she would marry herself, so when she met Ethan, she thought she had found it. He was charming, ambitious, and unlike the world she had grown up in. She fell in love with the version of him who promised her freedom and a life built on love, not business alliances or power plays.

But now, staring at the remnants of her broken marriage, she couldn't help but wonder if her father had been right all along.

Her phone buzzed in her clutch pulling her away from her thoughts. She glanced down at the screen-it was Cameilla, probably calling to check on her. Sophie let it go into voicemail. She needed a moment to collect her thoughts.

As the cab pulled into the parking lot of a nearby hotel where she planned to stay the night, Sophie wiped away her tears as she felt the first flicker of hope. She would figure this out. She always did.

But as she stepped out of the car, the sound of hurried footsteps made her turn. Two men in uniform approached her, their expression grim.

"Mrs Crawford," one of the men asked.

She frowned, the name she would kill for in the past, suddenly disgust her. "Yes."

"You are under arrest for your embezzlement scheme at Crawford enterprise."

Sophie froze, the blood draining off her face. "What! That's ridiculous! I have nothing to do with Ethan's company affairs."

The officer didn't flinch. "Ma'am, we have reason to believe that you signed a document tonight which was an attempt to transfer illegal funds under your name. You'll need to come with us," he said, holding a document that Sophie had never even seen before, but her signature was scrambled legibly across it.

"Ethan," she said between gritted teeth. It was enough that he cheated, divorced her and now he wants her to take the fall for his crimes.

Shock and anger coursed through her, but she forced herself to stay calm. "This is a misunderstanding. I'll cooperate, but let me make a call first."

The officers exchanged a look first, before nodding and stepping aside. With a trembling hand, she reached for the phone, and dialed the one number that she knows could help her.

Her father answered on the second ring. "Sophie."

"Dad," she said, her voice shaking. "I need your help," desperation clawed her voice as she didn't even wait for her father's response. "The police think I'm involved in some embezzlement scheme with Ethan's company. They're taking me in."

There was a long pause, then Richard's voice turned steely. "Where are you?"

"Gerrald court," she choked out the name of the hotel.

Richard responded without hesitation. "Stay calm. Don't say anything until my lawyer gets there. I'll handle it."

The call ended and Sophie allowed the officer to lead her to their car. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she clung to her father's words like a lifeline. Richard would save her- she's his precious daughter afterall.

Hours later, Sophie was seated in a cold, sterile interrogation room, her nerves frayed. The police men had asked her a barrage of questions about the illegal funds, none she could answer, because she had no idea of Ethan's shady dealings.

When the door finally opened, Sophie felt alive. Her family's lawyer, Eleanor Rhodes, a high-profile, no nonsense woman entered with a confident stride.

"You're free to go Miss Burnett," the lawyer said, her tone firm. "Your father and I clarified the situation. The charges won't stick, but you'll need to be careful moving forward."

Sophie nodded, shoulders sagged, and she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Thank you."

Eleanor Rhodes didn't reply. She only escorted her outside, where a sleek black Benz was waiting. Richard leaned against it, his expression unreadable.

"Dad," Sophie began, her voice trembling, but he held up a hand silencing her

"Not here," he said curtly. "Let's go home."

The Burnett mansion looked even grander than Sophie remembered as they pulled up the driveway. The sprawling estate was illuminated by soft golden lights, its beauty almost mocking her disheveled state.

When she stepped inside, she was immediately enveloped in the warmth of her mum's embrace.

"Sophie," Freya said, her voice thick with emotions. "You are home."

Sophie's heart tightened, tears sliding down her face as she hugged her mum back. "I'm sorry for leaving," she whispered.

her mum pulled back, cupping her face. "You're back now. And that's all that matters."

Richard cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Sophie has been through a lot today. Let her rest, we will talk more in the morning."

Sophie nodded gratefully and allowed a maid to lead her to one of the guest rooms. It felt strange to be treated like a visitor in the place she had once called home, but she was too exhausted to dwell on it.

The next morning, Sophie woke up to the sound of birds chirping next her window. For a moment, she forgot where she was, but the events of the previous day came rushing back.

After refreshing, she made her way to the dining, where her parents are already seated, her heart heavy but her resolve gathering.

"Good morning," Richard greeted, his tone softer than she had expected.

