Author's POV. Sophia stood there, absolutely astounded. She couldn't believe who was standing in front of her. This seemed like a nightmare or some hallucination that she wanted to snap out of."Sophia," Ray muttered, staring at her in shock.Sophia's hand tightened around the water bottle, and for a moment, it came to her mind to toss it at him, but was he worth it? If he appeared months ago, then she would have pounced on him and ripped him to shreds for what he did to her. But now, she didn't have any energy for that. She just realized that she didn't feel anything for him, all the hatred seemed to have vanished.All she felt was indifference and disgust."Sophia, how have you been? I mean...""I'm not dead, surprised, aren't you?" Sophia sneered, eyeing him."Sophia, I didn't mean for that to happen. It wasn't my intention to—" "I don't need your stupid explanation. Do you know what I went through because of you?" Sophia snapped angrily. "Sophia, I'm sorry...""My father and I
Author's POV. “What the hell are doing here?” Sophia raised her voice, her face filled with astonishment. She hadn't expected to see Ray at her doorstep after torturing herself with thoughts of him last night. She was slowly getting over their meeting—why did he have to show up again? “How did you find me? What the fuck do you want from me, you cunt!” Sophia sneered, unleashing her anger. “I wanted to find you, and I didn't know where you lived, so I had you traced days before we met coincidentally at the shopping mall,” Ray admitted, his expression already laced with remorse. “I know I hurt you, Sophia, but it wasn't my intention. I planned to come back but things didn't go as I had planned—” “That's why you gave me up as collateral to those brutal bastards to kill!!!” Sophia cut him off, her voice filled with rage. “I’m sorry, I know what I did was cruel, but I was trying to buy time. Things just backfired at that moment and I couldn't come get you. Please for
Author's POV. Ray had a small smile on his lips as Sophia paved the way for him to enter. Upon entering, Marcus led him to one of the couches and they sat. “Father, I don't believe anything he is saying,” Sophia frowned. “I don't believe him either, but we can't just dismiss his side of the story. Alessandro can do anything to have his way and he probably deceived him too,” Marcus said, considering Alessandro's atrocities. He was willing to trust everything against Alessandro. Alessandro was a devil to him, and if he could still find a way to destroy him, he would. “Okay, can you tell me everything from the beginning?” Marcus inquired, more curiously.“I'm not going to stand here to listen to this. I'm heading to my room and by the time I come out, I don't want to see him here,” Sophia spat irritably, walking away. As she left, Marcus turned his attention to Ray. Ray felt a bit uncomfortable being alone with Marcus, but he was ready to spew more lies and have his way. Sophia wa
Sophia's POV. I remained in my room, wondering what they were still talking about. I hoped my father wasn't believing anything that that bastard was saying. I would feel so betrayed if he believed anything from him. I still couldn't believe that Ray expected me to believe those nonsense tales of his. He was no different from Alessandro. The only difference was that he wasn't a mafia king and hadn't killed so much people. As more thoughts ran through my mind, my phone suddenly rang. I let out a sigh and grabbed it from the nightstand. Staring at the screen, I saw an unknown number. A frown spread across my lips and i was hesitant to answer the call. However, I decided to. Upon answering the call, I heard a familiar voice that sent chills down my spine. “Birdie,” Alessandro's voice chimed through the speaker. I instantly clenched my fist, hating how I dreaded and missed that voice. “How dare you call me after all your lies?” I gritted out. “I can explain everything that happene
Sophia's POV. “Despite how good it sounds to use him, I can't bring myself to doing it. I just don't want anything to do with these men,” I responded, shaking my head. “However, I understand where you're coming from. I know you want the best for me but I’m just tired of living in constant deceit and lies. Let's just forget about using him and find another way forward,” I muttered with a sigh. Father's face fell at my words. I didn't like to see him disappointed at me but I couldn't do what he was saying. I was tired of having those men in my life that have given me nothing but pain. “I can't force you into doing anything. But I still plead with you to consider it. It might not be the best idea but it's the easiest way we can get out of this debt,” Father whispered, pulling closer and kissing my forehead. I closed my eyes and let out another audible sigh.“I'll go make something for you,” He whispered, standing to his feet. “What do you want?”I knew he was not happy with my decis
