**Chapter 10: A Glimmer of Hope**

As Sophia drove away from the hospital, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced in her rearview mirror, and her heart sank as she saw Julian's car tailing her. She sped up, taking a detour through the city streets, but Julian kept pace with her. Sophia's mind was racing, her thoughts consumed by fear and anxiety. She knew she had to lose him, but her mind was a jumble of emotions, making it hard to think clearly. As she approached a busy intersection, Sophia spotted a police car parked on the corner. Without hesitation, she pulled over and rolled down her window, waving at the officer. The officer, a middle-aged man with a kind face, walked over to her car. "Everything okay, ma'am?" he asked, eyeing Julian's car parked a few feet away. Sophia took a deep breath and explained the situation, trying to keep her voice steady. The officer listened attentively, his expression growing increasingly serious. "I'm going to call for backup," he said, radioing for assistance. "You stay here, and I'll take care of this." As the officer approached Julian's car, Sophia felt a surge of relief wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she was finally safe. But as she watched, Julian rolled down his window and began to talk to the officer, his words smooth and persuasive. Sophia's anxiety spiked as she realized that Julian was spinning a web of lies, trying to convince the officer that she was the one who was unstable. The officer's expression changed, and he turned to Sophia, his eyes questioning. "Ma'am, I think we need to take this to the station," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "Let's get to the bottom of this." Sophia felt a wave of panic wash over her. She knew that if she went to the station with Julian, she would be in grave danger. She had to think fast, to convince the officer that she was telling the truth. But as she looked into Julian's eyes, she saw a glint of triumph, and she knew that she was running out of time. The officer's radio crackled to life, and a voice came through, asking for an update on the situation. The officer hesitated, then turned to Sophia. "I'm going to need you to come with me, ma'am," he said, his voice firm. Sophia's heart sank, but she knew she had to try. She took a deep breath and reached for her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she searched for the hotline number Dr. Lee had given her. She held up the phone, showing it to the officer. "Please, officer, I need to call for help. This is a domestic violence situation, and I have a hotline number that can help me." The officer's expression changed, and he nodded. "Okay, ma'am, let's get you to a safe place." He radioed for assistance, and soon, a team of officers arrived, surrounding Julian's car and taking him into custody. As Sophia watched, a sense of relief washed over her. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders, and for the first time in weeks, she felt safe. The officer handed her a phone, and she dialed the hotline number, her voice shaking as she explained her situation. A calm, gentle voice answered, offering Sophia support and guidance. "You're not alone, Sophia," the voice said. "We're here to help you. We'll get you to a safe place, and we'll support you every step of the way." Sophia felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in months. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but for the first time, she felt like she was taking control of her life. She was ready to face whatever came next, knowing that she had a support system behind her. As she walked away from the scene, Sophia felt a sense of freedom that she hadn't felt in a long time. She was finally taking the first steps towards healing and recovery.