Chapter 10

~Sophia

One week. One week until I became Mrs. Nathaniel James. The thought sent a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through me. As I sat across from him at breakfast, watching him sip his coffee, I couldn’t help but smile. This man—this incredible, unexpected man—was about to change my life forever.

Nathaniel glanced up from his tablet, catching my gaze. His lips curved into a knowing smirk. “You’re staring again, Mrs. Soon-to-be James.”

I laughed softly, playing with the edge of my toast. “Maybe I’m just memorizing my last few days of being Sophia… whoever I am now.”

“You’re impossible,” he said with a chuckle. Then, reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his black credit card and slid it across the table.

“What’s this?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“It’s a blank check,” he replied, leaning back casually. “Go shopping. Buy whatever you need to make yourself sparkle on our wedding day.”

I blinked, momentarily stunned. “Nathaniel, this is—”

He held up a hand, cutting me off. “No arguments. And don’t forget to pick up your dress. It just arrived from Italy yesterday.”

My heart skipped a beat. “The Valentino dress?”

“The very one,” he confirmed with a grin. “Go try it on. Make sure it’s perfect.”

I let out a delighted squeal, barely able to contain my excitement. “I can’t believe I’m going to wear Valentino! You’re really spoiling me.”

Nathaniel leaned forward, brushing his knuckles against my cheek. His eyes softened, making my breath hitch. “You deserve nothing less, Sophia.”

With that, he stood and kissed me gently before heading off to get ready for work. “Don’t wait up for me tonight,” he called over his shoulder. “I might have a late meeting.”

As the door clicked shut behind him, I slumped back in my chair, staring at the card in my hand. Excitement bubbled inside me, but it was quickly overshadowed by a familiar ache. My phone buzzed on the table, and when I picked it up, Lily’s name flashed on the screen.

I answered quickly, lowering my voice. “Hey, baby.”

“Mommy!” her sweet voice chirped through the line, making my heart swell. “I miss you!”

Tears pricked my eyes. “I miss you too, my love. Are you being good for Aunt Martha?”

“Yes!” she giggled. “But when are you coming to see me?”

I hesitated, glancing at Nathaniel’s empty seat. “Soon, sweetheart. I promise. I’ll call you back later, okay?”

“Okay, Mommy. I love you!”

“I love you too, my angel.” Ending the call, I stared at my phone, the memories rushing back like a tidal wave.

Five years ago, I had been a different person—a naive girl trying to survive after losing my parents in a car crash. Stripping had been my only option to make ends meet, though it killed a part of my soul every night.

He walked into the club, named “The Velvet Room”, a mysterious man with a mask. He was different from the others—quiet and serious, always sitting alone in the corner. I didn’t know why he wore the mask, but it made me curious. I also wore a mask every day at work. My colleagues called me the “Masked Shakira,” not knowing the real reason behind it. I wore it to hide my shame, ashamed of the things I had to do just to get by.

One night, as I danced for him, something shifted. His gaze felt like a fire branding my skin, and I found myself drawn to him in ways I couldn’t explain. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I had given him everything—my innocence, my trust, my heart.

Two weeks later, I discovered I was pregnant. Panic consumed me. I knew he was the father; he was the only man I’d ever been with. Desperate and scared, I sought him out.

When I finally found him at the same club where we used to meet, both of us wearing our masks as we always did, my heart shattered under the weight of his words.

“A cheap prostitute like you?” he sneered, his voice cold and cruel. “You think you can pin your bastard child on me? Go find someone else to scam.”

He tossed a wad of cash at my feet. “Use this to get rid of it. That’s all you’ll ever get from me.”

The tears came before I could stop them. His rejection shattered me, and for a brief moment, I considered doing as he said. I even went to the clinic, but Lily was a fighter. She survived, despite everything.

Snapping out of the memory, I realized a tear had slipped down my cheek. Wiping it away, I stared at Nathaniel’s card. This was my second chance—a new life. I couldn’t let the past define me anymore.

Lily was a blessing, even if her father had rejected her. I didn’t even know his name, but he had given me Lily, my greatest blessing.

I shook my head, pushing the memories aside. Nathaniel didn’t know about Lily, and I wasn’t sure how to tell him I had a child with a man I barely knew. How would he see me? Would he think I was promiscuous, someone who slept around? I decided I wouldn’t tell him—not until I was sure about the new life I was stepping into.

Dialing my sister Martha’s number, I hoped she could join me for some much-needed shopping.

“Soph!” Martha answered cheerfully. “What’s up?”

“Come shopping with me,” I said. “I need a second opinion on some things.”

“Wish I could,” she said regretfully, “but I’m out of town for the week. Rain check?”

I groaned. “Fine. Have fun without me.” Ending the call, I sighed. I really needed new friends.

My mind wandered briefly to Sarah—stupid Sarah. If she hadn’t betrayed me with Ethan, she would’ve been by my side now, helping me pick out the perfect shoes to go with my Valentino gown. Instead, I was stuck doing this alone.

Shaking off the negativity, I headed to the boutique. The moment I stepped inside, the saleswoman’s face lit up.

“You must be Sophia James!” she exclaimed. “Your dress is ready.”

When they brought it out, my breath caught. It was everything I’d ever dreamed of—pure white silk, intricate lace details, and Swarovski crystals that shimmered like a thousand tiny stars.

“You look stunning,” the saleswoman said as I tried it on.

I stared at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. For the first time in years, I felt beautiful.

Just then, my phone buzzed. I stepped out of the dress and checked the screen. Ethan.

I rolled my eyes and opened the message.

“Meet me at our usual place. We need to talk.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Usual place? Did he still think we had a “usual place”?

Quickly, I typed out a reply. “Meet me at this address instead.”

This time, I was calling the shots. Whatever Ethan wanted, he’d have to play by my rules.

As I left the boutique with my dress in hand, a new sense of determination filled me. My past might have shaped me, but it didn’t define me. This was my life now, and I was ready to fight for it.