LOGINAlexander’s POVHis forehead puckered, Dimitri holds my gaze, scrutinizing as he awaits an answer. “Are you?” He repeats.I lock my phone and turn it face down on the table before picking up my glass. “I’ve not changed my mind,” I murmur, fixing the rim in my mouth again.“Will you?”My head drones. My jaw tightens. The urge to empty this second glass grips every part of me.Exhaling deeply, I take one more sip, then put the wine away. “Why would I do that? I said I’m going to marry her, and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do… You can’t miss my wedding.”He nods half-heartedly, tilting his head to the side as he scratches his temple with a finger. “How’s your relationship with her?”A short chuckle slips out of me. Glass stem between my fingers, I swirl my wine on the table, while keeping my eyes on the promise ring. “Are you my therapist now?”He sighs and leans back in his seat. “I’m just thinking about you two. That’s all… It’s hard to get a hold of Sophia these days. She hardly res
Alexander’s POV~Singapore, October 14~Several floors above the ground, leg-crossed and seated alone in the corner of an exclusive restaurant, I sip wine while staring down at the bright city lights. A pianist is playing softly in the background. There’s barely anyone else in this room. I asked for as much privacy and quietness as I could get; that’s the reason.The wine is drier than usual. The silence, blending with the piano, is the kind of calm I need after two long weeks of noise, high-level meetings, internal operations, networking, and more work.I’d gladly enjoy this while it lasts.I turn around and signal to the waiter for a refill of my glass.On a night like this, that back massage I was promised at our engagement party would be the perfect addition to this quiet.Now that I think about it, she never got to give me that massage.And whose fault is it? I lift the glass to my lips, emptying it. And the waiter arrives right at this moment. With the stem between my fingers,
Sophia’s POVEn route to Thorne Electronics, my Dad’s driving, and my mom’s right beside him in the passenger seat. They’ve been going on about some things in the news. But nothing registers in my head.Seated at the back, I stare out the window, fingers curling and tangling together in my lap as my mind wanders.Sexy Sophia…What would she look like? What would Alexander think of her? The picture of those underpants displays in my head, unmoving. What would happen if I wore the blush pink one and hung out with Alexander? What ‘other things’ would he do to me?The thoughts running through my brain send a flush of heat through me. I have to shut my eyes tight and open them, but it’s still so hot.Hands fanning my face, my mind chooses this moment to replay what happened on that sofa in his office—the way his fingers slid–Oh, God.I lean against the door, take a deep breath, and slowly cross my legs.Get a grip on yourself, Sophia.But what would it feel like if we were to…My lids d
Sophia’s POVCandace?A lump instantly forms in my throat. I release a shaky breath as my eyes drop to the tulips in my embrace.What’s this? Another way to attack me?“I’ll go get a vase,” Ava says with excitement, turning to leave.“W-wait.”She stops.My heart races. The urge to throw the flowers to the ground causes air to tangle in my throat. I lift my eyes to Ava, and her brows draw together.“Is everything okay?” She questions, turning back toward me. “You look pale.”“Was she, um… what else did she say?”Ava twists her mouth, then says, “She said she was your friend and asked if I could call you out to meet her. I told her you were getting ready to leave with your mother, but I’m sure you’d spare a minute for a friend. But she said not to bother anymore…”“Did you tell her where I’m headed with my mom?”“I don’t even know where you’re going. Your mother won’t tell me.”I nod and drop my eyes. “Thank you, Ava.”My friend? She’s up to no good again.“Let me get you a vase,” Ava
Sophia’s POVSniffing, I cup my boobs with an arm and snatch my phone with the other hand, swiping on the screen to answer the call. I might not get this chance again.“H– hi, Mom…” I stutter, glancing over my shoulder at Aunt Mel as she approaches me.My heart leaps to my throat.Alexander doesn’t utter a sound.“I’m– I’m getting dressed up already. I’ll be all set before you get h- home… Okay. Bye, Mom.”Hand shaking, I drop the phone face down on the same surface, cross my arms over my chest, and look over my shoulder.“Was that your mom?” Aunt Mel asks, glancing at my phone before holding my gaze.“Mmm-hmm.” I nod and wipe my right cheek with the back of my left palm.“Sophia?” Her brows snap together to form a frown. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”“Nothing.” I shake my head, forming fists because my hands refuse to quit shaking. “Aunt Mel, I wanna get dressed.”She exhales deeply, eyes locked on mine as her lips twist, fold, and form a thin line. Her gaze drops to where my
Sophia’s POVIt’s been one long week since Alexander went on his business trip.Seated on a bean bag sofa in my bedroom, I think back to that eventful night, on December 31st, as I stare at the picture frame in my hand. It’s the one he gave me. My eyes are glued only to his face. He’s staring at me, and I’m doing the same.How did this even happen? Barbara wanted everyone to take pictures together in the gazebo, but Dimitri was all over the place, waiting for his wife, Lena. Before this, I’d caught Alexander staring at me a few times. We couldn’t wait for Dimitri any longer and decided to take the pictures without him.I was sitting at the edge of the bench. But one of the guys appeared, and I had to lift my eyes. It was him—the man who came to receive me after I’d checked into the party. Alexander Thorne.“Can I?” That’s what he muttered to me, holding my gaze. I’d never been stared at with so much intensity in my life. I scooted over without a second thought, completely struck by h
Lewis Rain’s POVSoph Soph in another man’s lap, riding his— no. No! I don’t even want to believe that she was doing that.I shake my head as I drive, but the image remains vivid and on a slideshow in my head—the way she clung to him, the way he held her so fu–ing close, bare skin and–Fu—.I swear,
Alexander’s POVHis eyes fall on Sophia, and instantly, fire lights in them.“What the fu—!” He barks, jaw clenching so hard.I raise her top to cover her skin. Sophia shrinks in my embrace. She buries her face in my shoulder, withdrawing her hands from around my neck.Horror washes over Lewis as
Sophia’s POVIs this why he’s been in a good mood the entire day? Why he’s been using his phone more than usual and constantly communicating with Leah? Because he was planning my proposal?My lips quiver, my eyes watering without my permission. I glance over my shoulder at Leah. She has a friendly
Sophia’s POVNo, I haven’t got this. At all.“Cut!” The Director shouts for the third time. I drop my hands to my sides. They’re trembling. One hand holds the facial cleansing brush, the other forms a fist.“Relax, Love,” Alexander whispers, patting my shoulders.Seated on the solid vanity top, I







