On unstable ground

**Sophia’s POV (formerly Charlotte)**

The meeting had ended, but the internal turmoil that Richard had stirred within me was far from dissipating. As I walked back to the hotel, the city around me seemed like a blur of noises and movement. My mind was trapped in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions, as if a tornado had swept away all the certainties I had built over the past three years.

I clearly remembered Richard’s words, the way he looked at me, as if he could see beyond the facade I had erected. That was what troubled me the most—the fact that he still had the power to make me question everything. I believed I was safe behind the walls I had constructed, but Richard had found a crack, a weakness I didn’t want to admit existed.

When I arrived at my suite, I was greeted by the laughter of my children, who were playing on the living room floor. The sight of them, so innocent and unaware of everything that was happening, brought an automatic smile to my face. But shortly after, a wave of guilt washed over me. How could I be so disturbed by someone like Richard when all that should matter was their well-being?

I knelt down beside my children, pulling them close in a tight embrace. Their warmth against me was a tangible reminder of what I had achieved—a reminder that I had built a safe and happy life for them, far from Richard’s influence. But at the same time, I couldn’t ignore the feeling that I was lying to myself about what I really felt.

After the children were put to bed by the nanny, I sat in the armchair near the window, looking out at the city lights. What Richard had said echoed in my head like a song I couldn’t stop hearing.

"Sophia, we both know it’s not that simple."

I wanted to believe he was wrong, that what I felt for him had died the moment I fled. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something unfinished between us—something that couldn’t be ignored.

I had spent three years without getting involved with anyone. My life had been completely devoted to my children and my career, and I believed that was enough. But the reality was that Richard was still there, somewhere in the back of my mind, like a shadow that never completely disappeared.

I knew I needed to deal with this, but the mere idea of confronting these feelings left me paralyzed. How could I admit to myself, after everything he had done, that I still felt something for him? And more importantly, how could I allow that to influence the decisions I needed to make going forward?

As I pondered these questions, my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. It was a message from my lawyer, requesting a brief conversation. With a heavy heart, I called back, already anticipating that he had news that could complicate the situation even further.

"Good evening, Sophia," he began, his voice as professional and calm as ever. "I wanted to update you on today’s meeting. After an initial review of the terms, there’s something you need to know."

I felt my heart race. "What exactly?"

"Richard has the right to visit the children," he said, getting straight to the point. "Based on current legislation and the absence of any concrete evidence suggesting that he’s a threat to them, it’s almost certain that he will secure some form of access. We can work to ensure that these visits are supervised or occur under specific conditions, but it’s virtually impossible to completely deny his right to see them."

I closed my eyes, trying to digest the information. I knew this was a possibility, but hearing those words made me realize just how real this battle was becoming. "And if I refuse? If I insist that he shouldn’t have any contact with them?"

"The court could see that as an attempt at parental alienation," he explained calmly. "That could actually harm your position. Our best strategy is to negotiate the terms of these visits to ensure the children are always safe and in a controlled environment."

"I understand," I murmured, my mind spinning with the implications. "So there really is no way to avoid this."

"I’m afraid not," he replied, his voice laden with understanding. "But remember, Sophia, you still have a lot of control over the situation. We can set the conditions that best serve the children’s interests and ensure that Richard adheres to those rules strictly."

I thanked the lawyer and hung up, feeling a mixture of despair and determination. This fight was just beginning, and I knew it would be long and exhausting. But for my children, I was willing to face whatever was necessary.

As I looked out at the city through the window, I promised myself that I wouldn’t let Richard interfere with the life I had built. I would find a way to protect my children, even if it meant making difficult concessions along the way.

But at the same time, I knew I would also have to confront the truth about what I still felt for Richard. The battle I was about to fight wasn’t just against him, but against my own heart. And to win, I needed to be stronger than I had ever been.