Alessandro's POV. “Alessandro?” She gasped at the sight of me. I wondered why she was dressed so formally at this hour, but I was more glad to see her. I should have come long ago, however, business casualties held me back. “I’m sorry, Sophia. I know that you think I betrayed you but that's not the case. I wish you could just give me a chance to explain myself and the circumstances surrounding whatever Laura told you,” I muttered, staring softly at her. My heart sank when her expression went from one of shock to disgust. “I don't care what happened between both of you. I don't want to know any details, I just need you to leave,” She spat, glaring at me. “I can't leave without getting you to listen to me. I don't know what to exactly what she told you but just know that they are all lies. Laura has been secretly in love with me for a while now, and she just told you lies to send you away,” I explained desperately. I wished I hadn't invited Laura at all to the US, maybe all this
Alessandro's POV.I could feel my heart clenching in my chest as I watched him nibbling on her lips. Unable to contain the anger riling through me, I dashed to him and pulled him away from her, instantly throwing my fist at his face. He fell to the ground and blood splattered out of his mouth, but I didn't stop there. I went to him, pounced on him and began punching his face relentlessly. Sophia screamed behind me, telling me to stop. "Alexandra, stop it. You are going to kill him!"She yelled. However, I was too angry to listen to her. I should have stopped right there, maybe I would have salvaged what we had left, but the anger within me was too much. No one had the right to touch what was mine, especially after all the hurt he had caused her. I wasn't going to take this nonsense from him, I would teach him a lesson he would never forget. Without hesitation, I landed another punch on his face that forced blood into his eyes."Alessandro, please!" She cried out. I hated that sh
Sophia's POV.Father gave me Ray's phone number and I went embarrassingly to my room to call him. I knew I shouldn't be doing this because it would make him feel important or that he had a chance with me, but I had no choice. There was no one else to truly defend me from Alessandro. If Alessandro were to act violently and attempt to take me away, Father would not be able to stop him, and the police wouldn't do anything if they were called either. Ray, despite being a weakling, might be able to do something. Letting out a deep sigh, I dialed his number and without hesitation, he answered, as if recognizing my number. "Hello, Ray," I muttered, my voice shaking nervously. "Sophia? Is this you?" He asked, sounding surprised. "Yes, it's me," I replied flatly. "I thought you didn't want to see me. You left so angrily. I can't believe you're calling now," He uttered, making me flush. "Yes, I know," I rolled my eyes, irritated. "I'm calling because I need a favor from you," I said, my
Alexandro’s POV. I didn’t hesitate the moment Laura told me it was Ray. Sophia had been missing for over twenty-four hours, and every second that passed felt like a knife to my throat. I barely heard myself as I barked orders, my voice colder than the steel of my gun. “We’re moving now.” The police, already prepped as backup, moved with us. Time was slipping through my fingers like sand, and I was starting to lose it. Hours had passed since Sophia’s disappearance, and every lead we chased led to a dead end. We had searched every possible location—his old warehouses, his usual spots, even places that felt like a stretch. Nothing. The frustration in the room was suffocating. I could see it on everyone’s faces—the officers shifting on their feet, checking their phones as if the answers would magically appear, Laura, biting her nails, her eyes darting between me and the door. “She’s been missing too long,” Laura whispered, her voice trembling. “If we don’t find h
Alessandro's POV. I located Laura and headed straight to her. She was staying in a hotel not far away from my house, which made it easier for me to reach her. Upon reaching the hotel, I met with a receptionist who was reluctant to give me Laura's room number since I didn't have an appointment. I urged her to call Laura, which she eventually did. Fortunately, Laura agreed to let me see her and without hesitation, I headed straight to her room. As I entered, she was sitting on the bed with a smirk on her lips. I let out a low growl and marched up to her. I grabbed her arms and lifted her off the bed, making her frightened. "Where is she?"I demanded, my voice filled with rage. "Where is who?"She looked at me in confusion. I tightened my grip around her arms and yelled, "Where is Sophia? She has been missing since the day I went for a shipment! I have looked everywhere for her, but she is nowhere to be found. I don't know why I think you have something to do with that!
