The distant crashing noise made Sofia nod to herself in satisfaction.

That should be threatening enough.

Now she would give some time for the brothers to talk between themselves, because as much as she knew, her husband was not even yet aware of Neil and Skyler seeing each other.

She had just turned around to leave but halted in surprise seeing familiar faces staring her way. There was Mabel with her mouth hanging open in unveiled shock and in her lap was baby Ryan with his wide eyed wonderment and drool dripping down his chin.

And then, shifting and holding Ryan in the crook of one elbow, Mabel was clapping her hands, grinning wide and looking extremely impressed. Ryan stared up at his mother stunned for a second and then, he too began clapping with his tiny hands – his claps didn't have any sound by the way.

"That was terrific!" Mabel screamed striding towards Sofia. "You were showing your husband who's the boss, weren't you?"

Sofia cleared her throat. "I—"

But Mabel cut off in frenzy, "Oh God, why hasn't this idea come to my mind sooner! Destroying a disobeying husband's office with a hammer—" She looked like she was about to begin jumping at the discovery. "It sounds like the perfect solution to womankind's marital troubles. I'll definitely try this the next time I've a fight with Ryan's papa. It's terrific!"

All praises to the higher almighty for sending people who can alleviate anger like ginger alleviates cold.

"Errr...," Sofia tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and then bent to place a kiss on Ryan's head. "What can I say?"

She truly didn't know what to say here. Explaining that her hammer strategy had nothing to do with a fight with Max would be a complicated process. For she obviously did not want to out the news that her unmarried sister was apparently pregnant and also misbehaved with, that too by none other than Max's cousin.

So, Sofia decided it would be better to not correct Mabel. She instead strolled away with the cutest mother-son duo while chatting about other things, safer things – that didn't include an unexpected baby or a hammer.

"My husband's busy suing some people somewhere in there," Mabel swung her head, gesturing back at the building. "I opted to stroll out with my little cupcake."

"Can't blame you for that. Those wicked lawyers in there keep blabbering about sections of laws and your husband will throw business facts into it. The mixture doesn't sound any fun."

In a few minutes, they reached the driveway. Sofia stood beside her car and faced Mabel with a smile.

Mabel's brows contorted in concentration as she tilted her head. "You look stressed," she surmised.

Ryan cooed at a butterfly that flew past him, his tiny fists shook in excitement.

"Some issues just turned up out of the blue," Sofia said, her eyes following Ryan's adorable actions.

"Seems like life in its most dramatic state," said Mabel, sighing. "But don't worry, whatever it is, it will get figured out soon. You're a strong girl to make that sure. You proved it just fine with your performance back there."

Sofia couldn't help but chuckle a little.

She didn't know if she was truly as strong as some people insinuated, but it was true that she always tried to be just that—for herself and for the ones she held dear to her heart.

--

"Sofia! What the heck have you mixed in this curry?" Vagga shrilled through a mouthful of food. "I swear I've never tasted something as amazing as this."

His gang members hummed and nodded in fervent agreement from around the table, each one of them too busy in savoring all the food that was served before them.

Not sparing any regard to Vagga, a hyperactive Sofia handed the clean table clothes to one of the staffs. Muttering something under her breath, she then stormed towards the bucketful of hand towels at the corner with more force than needed.

But the damned Vagga still didn't give up on his attempts to grab her attention. "Sofia..."

Sofia spun around with a huff, threw the bucket away and glared at Vagga. "While I'm flattered by your praises, Vagga," she snapped."It still doesn't change the fact that you've been bringing additional guests along with your entire herd everyday to gobble up all the free food in my restaurant, and you've been bloody eating like no one has ever eaten in the history of eating."

"Come on!" Vagga wiped his cheek that had a smear of curry on it. "You can't back out of our deal now."

Sofia sneered. "Never had I ever mentioned in the deal that you could bring additional people every other day."

"Well," Vagga's mouth widened into an embarrassed grin."You also never mentioned that I could not, and a businessman is bound to grab that kind of loophole in a deal. Besides, didn't I also kidnap an extra man for you?" His spine straightened in pride. "That just automatically doubled my payment."

