It had already been a week since they brought Sofi back home. Ella had made her promise not to harm herself again, but that didn't mean she was fine.

Since the incident, Sofi had been completely silent. No matter how much her parents, Ella, or even Lucifer tried to talk to her, she barely responded. She spent most of her time in her room, eating little and sitting by the window, lost in her thoughts.

She wasn't sitting there to enjoy the view-her mind had drifted elsewhere.

---

Flashback

"You're not that type of girl, but... would you mind if I asked you something?" Kian hesitated. "Are you a virgin?"

Sofi's eyes widened slightly as she turned to him. "Kian..." she whispered, unsure how to respond.

"I know it's shameless of me to ask," he admitted, running a hand through his hair, "but I can't help it. If I found out otherwise... it would break my heart."

Sofi's chest tightened at his words. "There was never anyone in my life but you," she reassured him softly.

"So... you mean you're a virgin?" he asked again, his gaze intense.

His question made her uncomfortable. It wasn't something she had ever thought she needed to prove. Still, she nodded.

"Thank God," Kian exhaled in relief and pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly.

"The way you hesitated to answer... it scared me," he murmured against her hair.

Sofi stiffened slightly in his arms before whispering, "What if I hadn't been?"

"You were supposed to be, Sofi," he said firmly. "No one lays a hand on what's mine. And if they do... then it was never mine to begin with."

He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek. "I'm trusting you, Sofi. I hope that when the time comes... you won't disappoint me."

End of Flashback

...

Sofi curled into herself, gripping her arms as fresh tears streamed down her face.

I thought you were joking, Kian... but every word you said was true.

Just because someone else touched me, in your eyes, I no longer remained yours.

A sob ripped from her throat. Your love... it was only for my body. That was its limit.

She buried her face in her hands, crying until her chest ached.

.......

Ella had been on her way to check on Sofi, but the moment she saw her sobbing, her heart clenched. She stood at the door, helpless, watching her sister break apart.

Without a word, she turned and walked away. She knew Sofi needed time... but seeing her like this hurt more than words could ever explain.

......

Lucifer returned home, excited to see Sofi. As he parked his car in the driveway, he reached for the bouquet of roses he had brought for her, picking it up from the passenger seat. Bringing the flowers close, he inhaled their fragrance, a soft smile appearing on his lips.

Just like my Sofi likes... he thought.

Stepping out of the car, he made his way toward the house. From where he stood, he could see Sofi's room. His gaze drifted upward, and there she was-sitting by the window, her shoulders slumped, tears streaming down her face.

His heart clenched.

I'm sorry, Sofi... but I did this for your own good. If Kian could leave you over something like this, what would he have done after marriage? Who knows how many restrictions he would have put on you?

Lucifer's fingers tightened around the bouquet.

I had to save you from him. If he truly loved you, he wouldn't have told you to die. Even when I confronted him, asking why he said it, he showed no regret at all. He never deserved you, Sofi-he never did.

His jaw tensed as he continued watching her.

It's only a matter of days... I'll make you forget him.

Just as he was lost in thought, a voice interrupted him.

"What are you doing here?"

Lucifer turned to see Ella's father walking toward him.

"Dad," he greeted, quickly masking his emotions. "Good morning."

"Good morning," he replied, his sharp eyes studying Lucifer. "What were you doing here, looking at Sofi?"

Lucifer sighed, shifting his gaze back toward her window. "I was just... watching her. She looks so lifeless, as if there's no soul left inside her."

Ella's father followed his gaze and frowned. His expression darkened. "You're right. I don't know what kind of monster did this to her... but if I ever find him, I swear I'll kill him with my own hands."

Lucifer placed a firm, reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Calm down, Dad. We'll find him."

He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. His eyes landed on the bouquet in Lucifer's hand. "What's with the roses?"

Lucifer glanced at the flowers, as if he had momentarily forgotten about them. "Oh, these? I brought them for Sofi."

"For Sofi?" Ella's father raised a brow.

"Yeah... You know how much she loves roses. I thought they might cheer her up."

"You should've brought some for Ella too," he remarked casually.

Lucifer just stared at him.

"She must be mad at you after everything," he added with a knowing look.

Lucifer chuckled lightly. "No, Dad. Our Ella isn't like that. She's already forgiven me."

"You're lucky," he said, shaking his head.

"I know," Lucifer replied with a smirk. "Shall we?" He gestured toward the house.

"Come," Ella's father said, moving ahead.

Lucifer watched him walk past, his expression darkening for a moment. His fingers curled into a fist, the bouquet crumpling slightly in his grip.

This man is getting on my nerves.

Grinding his teeth, he forced a smile and followed him inside.

........

After meeting Ella's mother, Lucifer made his way toward Sofi's room-the real reason he had come here. His heart pounded with excitement at the thought of being close to her.

If only I could fasten the process and make you mine already... he thought. But I have to wait for the perfect opportunity-so that no one can ever separate us again.

As he walked toward her room, he suddenly stopped. Something caught his attention.

He had just passed by Ella's room.

Frowning, he took a step back and glanced inside, his brows furrowing when he saw what she was doing.

She was packing.

What is she doing now? he wondered, watching her for a moment before taking a deep breath and stepping inside.

"Ella," he called, placing the bouquet of roses on the bedside table.

Ella didn't respond. She simply continued packing her things, her hands moving mechanically as if she was on autopilot.

Lucifer walked closer.

Still, she ignored him.

"Ella," he said again, this time grabbing her by the arm.

She turned her face away, refusing to look at him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice softer this time.

A single tear escaped her eye, rolling down her cheek.

"Ella," he murmured, concern lacing his tone.

"Let's go, Lucifer," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucifer's grip on her arm tightened slightly. "Ella, Sofi needs you."

