Alicia's phone buzzed twice more while she and Raymond were still tangled in the sheets—Sophie's name lighting up the screen each time.
Alicia reached for it first, heart kicking up when she saw the string of messages.
She sat up slowly, pulling the sheet around her shoulders. Raymond propped himself on one elbow beside her, reading over her shoulder without asking. His expression darkened with every line.
Sophie: I'm okay. Just… freaked out.
Sophie: He sounded so cold on the phone. Like he's enjoying this.
Sophie: I don't want to be here when the story drops tomorrow. Can I come over? Like, soon?
Alicia's thumb hovered over the reply button. She looked at Raymond.
"He's using her," she whispered. "Even if he doesn't see it. She's sixteen and she's choosing to warn us instead of staying silent. That's not loyalty to him. That's courage."
Raymond's jaw tightened. He took the phone gently from her hand, scrolled back to reread Sophie's words, then set it down between them.
"She's scared," he said quietly. "And she's right to be. Victor's never been good at losing control. When Sophie pushes back—even a little—he doubles down. Curfews. Phone checks. Lectures about 'family duty.' I've seen it happen too many times."
Alicia reached for his hand, lacing their fingers.
"Then we get her out," she said simply. "Not forever—just long enough for her to breathe. To feel safe. She can stay here. Guest room. No pressure. She can talk, or not talk. Whatever she needs."
Raymond exhaled through his nose, gaze fixed on the ceiling for a moment.
"I've wanted to pull her out of that house for years," he admitted. "But Victor's her father. I can't just… kidnap my niece. Legally, emotionally—he'd use it against me. Against us. 'See? Raymond's stealing my daughter now too.' The board would eat it up."
Alicia squeezed his hand.
"We don't kidnap her. We offer sanctuary. She's sixteen—she can choose where she spends a weekend. Friends, family, whatever. If she tells him she's staying with 'a friend from school,' he might not push. And if he does… we have cameras. Security. Marcus. Elena on standby for any legal nonsense."
Raymond turned his head to look at her. Something fierce and tender flickered in his eyes.
"You'd do that for her? After everything Victor's already done to you?"
Alicia met his gaze without flinching.
"She's not Victor. She's a kid who just risked her dad's anger to warn me. That matters. And honestly?" Her voice softened. "I know what it feels like to be sixteen and need somewhere safe to run to. Even if it's just for a couple of days."
Raymond studied her for a long moment—then leaned in and kissed her forehead, lingering.
"You're incredible," he murmured against her skin. "You know that?"
She gave a small, shaky laugh. "I'm just… not letting him win this one. Not with her."
Raymond reached for the phone again. Typed quickly.
Raymond: Hey Soph. It's Uncle Ray. Alicia's with me.
Raymond: You're welcome here anytime. Tonight if you want. No questions. No lectures. Just a safe place.
Raymond: Pack a bag. Tell your dad you're staying with a friend. We'll pick you up wherever you say. Or send Marcus. Your call.
He hit send.
The reply came in under a minute.
Sophie: Really?
Sophie: Like… right now?
Raymond: Right now. Or tomorrow. Whenever you're ready. Door's open.
A long pause.
Then:
Sophie: Can Marcus come in 30? I'll wait at the corner store two blocks away. Dad's in his office. He won't notice.
Raymond looked at Alicia. She nodded.
Raymond: He's on his way. Text when you're there. We'll be waiting.
Sophie sent one last message—a simple heart emoji.
Then silence.
Raymond set the phone down and pulled Alicia back into his arms.
"She's coming here," he said quietly. "And when she walks through that door, she's not going back until she wants to. Victor can rage all he wants. He doesn't get to use her as a weapon anymore."
Alicia rested her head on his chest.
"We protect her," she whispered. "Like we're protecting each other."
Raymond's arms tightened around her.
"Exactly like that."
Thirty minutes later, Marcus texted: Package secured. ETA 10 min.
Alicia slipped out of bed, pulled on leggings and one of Raymond's hoodies.
Raymond followed—jeans, t-shirt, barefoot.
They waited together in the foyer—hand in hand—listening for the elevator chime.
When it arrived, the doors slid open.
Sophie stepped out—backpack slung over one shoulder, hoodie pulled up, eyes wide and a little scared.
Alicia moved first.
She opened her arms.
Sophie hesitated—then ran into them.
Alicia held her tight. No words. Just the quiet safety of someone who understood what it felt like to need an escape.
Raymond watched them—chest tight with something fierce and protective and achingly tender.
Then he stepped forward, wrapped both arms around the two of them.
"Welcome home," he said softly.
Sophie buried her face in Alicia's shoulder.
And for the first time in a very long time, the penthouse didn't feel too big.
It felt exactly the right size.