Chapter 38

Sophia’s POV

Once the doctor finished treating me, I walked back toward the mansion still aching from the fight, though gratitude for Derick’s intervention softened some of the sting.

He’d warned Lucas and Jessica plainly about their behavior, and I’d seen the fear in their eyes the moment they realized how far they’d overstepped.

But gratitude aside, I couldn’t ignore the discomfort building in me over how openly Derick had started showing interest in me.

His followers already resented my presence enough without adding that to the mix, and I made a point of keeping my distance from him wherever I could manage it.

He invited me to dinner one evening regardless, and I accepted, hesitant despite myself. Every eye in the room see