"Morning, Dad," Sophie replied, sitting back.

her mum poured her a cup of tea. "I had always known that bastard was up to no good," her tone hardened as she referenced to Ethan. Then her tone softened. "We are glad you're back home. We'll do everything we can to help you rebuild."

Sophie hesitated, then nodded. "I don't know where to start...."

Richard leaned forward and interrupted. "You don't have to think too much about it. You're a Burnett, Sophie. It's time to remind everyone of that."

A spark of determination lit in her chest. "You're right. I've spent too long living in someone else shadow."

Richard might not show it, but deep down he was happy to have his baby girl back. He pulled out his phone, dialling his personal assistant."John," he said when the call connected, "I need you to make an announcement. The youngest daughter of the Burnett Group is back."

A week later

10am

Ethereal Touch cosmetics company parking lot.

Sophie had spent the past week staying indoors to make a draft out her plans for the future, her revenge on Ethan but today she decided to show up at her father's company.

She tried to calm her nerves before stepping out of the car, her trembling hands clasped together as she took a deep breath.

Today marked her first public appearance in three years. In the past, Sophie had little interest in the business world or the family companies, which had always left her in the shadow of her brothers' fame. But now that she was back, she was determined to make her presence known and seize every opportunity to make her mark.

The old chauffeur who held the door opened, smiled down at her- even he can feel her uneasiness. "Miss Burnett," he called softly, jolting her out of her reverie.

She glanced up at him, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Josh." She exhaled again before stepping out of the car.

Sophie walked towards the private entrance, avoiding the main one where a throng of journalists had gathered, eager to snap pictures and grab interviews with the youngest daughter of the Burnett family. Despite her father's suggestion to introduce her to the public, Sophie had refused; she wasn't ready yet or perhaps she wasn't strong enough yet.

As she got off the elevator, she was greeted with an unexpected sight that almost made her jumped out of her wits.

"Good morning, Miss Burnett," the throngs of employees chorused.

She steadied herself before responding. "Good morning, everyone." She forced a smile, before quickly disappearing from the hallway and entered into her office.

She sighed, leaning against the door. How's she supposed to handle the overwhelming fame and responsibilities? She had been so accustomed to her role as a housewife that this world felt foreign.

Walking around the room, she admired the exquisite decor, eventually stopping by the window to gaze at the Belgium skyline.

Ethan crossed her mind again. That bastard. If she were to still be in the Crawford mansion by now, she'd be probably making breakfast or tidying up the house. She stared down at her roughned fingers, and a tear slipped down her cheeks.

Why couldn't he love her? Why wasn't she enough for him? But then just as quickly as it came, the thoughts vanished replaced by anger and hatred as her resolve hardened. She'll make him pay.

A knock came on the door. Quickly, she wiped away the tears and called out, her voice steady.

Cameilla came inside. A smile tugged at Sophie's lips as she walked into her embrace. "Hey Sophie," Cameilla held her tightly. "Thank you for giving me this job."

"It's fine, Sophie. I can't think of anyone else to be my personal assistant other than you." Sophie had reached out to Camellia the day before, offering her the position, and Camellia had accepted without hesitation.

They disengage from the hug, and took a seat. Camellia noticed Sophie's melancholy and squeezed her hands gently.

"Sophie," she called softly. "Forget about that bastard-he doesn't even deserve you."

Sophie nodded, forcing a smile. "I will. It's....." her voice broke, tears streaming down. "It's just hurt. I wasted three years of my life, Cam. Three years loving him shamelessly, ignoring the snide remarks and condescension from people."

"It's fine. You shouldn't be the one hurting, Sophie. Let him be the one to suffer."

Sophie wiped off the tears, smiling weakly. "You're right."

Camellia grinned. "Good. Now, we're going to the club tonight. No arguments."

Though hesitant, Sophie relented, laughing as they reminisced about old times.

After a while, Cameilla excused herself-she needed to see her brother. Although he has been busy with school and all that, but it's strange that he hasn't come to see her since she got back.

As she stepped into the hallway, her eyes drifted to Xander Burnett, the eldest son office. She had the intention of going in, but as she approached, she heard the hushed voices of a few employees.

"Did you hear? She's back, after all these years," one lady whispered, her voice thick with judgement.

"Yeah," another chimed in, "probably thinks she can just waltz in here and take over because her daddy's famous. How long until she ruins everything?"

