**Justice for Sophie: A Tale That Began with Betrayal**
*”Why do you let him treat you like that, Soph? You’re not his property! You’re strong—you could break free,”* whispered Emily, curled up on the sofa.
Sophie sighed heavily and replied softly,
*”He’s my father. And he’s got a piece of paper with a signature and a stamp that says, ‘unfit.’ That’s why I’m here. He’s not just some bloke with money—he’s got power. And no matter how far I run, he’ll always find me. There’s no escaping this.”*
*”Well, while you’re stuck here, why not help me out? I’ll pay you, fair and square,”* Sophie added with a conspiratorial wink.
*”I’d help you for free,”* Emily chuckled. *”But I won’t say no. I could use the cash when I finally get out. I don’t need magic to know something’s not right. But to confirm the dream—I’ll need a lock of your hair.”*
Swiftly, Emily pulled out a tiny knife and snipped off a few strands.
*”Tonight, we’ll get answers. Whatever potion they slipped you, why you got haunted instead of protected—we’ll figure it out.”*
The next morning, Sophie couldn’t find Emily anywhere. She dodged her, hiding in corners, vanishing during treatments.
*”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 fairy tales for cash.”*
*”Enough. Out with it—what did you see?”*
Emily led Sophie to the most secluded path and sat her down.
*”Listen closely. I had a dream…”*
In his cosy bed, Oliver stretched lazily.
*”Wake up, sleepyhead! I found our next target,”* chirped Jessica.
*”Let me sleep…”* he groaned.
*”Plenty of time for that later. Look at this newspaper. See this woman? That’s Sophie. Co-owner of a corporation, no living relatives except… her future husband. And if all goes to plan, that’ll be you.”*
*”Marriage?”* Oliver croaked.
*”Yes. But first—make her fall for you. Play the humble, hardworking man down on his luck. She’ll help you, invest in your ‘business.'”*
*”Then I vanish with the lot?”*
*”Exactly, darling,”* Jessica stroked his hair. *”And once she agrees to a ritual, thinking she’s helping you—I’ll slip her a curse. A demon will devour her mind. Then—an ‘accident.’ The inheritance? All yours.”*
*”If it works…”*
*”It will. We’ve got magic. You and me.”*
When Emily finished, Sophie sat in silence, lips pressed tight.
*”Well? What do you say?”* Emily prodded.
*”I say we act. First, we banish the demon. Then—retribution.”*
*”Warning—if we delay, they’ll bolt. People like them don’t wait around.”*
*”I’m ready. Help me get rid of it.”*
Emily snipped another lock.
*”Be prepared. The moment it’s gone, Jessica will know. You won’t have much time.”*
That night, Sophie barely slept. Tremors, whispers, jolts—but by morning, it was gone. The world felt clearer. People seemed… ordinary.
*”Millie! It’s gone!”* Sophie burst into her friend’s room—but Emily had been moved. Something happened in the night.
*”She’ll be back once she’s better,”* the nurse promised.
Sophie tried calling Jessica and Oliver. No answer. They’d fled. But now, the real goal was leaving—and thanking Emily.
*”You’re alive!”* Sophie cheered when Emily returned.
*”Barely. Sent the demon back but nearly got stuck with it,”* she rasped with a weak laugh. *”You?”*
*”They’re gone. Vanished. I’m recovering. Doctor says discharge soon.”*
*”I’m stuck here. Dad extended my stay. But you’ll visit, yeah?”*
*”Of course. How do I reach you?”*
Emily grinned, pulling out her knife. She snipped a braid and handed it over. *”Tuck this under your pillow—I’ll hear you.”*
*”And revenge?”*
*”I won’t dirty my hands. Let justice handle it.”*
*”Then I’ll ask those higher up to judge what they deserve.”*
**Six Months Later**
Sophie lounged with a glass of wine, flipping through a private investigator’s file.
Jessica and Oliver had fled. Sophie returned to an empty flat. Bank accounts drained. Every penny she’d “invested”—gone.
Jessica quit her job and vanished. She and Oliver jetted off—but their bliss didn’t last. Money didn’t save them. They fought, split the loot, and parted ways.
Jessica crossed the wrong person. The PI’s report was grim—*presumed at the bottom of the ocean.*
*”Magic didn’t save you, Jess,”* Sophie murmured.
And Oliver? Fell back into schemes. Gambled. Owed debts he couldn’t pay. The last thing of value he had? His organs.
*”At least he saved a life…”* Sophie tilted her head. *”All fair in the end.”*
As for Emily? She lived deep in the woods—where Sophie’s father once planned luxury cabins. Sophie gifted her the land. A refuge. A home.
Plucking the braid from a keepsake box, Sophie smiled.
*”Well, Mil… Fancy a chat? I’ll visit soon. This holiday’s going to be magical.”*
