Rise Above The Betrayal (Sophia and Tristan) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19 

Tristan’s eyes never left Sophia, not missing the fleeting hint of annoyance in her gaze. 

It made her look even more like a cute, puffed–up kitten, ready to his 

Unable to resist the impulse, he almost reached out to ruffle her hair playfully. 

Sophia might look cold and distant, but underneath, her emotions were clearly more complex than she let on 

Just as Tristan was about to speak, his phone rang 

He glanced at the screen, then quickly ended the call. 

Bur almost immediately, the person on the other end called again. 

By the time they reached the entrance to the Abyss, the car had slowed to a stop. 

Sophia quickly unbuckled her seatbeh. “I leave. You can take the call, I’ll wait for Zack and the others here. I’ll explain to them later.” 

“Explain what?” Tristan asked, holding his still–ringing phone. He glanced sideways at her, his tousled bangs falling just enough to soften the sharpness in his gaze. His eyes now held a lazy, almost seductive allure. 

Leaning back in his seat, his posture exuded an effortless, natural nobility. 

Sophia’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on the seatbelt. “Explain that you have to leave early and can’t join us 

“Miss Roseente, Tristan interrupted her, his voice low and drawling. 

Suddenly, a crisp, woody fragrance filled the air, seeping into Sophia’s senses. 

Sophia fraze. 

Tristan had leaned in closer. His cold, otherworldly face Inomed near, magnified in her eyes. 

as so small now that she could count each of his long lashes 

The distance between them was so ser 

As the headlights from a passing car illuminated the interior, Sophia’s gaze involuntarily dropped to his chiseled jawline. 

Then, her eyes moved lower, to the pale, smooth skin of his neck… and the subile, sensual movement of his Adam’s apple as he breathed. 

Sophia’s eyes widened in shock. 

She stared at him, her mind temporarily blank in the presence of such breathtaking beauty. 

By the time she regained her composure, her face had turned bright red. She immediately recoded, pulling back and trying to create some distance between them. 

But suddenly. Sophia felt a sharp tug on her hair. 

Alarge hand pressed down firmly an her shoulder. 

Tristan’s palm was warm, the heat of it seeping through the thin fabric of her shirt, almost burning her skin. 

Sophia stiffened immediately. 

“You…seem to have me? His voice was low and husky, each word slipping smoothly off his lips, like a velvet–coated challenge 

His other hand reached up, his fingers catching a loose strand of her hair. With a gentle lug he freed the lock that had gotten caught in the seatbelt. 

Sophia watched in stunned silence as her hair twirled around his long fingers. 

Her dark hair contrasted sharply with his pale skin, creating a striking visual, one that seemed to draw all her attention. 

The air between them thickened, and an oddly intimate vibe settled over them. 

After freeing her hair, Tristan merely adjusted the strand back into place. His fingers brushed lightly against her scalp before naturally withdrawing pulling out of her personal space. 

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Chapter 19 

The lingering scent of wood and cold air slowly faded. 

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse racing for two quick seconds. 

She bit her lip, feeling flustered, and unconsciously brushed her hand through her hair, where he had just touched it. Avoiding his gaze, she lowered her head and mumbled, “I don hate you.” 

She didn’t hate him, it was nothing like that. 

was more about how calculated his approach seemed, and–truthfully–how dangerously magnetic he was 

Besides… 

Sophia always felt like his gaze was too intense. 

It made Sophia feel like he wanted to consume her entirely–so aggressive. 

With someone like that, her instinct was to avoid unnecessary contact. The less interaction, the bener, to keep things from getting complicated. 

Still reeling from the intensity of their close encounter, Sophia didn’t notice much. Tristan’s posture had stiffened when he leaned back into his seat after pulling his hand away from her shoulder and hair. 

The hand that had touched Sophia’s shoulder, the one that had played with her hair, trembled slightly–almost imperceptibily–as though lingering on the warmth she had left behind. 

His dark eyes stirred with an unspoken hunger. 

His throat bobbed as he swallowed, and he clenched his hand into a fist, as if trying to hold onto the warmth of her touch. 

“Since you don’t hate me, I guess we still have a chance to be friends.” “Tristan said, a lazy smile curling his lips. His voice was light and carefree. “Besides, nothing is more important than your celebration tonight.” 

There was this slight strain in his voice, though it was well–hidden. 

Sophia did not know how to respond. 

Tristan never stopped exuding his charm. 

ne call in 

in front of her, without hesitation. 

He smiled even more leisurely, completely at ease, as he picked up the long–ignored phone 

Sophia stole a glance at him. 

He didn’t care. 

but SIE had enough self–awareness to know better. 

A call for the head of a prestigious family? It wasn’t something she should be eavesdropping on. 

Sophia quickly opened the car door and stepped out, walking to the side. She took out her phone and sent Sherry her location, waiting for her in arrive and pick her up. 

Just as she put the phone away, a voice suddenly broke through the silence, trembling and panicked. “Sophia…. Sophia!” 

Sophia frowned, sensing something was wrong. 

she turned around, and sure enough, there was Ethan–tripping and si 

stumbling toward her 

Ethan, who usually carried a haughty air, now looked utterly shattered. His sharp, handsome face was pale, and his bloodshot eyes were locked unblinkingly on Sophia. 

His gaze was a storm of conflicting emotions, barely contained, as though he were struggling to suppress an inner turmoil. His hoarse voice trembled when he finally spoke: Sophis, you’re Miu S… why didn’t you tell me?”.