"I know," she admitted, exhaling shakily. "But she won't even talk to me. She doesn't talk to anyone. No matter how much Mom, Dad, or I try... she just sits there, staring blankly. It's like she's not even here anymore."

Her voice broke. "It's killing me, Lucifer. I can't see her like this."

Lucifer guided her to the bed and sat her down gently. Holding her hands in his, he spoke calmly, "Give her some time, Ella. She'll recover... slowly, but she will."

Ella bit her lip, struggling to hold back more tears.

"And in this recovery," he continued, "she needs us. We have to stay strong for her, give her courage. If you fall apart like this, how can we expect Sofi to heal?"

She finally looked up at him, her teary eyes filled with uncertainty.

"You talk to her," she said. "Maybe she'll listen to you."

Lucifer nodded. "I was actually thinking the same thing. I wanted to suggest something."

"What is it?"

"Should we ask her to resume her studies?"

Ella blinked. "Studies?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "Sofi dropped out of college because of Kian. But now, she needs a distraction. If she stays locked in that room, her mind will keep drowning in these thoughts. She needs something to pull her out of it."

Ella hesitated, considering his words.

"You talk to her," she finally said. " she'll listen."

"That's exactly why I came," he said with a small smile. "I even brought roses for her. What do you think?"

Ella glanced at the bouquet. "Just like she likes."

Lucifer grinned. "I'll go now." He wiped away a stray tear from her cheek. "Don't cry, okay?"

She nodded.

He chuckled. "That's my lovely wife."

With a final smile, he turned and left the room.

........

When Lucifer reached Sofi's room, she was still sitting by the window, her shoulders trembling as silent tears streamed down her face.

His heart ached at the sight.

He moved toward her and sat beside her, carefully observing her fragile state. Without a word, he lifted the bouquet of roses in front of her eyes, hoping for even the slightest reaction.

Sofi glanced at them briefly but then turned her gaze away, as if they meant nothing to her.

Lucifer's heart sank.

The same girl who used to get so excited over the smallest things-who once adored roses-now didn't even care to look at them.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he placed the bouquet down gently.

"Sofi," he called softly.

She didn't respond at first, but then, in a broken whisper, she spoke.

"How could he do this to me, Luci?"

Lucifer's jaw clenched.

"Don't think about him, Sofi," he said firmly. "He doesn't deserve a second of your time."

Tears welled up in her already swollen eyes as she turned toward him. "But I loved him, Luci."

Lucifer exhaled sharply, pulling her into his arms. "Shh, Sofi," he murmured, holding her close as she buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

"He said he loved me," she choked out between her cries.

Lucifer gently rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. He never did, Sofi... he thought bitterly.

After a moment, he pulled her out of the embrace and cupped her face.

"Listen to me," he said, his voice steady. "Stop thinking about him. He doesn't deserve you, and you shouldn't waste another second on him."

"I can't help it," she whispered, tears still slipping down her cheeks.

Lucifer sighed. He needed to pull her out of this darkness.

"You should restart your studies," he suggested.

Sofi blinked at him, surprised by the sudden change in topic.

"It will help you distract yourself," he continued. "If you stay home like this, you'll only hurt yourself by reliving the same memories over and over."

Sofi hesitated. "I'm not sure..."

"Take your time and think about it," he said gently. "But I want you to know, if you decide , I'll drop you off myself."

She remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor.

"Okay?" he asked again, searching her face for any sign of agreement.

After a long pause, she gave a small nod.

A relieved smile tugged at his lips. "Good girl," he said, brushing a tear off her cheek.

Lucifer stayed beside her, letting the silence settle between them. For the first time in days, he felt a small sense of relief.

At least she had talked to him.

And for now, that was enough.

.........

Ella was in the kitchen, making coffee for Lucifer and Sofi while they talked in her room. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, offering a small moment of comfort in the midst of everything.

Just then, one of the housemaids walked in, looking hesitant.

"Mam... I found this in that room," she said, referring to the room where the horrifying incident had happened to Sofi. She carefully handed Ella a broken piece of a pendant.

Ella took it, examining the jagged edges.

"I've never seen this before," she murmured, turning it in her fingers. But as realization dawned, her grip tightened. "It must belong to that predator," she said, her voice laced with anger.

A cold shiver ran down her spine. If this really belongs to him... then it could be a clue.

........

"You broke it?" Sofi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He froze, his gaze snapping to the broken pendant on his neck .

His fingers traced the crack. "Oh God... When did it break?" he muttered under his breath, panic flickering in his eyes.

And then-

A memory flashed before him.

That day, when he took Sofi to the other room and was laying her down on the bed, his pendant got tangled in her hair. It was badly knotted, and as he tried to untangle it, he guessed it must have broken-but he hadn't noticed at that time.

His breath hitched.

It must have broken then.

His pulse quickened as the realization sank in.

Oh no.

What if someone finds it?

His grip tightened around the broken piece, his mind racing.

Jaw clenched, he exhaled sharply, trying to compose himself. I need to get it back before it's too late.

Author's Note: Hey guys! ✨
I'm really sorry for not updating according to my schedule. My sister is back for a few days, and with her around, I end up procrastinating a little (oops! 😅). Plus, I've been stuck trying to decide the plot for my demon story, which has been distracting me a lot. But I promise to sort it out by tonight!

Starting tomorrow, I'll try my best to update all my regular stories. However, for today, I'll be taking another break from You Are Mine because I have one more story left to write before shifting my focus back to the demon one. Hope you guys understand! 💜

Thank you so much for being here-your presence truly matters to me! 💕 Let me know how you're finding the story so far. And if you're my first time reader who only knows about this story, do check out my other ones too-I'm sure you'll love them! 😊📖✨