Alessandro's POV. My mind was a whirlwind of different emotions. I could not think. I was scared. I needed to know where Sophia was and Mary was not giving me a reasonable answer. I went to my study and began to think of who could have kidnapped her. I called Mary in again to question her. "Mary, think, who do you think would have taken Sophia?" I asked her. Mary shivered in fear. I knew she thought I would be angry with her, though I was, but I didn't want to take it out on her. I knew how stubborn Sophia could be, so I was sure that it was Sophia that put her up to it. So, Mary related everything that happened again. How she and Sophia split up so that Sophia could stop me. But then, she waited for her for close to an hour, but she didn't find her. It was when she heard a gunshot that she became scared and she ran back home. I believed that it was during the time I was shot that Mary ran back home. But what about Sophia? I could not eat, I could no
Alessandro's POV. The moment the words left my mouth, everyone was shocked. My men were surprised and I could see Jared pleading with me silently with his eyes, but I shook my head. This was for the best. There was no need living such a dangerous life and besides, we were already outnumbered. If we wanted to remain alive, this was the only way. "Wow!" Angelo exclaimed. He was actually not expecting me to agree to his request so he was shocked. "So this is all there is to the great Alessandro?" He started mocking me immediately he got his composure back. "I do not have the time for this Angelo, I have already agreed to your request so let me and my men go!" I gritted my teeth in anger as I spoke but Angelo did not acknowledge what I said. He only waved his hands in the air as if to wipe away my words. "You know, for someone clearly under my mercy, you have quite the guts," He teased. "But then, I'm not surprised, you are still trying to show that you are not weak w
Alessandro's POV. I continued looking around as I walked cautiously with Jared beside me. Something felt off about the whole thing but since I was already here, it was pointless to turn back. We got to the dock where the people were already offloading the shipment. It was hard drugs that Angelo was supposed to get but I decided to take it from Angelo just to prove who the mafia king is. "Are these everything?" I demanded in a rough voice. "Yes sir, they are all here," The loader trembled as he spoke. I could not blame him, many people who have heard of me or come across me all know who I was so he had every right to be afraid. "Alright! You may go!" I said to the loader He bowed his head and quickly turned the boat back. "Check it," I instructed Jared. I knew the loader would not dare try to decieve me which was why I did not bother checking it in his presence. Jared went on my knees and opened the shipment, he counted and saw that they were complete. "It's
Sophia's POV. My eyes widened in shock as I could hardly believe what Ray was saying. Priest? Marry? What the hell was going on? What was this sick bastard thinking? I started struggling to speak. He saw that I wanted to talk. "You want to say something?" He asked. Since my mouth was taped, I could only nod. "Then promise me that if I remove the tape that you will not shout," He said and I nodded again. "Alright," He looked at me suspiciously and the removed the tape from my mouth. I exhaled deeply and began to breathe fast. "So what is it you wanted to tell me?" He inquired. "I need us to talk Ray," I told him. "Talk about what?" Ray asked. "This whole marriage thing, you can't force me to marry you," I said. "Why? Force? No, have you forgotten that you already promised your father that you will give me a chance? And besides, we were already engaged before the whole Alessandro issue came up," He replied. I blinked at him surprised that he seem to have f
Author's POV. Few days later Alessandro decided to go and collect the shipment. He knew that Sophia would want to try to stop him so he made all his arrangements secretly. He acted like he was going out on a normal walk but Sophia knew better. She begged Mary to to help her so she could follow Alessandro. "But you know it's dangerous, Alessandro would not be happy if he discovers that you followed him," Mary tried to dissuade her but Sophia's mind was already made up. "I know Mary but I have a bad feeling about this. Alessandro is getting himself into trouble and I can't sit back and watch so I have to do this," Sophia explained to Mary. "So what will you do when you get there? Do you think you would be able to stop him?" Mary asked her with worry evident in her voice. "I don't know for now but I will know what to do when I get there depending on the situation," Sophia tried to convince Mary. Mary knew that there was no use trying to stop her. "You are as stubborn a
Author's POV. Ray forgot to tell Marcus something so he decided to come back to the hospital. Immediately he got there, he saw some men in black marching out of the hospital. He recognized them as Angelo's men and he quickly rushed inside. He got to Marcus room and saw him all bloodied and battered. He did not need any explanation to guess what had happened. He quickly called the doctor for help dashed out of the room. He came out just in time to see Angelo's men about to enter their cars. "Hey! Stop!" She shouted and they stopped. "Yes?" Fowler asked looking menacingly but Ray was not intimidated. "What did you come to do here?" Ray asked them. "None of your business!" Came the sharp reply from Fowler. He was about to enter the car again when Ray held his hand stopping him. "Calm down, I know you came to deal with Marcus and honestly, it's none of my business what you do to him or with him," Ray explained himself. "So why are you questioning me?" Fowler asked l
Author's POV. Marcus jaw tightening in anger and his hands clenched tight that his knuckles were almost turning white. "Ray, whatever it is you are planning do not do it! Don't do anything stupid that would hurt my daughter!" Marcus warned but Ray only looked at him and scoffed. "You did the wrong thing first by allowing that useless bastard Alessandro to take her with him," Ray retorted. "I already told you that she would be coming back soon so you don't have to do anything!" Marcus tried persuading Ray, but he would not listen. "You don't understand that the thought of her staying in the same space with that psycho is enough to make my blood boil so I will not sit down and let him take her sway from me," Ray insisted. "Ray! Listen to me at least!" Marcus pleaded in a desperate voice. "There is nothing you are going to say that would make me change my mind or stop me from what I am going to do so stop wasting my time and give me Alessandro's address now!" Ray demande