There was a monumental pause after that.

Sofia had been already angry, and now, Vagga along with his nonsensical loophole theory had her shake in fury.

She looked left and right, eyes searching for any object that could be used to hurt the scoundrel.

Unaware of the tense situation outside, Simmy had just come out humming with a rolling pin in her hand. She was just about to merrily start a conversation with Sofia but stood shocked when Sofia snatched away the rolling pin from her hand.

"I'll show you loophole," Sofia bit out and charged at Vagga like a freight train.

"Aye, run for your lives!" screaming to his men, Vagga sprung up to his feet within a blink of an eye.

Chairs were knocked back, tables toppled over, the bucket flew across the restaurant getting kicked by someone. A flurry of hand towels rained down on Sofia as she drove away Vagga and his entire gang.

Sofia slapped off the towel that fell on her face, only to see a certain pair of brothers gaping her way.

There stood an amused Max and by his side, an utterly unnerved Neil.

The corners of her lips turned downwards into a scowl.

Max cleared his throat after a short moment of silence. "Well, honey," he gave a brief look to the rolling pin in her hand. "I brought you Neil here." It was just like how she'd said it after rescuing Genevieve and Joe.

There're times when history repeats itself, but then there're also times when people repeat it intentionally.

"So," Max added soothingly, holding back Neil who was in the middle of trying to sneakily whirl around and leave. "Why don't we sit somewhere quieter and... talk?"

Sofia's eyes were stuck on only Neil. Her fingers tightened around the rolling pin at the mention of - talk, it didn't go unnoticed by Max.

He raised a brow looking down at the rolling pin before looking up at her face again with a sigh. "Just talk."

Sofia would have still attacked Neil and stick the rolling pin straight inside his eye, but the pleading look Max was giving her made her waver. The soft smile on his lips coaxed away her determination of violence.

"Arghh," she dropped her weapon forcefully onto the ground and crossed her arms showing contempt.

There was this one man who was always successful in making all her resolves go frail. Sofi was a fighter, and Max was the one that separated her from war.

It was as much aggravating as it was relieving.

--

"You did that?" Sofia gestured at Neil's black eye.

Neil cringed.

"Definitely my handy-work," Max smirked.

Sofia sat back with newfound contentment. "That just saved you from the consequences of hiding him from me earlier."

"I wouldn't have if I knew," Max's face turned serious.

Neil cringed yet again before he cleared his throat. "How's Skyler doing now?" That was quite out of the blue. All two pairs of eyes were suddenly set on him now.

Sofia let out an agitated hiss. "How dare you even ask that, you moron!"

They were sat at the farthest corner of her restaurant. Most of the tables here were empty now that the rush hours of lunchtime had ended. It was the nearest quiet place, perfect for their pressing talk.

Exhaustedly, Neil dragged a hand down his face. "I know I've done a grave mistake—"

"As if we don't know that already!" Sofia snapped.

"Sofi?" Max indulged, placing his hand on her fisted one on the table.

Sometimes, she hated Max so much for soothing her like a pro.

Neil heaved out a long sigh. "I'm going to apologize to Skyler," he said, his eyes sparkling with sincerity. "And I'm going to make everything alright, if she would let me. I love her and no other, and although I was scared at first I know that I'll love our child as much."

There was a long pause as Sofia observed Neil, soaking in his words.

Max had a look on his face that said he was so going to use this little speech later to tease the living daylight out of his cousin.

Sofia was going to just open her mouth to speak was when her phone rang. It was Skyler. As she received the call and listened to her sister, her face paled.

"No," Sofia yelled. "Don't you dare do it, Skyler. It's not the solution...,"

But the call was abruptly disconnected. Bringing her phone down from her ear and staring at Neil, Sofia breathed out in anguish, "She's gone for an abortion."

With an eye beaten black and blue, hair in the most disheveled state and face as white as a ghost's — Neil looked like a scare-crow gone mad.

