Sophia hesitated for a second before asking the real question.
“…Is Magnus there? Is he going to be at the Empire Hall?”
Thomas glanced briefly at Camila before answering carefully, “I don’t think so. He’s already home. It’s unlikely he’ll come.”
Sophia exhaled, relief washing over her.
“Okay… thank you.”
***
Magnus pressed his fingers hard against his forehead, his eyes shut.
But it didn’t help.
The image wouldn’t leave.
Sylvia… with Neymar.
The more he tried to push it away, the clearer it became..
“Damn it—!”
His hand slammed against the table in his study, the sound echoing through the room. He inhaled sharply, pushing himself to his feet—
Just then, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen before picking up the call. “Yes, Thomas?”
14 You Lied To Me?
“Sir, you need to come to the Empire Hall right now,” Thomas said, his voice urgent. “Mrs. Graves—she was very stressed after leaving your house. She fell and hurt herself.”
Magnus went still.
“Stay right there,” he said at once, all traces of alcohol gone from his voice. “I’m coming. Call a doctor.”
He didn’t wait for a reply.
Within seconds, he was out of the house.
His movements were fast, tense, driven by worry. He reached his car, got in, and sped off toward the Empire Hall.
The car barely stopped before he threw the door open and stepped out, not even bothering to close it as he rushed inside.
His footsteps echoed loudly in the empty building.
“Mom?” he called out, his voice tight as he hurried forward.
Then—
He stopped.
Camila stood in the middle of the hall, perfectly fine, her phone in her hand as she giggled watching a video on Tiktok.
Magnus’s breath caught.
“Mom?” he rushed over, his voice panicked. “What’s going on? Are you hurt?”