The words stung more than Sophie anticipated. She pressed her lips together, trying to stay calm and to not let their whispers get to her. But the whispers won't go away.

"She's not cut out for this," the first voice came again. "What makes her think she can suddenly handle everything when she can't even manage her own Life?"

Sophia's hand tightened around the door handle, she didn't open it. But just as she turned to walk away, she bumped into someone-hard.

Startled, Sophie looked up ready to apologise, only to freeze when she saw who it was.

"Sophie! Alexander!!" They both chorused.

Alexander Beaumont.

He stood tall and commanding, his sharp, chiseled features framed by an air of quiet confidence. His piercing, deep-set eyes locked onto Sophie, holding an enigmatic allure that made her breath hitch.

"She's still as stunning as ever," he thought, his gaze sweeping over her smooth skin and curvaceous figure. From the moment he stepped into the hallway, his eyes had been drawn to her, lingering on the perfect silhouette-only to realize now it was Sophie.

For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze flicking towards the group of whispering employees and then back to Sophie.

"Seems like you've made quite the impression," he remarked dryly, his tone smooth as silk.

She quickly straightened up, her heart racing. "I-" she stopped, not wanting to show any more vulnerability. "They're entitled to their own opinion," her voice was colder than she had intended. "I'm not here for them."

Alexander didn't seem to be in a hurry to walk away. He stood there, observing her carefully. "Be careful, Miss Burnett. The business world doesn't care about feelings. You have to be tougher to survive."

His words rang in her ears as he walked past her, the faintest trace of a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Sophie stood frozen, her pulse quickening. Encountering her former betrothed, and in her lowest state wasn't exactly a moment of pride.

Finally, she turned and walked away.

******

Camellia and Sophie sat at a table in a dimly lit bar, the hum of chatter and music filling the air. Her mind kept replaying Xander's harsh words, his cold tone cutting deeper than she cared to admit. She stirred her drinks absentmindedly, her gaze distant.

"Sophie, you've barely said a word tonight," Cameilla said, leaning forward. "Are you okay?"

Sophie forced a smile. "I'm fine really. Just a lot on mind."

Camellia wasn't convinced but decided not to push. "You've been through a lot. But you are here now and that's all that mattered."

Sophie nodded. She took a sip of her cocktail hoping it would ease the tightness in her heart.

Moments later, Cameilla's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and sighed. "It's my friend. I promised to meet her for a quick chat. Do you mind if I step out for a bit?"

Sophie shook her head. "Go ahead. I'll be fine."

Cameilla hesistated, then stood up. "Don't run off, okay. I'll be back soon."

As soon as Cameilla left, Sophie exhaled deeply and leaned back on the couch. The alcohol warmed her but doing little to dull the ache in her chest.

"Rough night?"

The smooth, familiar voice made her stiffen. She turned to see Alexander standing by her table, his piercing eyes fixed on her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked , her tone defensive.

"I could ask you the same, but I won't." He took the seat across from her without invitation, his expression calm.

Sophie rolled her eyes but she didn't have the energy to argue. Instead she took another sip of her drink, the alcohol loosening her tongue. "I'm drowning, Alexander," she said softly, surprising even herself.

Alexander leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Tell me."

Sophie hesitated, but the mix of pain and alcohol made it easier to speak. "I thought coming back would fix everything. But...I'm hurting. I don't even know how to face my family anymore."

Alexander listened silently, his eyes never leaving her face. For three years, he seems to still harbour the same feelings for her. In the past she had rejected him, even without meeting eachother once. Maybe he should have chased her then. Maybe he shouldn't have allowed his pride to get the best of him.

Sophie continued. "I gave up everything for him. But now that I'm here to put my life together, it feels like it's too late."

Alexander hands brushed hers. "It's not too late, Sophie."

She looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You don't understand. I'm broken."

"You are not broken, Sophie. You're stronger than you think," Alexander said firmly. "And I understand more than you realise."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the music of the bar fading into the background. Sophie felt a strange comfort in his presence, a warmth she hasn't felt in years.

The alcohol and the emotions swirled inside her and before she could stop herself, she whispered. "Make love to me."

Alexander froze, his eyes widening slightly. No, Sophie. We can't -"

"Please," she interrupted, her voice trembling. "I need to feel something else other than this pain. Just for tonight."