Chapter 4

Sophia's POV 

The ride back to Ethan’s estate was silent as I replayed everything that had happened to me. It was too much to think about and my thoughts on the matter were tangled but what stood out was the final moments I spent with Nikolai. His words played over and over in my mind like a loop. This isn't a negotiation, Sophia.

I didn't have long to ruminate on the thought though before the car rolled to a stop in front of the mansion. The driver opened my door, and I stepped out, feeling the chill of the night seep into my bones and wishing I wore something warmer.

As I entered the estate, I braced myself for the inevitable confrontation I was going to have with Ethan. I only wished that he would allow me to sleep in peace so we could talk the following day. I was just too tired to handle any more drama. 

I cursed as I went in and met him in the grand foyer. He was still in his suit from the gala, though his tie was loosened, and he paced around like he had a lot on his mind. I had a good idea what it was and I tried to keep a brave front as he looked up and noticed my presence. 

“Sophia,” he spat out my name like it was poison and his voice was laced with feigned regret. “Where are you coming from?”

I met his gaze and I could see the fury in his eyes as he waited for an answer. “You knew I was at the party, I was talking with a guest.”

He softened his expression and came towards me. His jaws were so clenched though that I knew that it was all a performance. "I was angry earlier and didn’t mean to react that way." He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You know I care about you, don't you?”

I scoffed at the false warmth in his voice. “Caring about me never stopped you from betraying me, Ethan.”

I could see the frustration on his face, it was clear that he was finding it harder to act. “I made a mistake, alright? But we have history, Sophia. Tell me that you're not going to throw that all away for him?”

I shook my head and pulled away from him. “You already threw what we had away the moment you chose Celeste. Or was it the moment you decided to keep me a secret? I don't think that I've ever known you.”

“You don't understand, Sophia. Nikolai Volkov is dangerous. You won’t survive a week with him.”

I almost laughed at his pitiful switch in tactic. How had I fallen for this man in the first place?

“Then that will be my problem, won’t it?”

Something in him snapped at my words and he could no longer keep up the pretence. His charm evaporated, and in its place was cold fury. He grabbed my wrist and squeezed it so hard that I winced from the pain.

“You really think you can just leave me?” he hissed as his grip tightened. "Do you even know who he is? What he has done?"

I yanked my hand away from him. This was the kind of drama I had been hoping to avoid. “I know exactly who you are, Ethan and that’s enough for me to walk away.”

“You might not care about yourself,” he said with an evil smirk. "But what about your mother?"

“What about her?”

He shrugged, stepping back casually and I could see that he was enjoying my unease. “She's in the hospital all alone now. You know I have people everywhere. What do you think might happen if she suddenly stopped receiving the best care?"

Cold horror washed over me. "You wouldn't dare—"

"Wouldn't I? You know me well enough to know I always get what I want."

Without another word, I turned and ran out the door.

***

As usual the hospital room smelled of antiseptic and faint lavender which I didn't like. I didn't care about it today though as I rushed to my mother's side.

Her eyes were closed and she was so still it frightened me but I looked at the beeping machine in the room to find that her breathing was fine and she was just sleeping.

It had been a false alarm and I sank into the chair beside her, taking her frail hand in mine. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Ethan had crossed a line I hadn’t even realized existed. Threatening me was one thing—but using my mother?

That was unforgivable.

I stayed by her side all night, ignoring the nurses who were telling me to sleep. Sleep evaded me and my mind couldn’t rest too as different variations of my future taunted me.

As dawn approached, I was so exhausted and was dozing off when a commotion outside the room caught my attention.

I rubbed my eyes and sat up just as the door opened and Ethan walked in.

He looked so smug it hurt and I thought of slapping the smirk off his face.

"How touching," he said, glancing at my mother before looking back at me. "You came rushing to her side. Just like I knew you would."

“You are satisfied now. What do you want?”

He stepped closer confidently. “I want you to reconsider, Sophia. Walk away from Nikolai, and maybe I’ll forget about our little... disagreement.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Forget? You threatened my mother.”

“And I can un-threaten her, too,” He said then laughed as if he had said the wittiest thing. 

My fists clenched at my sides, but before I could respond, another voice cut through the air.

“You assume you still have control over the situation.”

Ethan’s head snapped toward the open door he had forgotten to close just as Nikolai entered the room. He was dressed in a sharp black suit and quickly dominated the room with his presence.

Ethan’s smugness faltered. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Nikolai stepped closer to him and dropped the bombshell.

"I own the hospital now."

Ethan’s face paled. "You’re bluffing."

Nikolai pulled out a sleek black folder and tossed it onto the bed beside me. “The paperwork went through this morning. As of now, everything that happens here is under my jurisdiction.”

I sucked in a breath. He had bought the hospital? For me?

Ethan’s hands curled into fists. “You manipulative bastard—”

“Careful,” Nikolai cut in and stepped even closer until he was towering over Ethan. “You're running out of leverage. I'll suggest you leave this place.”

Nikolai then turned to me and extended his hand. “Come, Sophia. Don't worry about your mum. She's going to get the best medical care available”

I hesitated only for a moment before I took his hand. This was slowly becoming a habit.

With everyone watching, he led me out of the hospital, past the nurses, the doctors, and Ethan who hadn't moved from where we had left him.

The next hour was a blur but I know a car and private jet was involved then we arrived at his estate which was unlike anything I had ever seen. 

It was so grand that the gardens alone were the size of Ethan's house. The whole place reeked of old wealth and security.

Nikolai led me inside, and the moment the doors shut behind us, he turned to face me.

“We need to get this out of the way first. Are you ready to sign?”

I glanced down at the contract he put in my hands. This was a marriage of convenience and a lie but it was protection too.

I took a deep breath and then, without hesitation, I picked up the pen and signed my name.