LOGINSophia’s POVI turn to look at the white-haired woman, who stares at Jake, her eyes widening with delight. She is his mother?“The same Sophia?!” She expresses and meets my gaze. Then she laughs, eyes forming a happy line. “You must be mistaken, Jake… She is getting married to Abigail’s first son.”“Doesn’t matta…” Jake says beside me.My mouth falls open. I return my eyes to his. And he just purses his lips, folds his arms on the armrest of my chair, while holding my gaze so intently with eyes that do not conceal anything. At all.A muscle twitches in my face.“How are you, Sophia? It’s been ages!”“Hi… small world…” I reply and glance at my fingers, staring at the diamonds on both of my ring fingers before meeting his eyes again. I wore both engagement rings today. But they don’t seem to have any effect on him.“It’s so good to see you after all this time.” He says, keeping a charming smile on.“It’s good to see you, too…”A memory hits me, and– “Oh my God! How are you?” I sit up
Alexander’s POVIt’s past midnight when I step into my penthouse.The ringing in my head hasn’t stopped, but the wicked thrill that buzzed through me earlier today has subsided a great deal, leaving in its wake an emptiness I’m well accustomed to.My fingers slide through my hair as I step into black slides and head for my bedroom. As if what I’ve done to her is not already enough. I was going to use her—use her in the most objectifying and cruel way possible. And for what?To get back at that– that–My father’s face appears in my head, and a foul word tumbles out of my mouth. In my bedroom, I slip my phone out of my pocket and pause.Missed calls from that unknown caller who’s been blowing up my phone all day. Unknown number: {You can’t marry Sophia Rose!!}{Stay away from Sophia!!}{Don’t even think about…}“Fu– you.” I croak and clear every notification, keeping my eyes glued to my lock screen wallpaper. The screen goes off. I tap it, still staring when it comes on.‘I can’t liv
Sophia’s POVMy heart skips a beat. I blink. “Er, I was, um… I had to use the bathroom…”He nods and stretches a hand to me. “Let’s go home.”Still blinking and staring, I slowly take his hand and rise from the couch.“Dad, are you okay?”He nods in response. But I know he’s not. Something is making him sad.“Did something happen?”“No. Nothing happened. We need to let the Thornes rest. They’re still a little jet lagged… And we’ve got to prepare for the anniversary tomorrow.”I nod and follow his lead. Just when we get outside, my phone vibrates in my purse. Still walking with my dad, I reach into my purse and take out my phone.Alexander (hubby): {I had to leave. I’m sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow.}With a sad sigh, my shoulders drop.“Alexander left,” I say to my dad.“He already told me.” He answers. “Something came up at the factory. I should be the one to attend to it, but he offered to go in my place… I wanted to be here with you. As your father.”The sadness in his tone is hard
Sophia’s POVI can only hope no one is looking for us outside this room with a portrait of Jesus.‘Forgive us for trespassing.’ That’s all I can think of as I glance at the picture, while still in Alexander’s strong and warm embrace. But what just happened? And why was he apologizing like that? As if he wronged me.He’s still now, no longer trembling and breathing rapidly. He gently strokes my hair with one hand, and the other keeps me pressed against his chest.My lips fold, eyes closing and shutting as I prepare for what I’m about to utter.“Were you… um,” I fold my fists. “Were you… about to give me… a head?” I manage to ask, heart racing.He nods.And I swallow hard. Just thinking about it sends a fire up my thighs. My head replays everything that happened until he stopped. Heat blooms in my chest.“W–why?”He sighs. “I’m sorry.”Not sorry. I want a head, but…“What if we were caught? Why here?”Stroking my back gently, he asks, “Would you believe me if I said I missed you so muc
Alexander’s POV~Several minutes ago~Mr. Rose excused himself to answer an urgent call. Christian left as usual—the last child; never having to bear the brunt of obligations and demands, leaving just me, my brother-in-law, and my father at the table.The table’s been cleared, but we each have mini fresh fruit tarts before us for dessert. Waiting for my father to speak, I stare at mine, counting blueberries and strawberry slices, certain it would taste like gravel if I attempt to eat.Inside my head, there’s a ringing that won’t stop as I replay what my father just put Sophia through. I couldn’t even do anything to shut him the fu– up. I couldn’t do anything to help her stop shaking beside me. I couldn’t do anything. Nothing.Even after all these years—fourteen years since I left this wretched prison called home, yet nothing’s changed.“As the first son, I expected more from you.” He utters plainly.The words scrape painfully against my ears.Clenching a fist, I lift my eyes to my fat
Sophia’s POVMrs. Thorne says a two-minute prayer, and we begin eating.The table is silent. Suffocatingly silent. Only the sounds of cutlery gently hitting plates can be heard.But when I raise my eyes briefly, glancing from one Thorne to the other, I seem to be the only one finding it hard to breathe. Everyone is so put-together, seemingly allergic to making a mess or even dropping a crumb.My throat tightens; it’s hard to swallow.Slowly, I reach for my glass of juice and take a careful sip, then swallow hard.My eyes shift to Alexander’s plate. He keeps picking at his food, unbothered and uninterested. From the corners of my eyes, I see his father glance at him. Then his mom does the same before glancing at her husband. I guess they take ‘Not talking while eating’ very seriously.“Sophia?”Food hangs in my throat.I lift my head, meeting Mr. Thorne’s peering gaze. “How do you find working with the company as a brand ambassador?” He asks and sips water.My chest pounds. I swallow
Alexander’s POVJaw tightening, I stare at our chat.No response from Sophia. But she’s opened it, definitely watched it, too. And must have felt something—that’s what I want to know.I count to three in my head before closing her chat to open my circle’s group chat. Four messages, but only one ha
Sophia’s POV“We need to get you home,” Alexander speaks, shattering the dull humming in my head.My eyes flutter open, and it’s still dark. I take a deep breath, blinking as my brain tries to piece together what just happened. One minute, his hands were on my boobs, the next, I was… I don’t know.
Sophia’s POVI shudder in shock, watching him light the cigar with a soft click. I’ve never been this close to a man doing something so… intimate.But he’s going to touch me? Where?He brings the cigar to his lips, eyes fixed on me. The ember glows. He leans back, exhaling a slow cloud that curls li
Sophia’s POVAlexander’s calmness fills the elevator like gravity. I stare at my reflection against the panel—blonde hair secured in a neat bun, my teal silk skater dress falling perfectly—a 360-degree improvement from the last time I was here.He slowly holds my hand and locks our fingers with gen