Soon, they were racing towards the hospital in Max's car. Sofia sat beside Max while at the backseat Neil was like a pressure-cooker in the brink of exploding into pieces any moment.

Max's face was contorted into a frown as he drove. "How do you even know she's going to be in this hospital you're talking about?"

"I heard someone say the hospital's name in the background," Sofia said, her knees bouncing in stress.

"Oh God!" Neil groaned from the background. "I'll never be able to forgive myself if... if..." he gritted his teeth not being able to complete that sentence.

Sofia just closed her eyes and prayed.

For creation can never be a sin. But killing it is.

They barged in through the entrance, ran down the hall, begged and yelled at receptionists and nurses to know where Skyler was. They would have been thrown out by the security if not for the middle aged nurse who apparently and fortunately knew Sofia. The nurse stopped by often for dinner at Mary's on her way back home after work. And now that they've found a familiar face working there it was not long after they located Skyler with her help.

She was on the fourth floor, sitting like a statue on a stray gurney.

Neil cried at the sight and collapsed onto his knees before her.

"Please tell me you didn't," Sofia pleaded standing behind Neil, leaning in to Max for support.

Tears pooled in Skyler's eyes. "I couldn't," was what she choked out in reply.

Sofia was about to leap closer towards Skyler but Max held her back.

"I guess we should give them some time alone, they need to talk," he said gesturing towards Neil who looked like a completely defeated man, relieved at the news but also drained out.

"I guess we should," Sofia rested the side of her face against Max's arm as his hand curled around hers.

For the first time, witnessing the display of their younger cousins' love and reconciliation had Sofia remember her own tale of friendship and love with Max. Different yet so similar. It surely had been quite an exhilarating journey.

However, Sofia had yet to realize that a tale never really ends. Not in true sense.

What we think is the end is where the story-teller decides to stop telling.

--

Before informing the Hayden clan, Sofia figured it would be better they inform the Wilders considering it would save Neil and Skyler to go through one less drama with the Haydens later.

Max took the initiative. And the very next day, Sofia stood in the extravagant lounge area of the Wilders, looking at the entire Wilder family. Each of their faces had a different expression but over-riding everything else was acceptance. Except aunt Katherine.

Now, that was not very surprising.

Katherine seemed like a caged animal, who was craving to pounce out of the steel bars and rip someone's throat apart. Sofia hadn't missed the brief look of disgust Katherine cast her way. It was like the middle aged, posh woman held her guilty of this nuisance. The nuisance of her only son suddenly wanting to marry a girl who came from a class she thought to be not equal to hers.

Max cracked a joke to ease the tension, Robert joined in. For the first time that day, Neil looked relieved.

Like a pro actress, Katherine put on a poignant smile. "Well, I guess we need to talk to the Haydens now as soon as possible. And prepare for a wedding," she looked at Sofia. "What do you say, Sofia?"

Sofia's smile was a little wary. "Of course. But only if Neil and Skyler see a wedding fit right now?"

The prospected bride and groom voiced their eagerness to tie the knot.

However, Sofia had expected if not much than at least a little bit of protest from Katherine. The presence of disapproval was there, Sofia could read it in that momentary but majestic flash on her face. But where was the rest?

"See, everything's alright now," Max had walked up to her, leaving everyone chattering behind.

Sofia nodded, letting herself smile freely, sighing out all her fears in his half embrace.

Even if everything was not as alright as it seemed, she still had Max. And as long as they were together, everything else would just find a way to fall in place.

--

Sofia made a wise move and talked to grampa first. Her old man had weakened because of growing age, true, but he was also the only one Sofia believed to be the most level headed in her family despite what years had reduced of his health. And truly, grampa had taken the news well despite the initial shock.

"I'm not pleased at the fact that she's expecting a child outside of marriage bond," Grampa sighed in disappointment, but then shook his head and smiled. "But the bright side is – at least there's going to be that much needed wedding now."

Now, it was precise that aunt Marla's freak out session and any possible attempt to bulldoze Skyler would be cut short.

Sofia's mouth lifted up into a half smirk which changed into a full blown grin hearing grampa's next words.

