Justice for Sophie: A Tale That Began with Betrayal
“Why do you let him treat you like this, Sophie? You’re not his property! You’re strong—you can break free,” whispered Emily, curled up on the sofa.
Sophie let out a heavy sigh and murmured in reply,
“He’s my father. And he’s got a signed, stamped document that says ‘unfit’ in black and white. That’s why I’m here. He’s not just some rich man—he’s a man with power. No matter how far I run, he’ll always find me. There’s no escaping this.”
“Then while you’re here, help me,” Sophie winked conspiratorially. “I’ll pay you. Fair’s fair.”
“I’d help you anyway,” Emily smiled gently. “But I won’t say no. I’ll need the money when I’m free again. I don’t need magic to know something’s wrong. But to confirm the dream… I need a lock of your hair.”
Quick as a flash, Emily pulled out a tiny blade and neatly snipped a few strands.
“Tonight, everything will be clear. We’ll find out what potion they slipped you, why you got despair instead of protection.”
The next morning, Sophie couldn’t find Emily. She kept disappearing—ducking into corners, vanishing for appointments.
“Why are you avoiding me?” Sophie cornered her in the garden. “We had a deal!”
“You won’t believe me,” Emily muttered darkly. “You’ll think I’m spinning tales for cash.”
“Enough. Just tell me what you saw.”
Emily led Sophie to the farthest corner of the garden and sat beside her.
“Listen carefully. I dreamed…”
James stretched lazily in bed.
“Wake up, sleepyhead! I’ve found our next mark.”
“Let me sleep…” he groaned.
“You can sleep later. Look at this.” She tossed him the paper. “See this woman? Her name’s Sophie. Co-owner of a corporation, no family… except her future husband. If all goes well, that’ll be you.”
“Marry her?” James’ throat went dry.
“Yes. First, you make her fall for you—sweet, humble, seemingly broke but hardworking. She’ll help you, invest in your ‘business.’”
“Then I bail?”
“And I step in,” Jessica stroked his hair. “When she agrees to the ritual, thinking she’s helping you, I’ll slip her a curse. The demon will devour her mind. Then—an ‘accident.’ The inheritance is yours.”
“If it works…”
“It will. We’ve got magic. And each other.”
When Emily finished, Sophie stood in silence, lips pressed tight.
“Well?” Emily finally asked.
“I say we act. First, we banish the demon. Then—reckoning.”
“Fair warning—if we wait, they’ll bolt. People like them don’t stick around.”
“I’m ready. Help me cast him out.”
Emily cut another lock of hair.
“Be prepared. The moment he’s gone, Jessica will know. You won’t have much time.”
That night, Sophie barely slept. Something shook her, whispered in her ear. But by morning—it was gone. The world felt brighter. People felt… ordinary.
“Millie! He’s gone!” She burst into her friend’s room—only to find Emily had been moved.
“She’ll be back when she’s better,” the nurse assured her.
Sophie tried calling Jessica and James. Their phones were dead. They’d fled. But now, all that mattered was getting out… and thanking Emily.
“You’re alive!” Sophie cried when Emily returned.
“Barely,” Emily rasped with a tired grin. “Sent the demon back—almost got stuck there myself. What about you?”
“They’re gone. Vanished. I’m recovering. The doctor says I’ll be discharged soon.”
“I’m staying. Daddy extended my ‘treatment.’ But you’ll visit, right?”
“Of course. How will I reach you?”
Emily pulled out her blade, snipped a braid, and handed it over. “Tuck it under your pillow. I’ll hear you.”
“And revenge?”
“I won’t dirty my hands. Let justice decide.”
“Then leave it to me. I’ll ask those *higher up* to pass judgment.”
Six Months Later
Sophie sat on the couch with a glass of wine, flipping through a private investigator’s file.
Jessica and James had run. Sophie returned to an empty flat. All the money she’d poured into his “business”—gone.
Jessica quit her job and vanished. She and James fled abroad. But their paradise crumbled fast. Money didn’t save them. They fought. Split the spoils—and parted ways.
Jessica crossed the wrong person. The investigator said they’d found her… or hadn’t. Presumed at the bottom of the ocean.
“Magic didn’t save you, Jessica,” Sophie whispered.
And James? Fell back into scams. Lost everything. Ended up in debt. The only thing left of value? His organs.
“At least he saved someone’s life,” Sophie murmured. “Fair’s fair.”
As for Emily? She lived deep in the woods now—where Sophie’s father had once planned to build holiday homes. Sophie had gifted her the land. A refuge. A sanctuary. A home.
Sophie pulled the braid from her keepsake box and smiled.
“So, old friend… Fancy a chat? I’ll visit soon. We’ll have a *magical* holiday.”
