3. The Decision

SOPHIA'S POV

The rest of the day passed in a blur, though I couldn’t recall anything I had actually done. I spent hours pacing my room, staring out at the sprawling Moretti estate, and running through every possible outcome of Luca’s proposition.

Marry him. The words echoed in my head like a bell I couldn’t unring.

When I accepted this job, I knew I was stepping into a world that was nothing like my own. But I had never imagined this—a contract marriage to a man who ruled his world with an iron fist. A man whose very name inspired fear.

Yet Luca didn’t frighten me. He unsettled me, sure. His intensity, the sheer weight of his presence, the sharpness of his eyes, all of it kept me on edge. But fear? No. What unnerved me most was the way he managed to look at me as though he already knew my answer, as though he already owned the part of me I had not yet offered.

I thought of Clara, her shy smile and the way her face lit up when she spoke about books. She was innocent, oblivious to the danger that lurked around her. Luca’s world might be dark, but I couldn’t deny his devotion to her. Everything he did, everything he was, revolved around her safety.

By the time the sun set, my mind was made up. I wasn’t entirely sure if it was the right decision, but it was the only one that felt... necessary.

*****

The study looked different at night. The fire cast long, flickering shadows across the room, and the air seemed heavier, filled with an almost palpable tension. Luca was seated at his desk when I entered, his attention fixed on a stack of papers.

“Sit." He said, his tone neutral as always.

I sat, my eyes scanning the place like I had never been in there before. Everytime I went in, it always felt like the first time.

“Have you come to a decision?” He asked, making me look at him.

“Yes." I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

That made him pause. He set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, finally meeting my gaze. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes searched mine as though trying to gauge the truth of my answer before I even said it.

“I’ll do it.” I said, the words falling from my lips like stones.

Something flickered in his eyes—relief, maybe?—but it was gone before I could be sure. He nodded once, as though he had expected nothing less.

“Good.”

“That’s it?” I asked, his lack of reaction surprised me.

“What more do you want?” He replied, arching a brow slightly. “You’ve made your choice. Now we move forward.”

The detachment in his tone sent a chill down my spine. This wasn’t a man accustomed to expressing gratitude or sentiment. To him, this was a business transaction, plain and simple.

“Why me?” I asked, unable to stop the question from spilling out.

He tilted his head slightly and studied me for a moment. “Because you’re perfect for the role.”

“The role.” I repeated, bitterness creeping into my voice. “You keep saying that like this is some kind of performance.”

“In a way, it is." He said, his tone unflinching. “The world I live in requires appearances. To outsiders, this marriage will be a symbol of stability and strength. A way to protect Clara without raising suspicion.”

“And to me?” I asked.

“To you, it’s a means to an end." He said bluntly. “Protection. Security. A way out of financial problems, if that’s what you’re looking for.”

I shook my head, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “You’re asking me to change my entire life, to tie myself to you, and you’re making it sound like some kind of business deal.”

“That’s exactly what it is, isn't it?” He raised his brow, his voice cold. “Don’t mistake this for something it’s not, Sophia. This isn’t about love or romance. It’s about survival.”

The words stung, even though I hadn’t expected anything different. Still, the sheer finality of them left an ache in my chest I couldn’t explain.

“What happens now?” I asked, forcing myself to stay composed.

He stood, moving to a cabinet against the wall. From it, he retrieved a slim folder and placed it on the desk in front of me.

“Here are the terms," he said, his voice all business again. “You’ll stay here in the estate. Your primary role will remain Clara’s tutor, though we’ll present you as her stepmother to the outside world. You’ll attend certain public functions with me as needed, but your involvement in my other affairs will be minimal.”

“Your other affairs.” I repeated, my voice hollow.

“You don’t need to know the details." He said firmly. “The less you know, the safer you are.”

I opened the folder, my eyes scanning the neatly typed pages. It was all there—an entire life reduced to a series of legal terms and conditions.

“And when this is over?” I asked, looking up at him.

“When the threat is neutralized, the marriage will be annulled.” He said. “You’ll be free to leave with whatever compensation we agree upon.”

I closed the folder, letting out a shaky breath. “And if I break the contract?”

His gaze darkened. “You won’t.”

The warning in his tone was unmistakable.

I stood, clutching the folder to my chest. “I’ll read this tonight.”

“There’s no need.” He said blankly. “You’ve already made your choice, haven't you?”

I hesitated, his words hanging heavy in the air. He was right, of course. No matter how many times I read the contract, the outcome wouldn’t change.

“Good night, Mr. Moretti.” I said, my voice was quieter now.

“Good night, Miss Blake.”