"Both of you sisters have got quite the reversed ways to bag your prince charmings, don't you?"

Because some people and their stories can't just walk straight. But it was not like they chose the dangerous curves on their roads—it was the curves that chose them instead.

One of the most severe curves appeared to be Katherine Wilder, the woman who took it as a personal insult—the fact that she was shackled with Skyler's pregnancy which forced her to approve of this marriage. Katherine's dreams were broken, of seeing Neil happily married with a girl that came from the same social status as of the Wilders.

"You must be feeling victorious," was Katherine's sharp bite as they settled down in the quiet living room of the Wilders' extravagant household the next day.

Katherine had requested Sofia's presence, to have a small talk with her – alone.

Even if it smelt of a smoldering pit, Sofia still had to step in. In no way she was going to let anything jeopardize her sister's future. She herself would face Katherine's wrath, soak in every bit of it so that none could drip on Skyler.

"Yes, it's true I'm feeling victorious knowing that Neil and Skyler have found love in each other, and happiness," Sofia tilted her head with a tight smile. She was going to politely dodge the jibes.

Katherine shrugged, but then she leaned forward with a serious look. The plush sofa she was sitting on dipped further as she put her well manicured hands at her sides on the velvet fabric. "But I'm referring to what's really been your victory here, the one where both of you Hayden sisters have trapped not just one but two Wilder men. You preach about love and such airy things while behind the pretense you've just shamelessly slept yourselves up the ladder of our name, wealth and social status."

It was like a slap on the face.

Sofia's spine went taut, because that was where it seemed like she was hit at. "I would like to point out that you've quite the disgusting way of thinking things through. It's disappointing really, how you view us 'so called' lower class people of the society. And it would be even more disappointing – the result, if I now attempt to even make you understand of our values and sincerity and honest hearts."

Katherine's eyes were narrowed but Sofia could see where politeness would take her sister. Skyler was so going to receive a hammer as a wedding gift.

"But the most disappointing is that, despite all your values your sister has still gotten herself pregnant and thus winning herself a marriage into one of the wealthiest families in the city," Katherine whisper yelled, boundless disdain dripping from each word. "She knew that the Wilders would not let their bastards loitering out in the streets!"

Sofia's head was spinning. It was unfathomable to her how one woman could hold so much venom inside herself.

Sofia could say numerous things to challenge and criticize Katherine's judgment here, but even then, would anything ever be enough to change this determined hatred towards her, towards Skyler, towards the poor, lower class Haydens?

But whatever the outcome – a success or not, Sofia was not a person to stand down and accept defeat. People fight tooth and nail. Sofia Hayden Wilder, however, ripped out those blasted tooth and nail if the opponent wouldn't budge.

"How many?" Sofia breathed, forcing herself to be calm.

Katherine raised a brow in question.

"How many secret bastards have Wilders produced till this day?"

It was apparent that Katherine had somehow refrained her mouth from falling agape in surprise.

"Be certain who you're actually trying to lower here," Indignantly, Sofia pointed out. "Neil is as much responsible in creating that baby you're calling names," She frowned, not holding back the disapproval. "Do at least hold on for a moment and realize that this is your grandchild you're talking about, and the girl you seem to spite so much, loves your son as much your son loves her. It's Skyler who'll make your son the happiest—"

"Just like you've made Max the happiest," Katherine cut off with a scoff, her tone mocking. "But if that's the case, then why – may I ask, Sofia," Katherine's mouth lifted up into a malicious smirk. "That he had went to his mistress at the night of his so called wedding?"

Never before Sofia's heart shook so fiercely. But that was just for a moment, only because the words had seemed so alien.

Her fists curled in anger as she sprang up to her feet. "I've had enough of your nonsense, but seems like it is best I leave before losing respect for you more than I already have." Swinging her tote bag over her shoulder she had almost whirled around, however, Katherine was not done yet.

"Her name's Carol. A sophisticated heiress to a multi-billion dollar company," Katherine's voice echoed, her tone wickedly pleased. "And it seems like she makes your husband happier."