CHAPTER FIVE.

Sophie barely slept that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the cold, unreadable expression on Drake’s face as he told her she was married to him. Married. To him. The words echoed in her mind, but no matter how many times she repeated them, it didn’t make any sense.

What had she signed? She kept trying to remember the papers she’d scrawled her name on, but the memory was fuzzy. Had she missed the marriage certificate buried in the stack of documents? No, she hadn’t seen it. It was a trap, a calculated move by Drake, and now she was tangled in a web of his making.

She sat up in her small apartment, staring at the gray morning light spilling through the window. Her phone buzzed on the table, and she grabbed it, hoping for some kind of reprieve from the nightmare. It was an unfamiliar number, but Sophie didn’t hesitate before answering.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Hazelwood," came Drake’s voice, smooth and chilling as ever. "I need you to meet me at my office today. It’s time to finalize the arrangements."

Sophie’s stomach dropped. "Arrangements? What arrangements?"

"The terms of your new... life," he said casually. "I’ll send a car for you. Don’t be late."

The line went dead before Sophie could protest. She stared at the phone for a moment, feeling as if the ground beneath her was crumbling. There was no way out. Not now.

Drake’s office felt even more suffocating today, the walls closing in as Sophie stepped through the door. It was as if the place was designed to overwhelm you. The polished wood, the cold steel, everything screamed control. And right now, that control was in his hands.

Drake was waiting for her, his back to her as he stood near the window. He didn’t acknowledge her entrance, which somehow only made the situation more intense.

Sophie cleared her throat. "You wanted to see me?"

Drake turned slowly, his eyes locking onto hers with a predatory gleam. "We need to talk about the next step in our... arrangement."

She crossed her arms defensively, her pulse quickening. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never agreed to this. I was tricked. You can’t just make me your wife."

"Actually," Drake said, stepping closer, his voice low and controlled, "you did agree. You signed the papers, Sophie. You agreed to everything when you took my help."

Sophie shook her head, the bitterness in her mouth threatening to choke her. "You manipulated me. You forced me into this. You’re not going to get away with it."

Drake’s lips curled into a half-smile, the kind that made her skin crawl. "I’m not forcing you into anything. You’re free to leave whenever you want. Just remember that I own you now, Sophie. And I don’t make mistakes."

Her eyes flashed with defiance. "Then why don’t you stop hiding behind your wealth and power and face me like a real man?"

Drake’s eyes darkened, but the amusement never left his face. "Oh, I’m facing you, Sophie. You just don’t understand the game you’re playing. This is about much more than just you and me. This is about survival."

Sophie felt her legs tremble, but she forced herself to stay upright. "What do you mean?"

He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "Edward Flynn is dead, and someone has to pay for it. The cops are already on your case, and they’ll keep coming for you. Your best shot at freedom is sticking with me. You’ll have protection, power, and resources you’ve never dreamed of. But you’re mine, Sophie. And I always get what I want."

Sophie’s heart pounded. She didn’t know if she was more scared of him or the truth he was revealing. Was he telling her she needed him to survive? Was this really her only option?

"You think you can control me?" she spat. "You think I’ll just sit back and let you pull my strings like a puppet? No. I won’t let you destroy me."

Drake’s expression turned cold, and for a brief moment, Sophie saw a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "You don’t have a choice. But I’m giving you a chance. I’ll keep you safe, Sophie. But you’ll need to follow my rules."

She stood tall, meeting his gaze with a fire of her own. "And what if I refuse?"

Drake’s lips tightened, and he took another step forward, his breath hot against her ear. "Then I’ll make sure everyone knows you killed your husband. And they’ll believe it, Sophie. No one will care about your innocence. Not with the kind of power I have."

Sophie’s stomach twisted in knots. This wasn’t a game to him. This was his world, and she was just a pawn caught in his ruthless scheme.

"Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "I’ll play your game. But mark my words, Drake. This isn’t over."

Drake gave her a slow smile, as if he already knew the outcome. "We’ll see about that, Mrs. Hazelwood."

The rest of the day passed in a haze. Sophie had no idea what had just happened, only that her life was now inextricably tied to Drake Hazelwood. And no matter how hard she fought, she couldn’t escape the reality that he controlled everything now.

She found herself back at the mansion, her new “home,” where she’d be under Drake’s watchful eye. The weight of the situation pressed down on her chest, suffocating her. She didn’t know who she was anymore. Was she Sophie Myers, the woman who had fought to escape her past? Or was she now just a pawn in Drake’s cruel game?

As she wandered through the empty halls, she was stopped by a voice. "You look lost."

Sophie turned to see a tall, striking woman standing in the doorway. Her hair was sleek and dark, her presence commanding. "I’m Rachel," the woman said, her eyes narrowing. "Drake’s assistant."

Sophie gave her a wary look. "I didn’t ask for your help."

Rachel smirked, stepping inside. "You don’t have a choice. You’re part of this now. And if you want to survive, you’d better learn to play by Drake’s rules. He’s not a man you want to disappoint."

Sophie stiffened, her mind racing. Was there no escape from this nightmare? Would she ever get out of this alive?

Rachel’s voice softened, as if she sensed Sophie’s inner turmoil. "I know you’re scared. But I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to help you understand the stakes. You’re in deeper than you realize."

Before Sophie could respond, Rachel walked past her, leaving the words hanging in the air.

Deeper than she realized. Sophie had no idea what kind of hell Drake was pulling her into, but one thing was clear: this was only the beginning.

That night, as Sophie lay in the massive, unfamiliar bed, she couldn’t help but think about the deal she’d just made. She wasn’t free. She wasn’t safe. She was just another piece in Drake’s twisted game.

And if she didn’t play her cards right, she might not survive it.

The sound of her phone buzzing broke her thoughts. A message from an unknown number.

"Get ready, Mrs. Hazelwood. The real work begins tomorrow."