why are you not on matching lingerie!,!!What did I teach you the last time! You are such a stubborn girl. Do you know what happens to people who can’t pay their debts? “They don’t get to walk away. They’re sold off, dragged into places they can’t imagine. Sophia’s life took a different turn when Her mother abandoned her in the shackles of her debt after squandering all the money she loaned from different people. Now she have to choose between options which are no better than each other to meet up with the debt.
Lihat lebih banyakSophia’s POV
“There are only two rules Sophia,” Micheal said with his eyes fixed on mine “one, don't fall in love with me, two don't get pregnant !” This words were on replay in my head each time I was with Mr Michael Mahone. When I heard the news that he would be engaged to an heiress the following week, he was in my bed, buried deep inside me. The television in my room had been murmuring in the background all evening, though I hadn’t paid much attention to it. But the words “Mahone Group,” spoken in the sharp voice of the anchor, caught my ear. I tilted my head toward the screen, my breathing still erratic from the exertion of our coupling. “Michael Mahone, CEO of Mahone Group, is set to announce his engagement to heiress Cindy Berlick next week. This marks the merger of two major business empires, one of the most anticipated unions in the industry.” After we finished, he sat at the edge of my bed, his shirt still unbuttoned, tie draped around his neck, only his belt was casually placed on the ground. The way he always looked after sex dressed, controlled, indifferent, he always looked like he just finished a pleasant conference. I stared at the TV, my body tensed,my pulse quicken. I would be lying if I said I wasn't upset when I heard the news, but I knew full well that to Michael Mahone I was just a toy that could be discarded at any time. He fixed his cufflinks as if the announcement were no more important than the weather. He has grey eyes, a high nose bridge, and clear facial features. If I didn't know that he was the owner of Mahone Group, I would have thought he had just walked out of a luxury brand fashion show. “I’ll be busy next week,” he said, his low voice as cold as ever. Of course I understand the words "busy next week". The announcement continued, but the words blurred together in my ears. He was here, with me. And yet, in a matter of days, he would belong to someone else. Michael glanced down at me, noticing my distraction. His steel gray eyes, cold and impenetrable, I knew why. I’d pieced it together from whispers in the office, from the expensive suits he wore more frequently, from the distant way he’d been behaving. I pulled the sheets tighter around me. “I see,” I said quietly. “Don’t sulk, Sophia,” he said, “I was about to notify you but it won’t affect us.” he said in a cold voice, “So I suppose there was no need for you to know.” I forced a smile, hating the way I cowered under his gaze. Our relationship was unspeakable, secret, and could not be public. I was a toy in the corner of Michael Mahone’s life. This was my last choice, even though there were countless girls out there who wanted to replace me. He reached out, tracing a finger along my jawline. His touch was possessive, as always, a reminder that I belonged to him at least for now. The truth was, I’d been tangled in this arrangement with Michael for 5 years now. It started with desperation. My mother abandoned me in the shackles of her debt after squandering all the money she loaned from different people, and I’d been drowning under the weight of the debt collectors. When Michael approached me with his offer 5 years ago, I was about to be bought by my creditors into an underground casino and become a prostitute. Once thought he was my savior, but after so many years of companionship, I have long understood that he only cares about business, not love. Five years have passed, and the "bonus" Michael gives me every month can only allow me to repay the interest on my mother's huge debt on time. but I'm still in this mess, and perhaps I've gotten myself into a worse one because I let Michael get involved. I looked straight into his deep eyes, I straightened my back as I forced the words out. “I want to stop this, Mr. Mahone.” I said, in a steady voice, only I knew I lied. “Reason?” His said pinching my chin which hurt a little, but it also made it impossible for me to avoid his gaze. ““You know I had a boyfriend… in my college. He is back in the city.” It's really hard to lie under his gaze. The words tasted bitter on my tongue, but I needed an excuse for me to leave with a little bit of dignity. Michael didn’t respond right away. He simply studied me. Then, with a faint smirk, he leaned back against the pillows. “Is that so?” he murmured, in an unreadable tone. I nodded, avoiding his eyes. I knew he didn’t believe me. Michael had a way of seeing through people, of dismantling their defenses with a single glance. But he didn’t press the matter. He rarely did. He headed for the door. “I was planning to give you another 200 thousand dollars per month, but now it seems that you don't need it anymore.,” he said without looking back on his way to the door. I stood there for a long moment after he left, clutching the sheet to my chest. When I returned to the bathroom to dress, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed, my hair a mess, and my lips still swollen from his kisses. I “actually” hated the way I looked like a woman who’d been used. I arrived at the office early the next morning, hoping to throw myself into work and avoid the heated small talks on Michael's engagement news from colleagues. My desk was tucked away in a corner of the translation department, far from Michael’s expansive office on the top floor. It was a relief to be so removed from him during the day. But no amount of physical distance could erase the knot of tension in my chest. I powered on my computer, scrolling through the documents I needed to translate for the week. My mothers debt payment day was fast approaching again, and I couldn’t afford to slack off. This job no matter how suffocating it felt at times was my lifeline. I had barely made a dent in my to-do list when I heard a familiar voice behind me. “Sophia?” I turned, my heart sinking as I came face-to-face with Cindy Berlick, fiancee of the man who slept with me for 5 years. She was even more stunning in person than in the photographs plastered across business magazines, she was tall and graceful, with perfect blonde curls and a warm smile that made her look almost approachable. “You must be Sophia,” she said, her voice melodic and friendly. “Yes, Ms. Berlick,” I said, standing quickly, reaching out my right hand. She raised her hands, and I noticed that she was holding something in both of them, so I put my hands back with some embarrassment. “Please, call me Cindy. Michael speaks very highly of you.” The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I forced myself to smile politely. “That’s kind of him to say.” “Yes,” she said, oblivious to my sudden tension. “I heard that you are in charge of important projects in the company's translation department and have made good achievements. I am really happy for Michael”. Her words struck me like a punch to the gut. She had no idea, did she? No idea that the man she was about to marry had spent countless nights in my bed. Cindy settled into the chair across from my desk, her gaze earnest. “I actually wanted to ask for a favor. I’ve heard you’re fluent in multiple languages, and I could really use your help.” I frowned, caught off guard. “What kind of help?” “There’s a business dinner next week with some foreign investors. I don’t speak their language, and I’d feel much more confident with a translator by my side. Would you mind?” My instinct was to refuse. Spending an evening in her company knowing what I knew felt unbearable. But practicality won out. I needed the money, especially if I was serious about leaving this company and putting Michael behind me. “I’d be happy to help,” I said finally. Cindy beamed, her gratitude sincere. “Thank you, Sophia. I’ll make sure you’re compensated for your time.” The irony of her kindness wasn’t lost on me. Here she was, offering me money to do a job, while I was desperately trying to distance myself from the man she loved. As she left my office table, I leaned back in my chair, exhaling shakily. Michael had chosen her, and I couldn’t blame him. She was everything I wasn’t beautiful, poised, and wealthy beyond measure. She was so kind, so genuine, and I hated myself for being part of this mess. But that didn’t mean it hurt any less. The day passed in a blur of meetings and paperwork, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Cindy's request. When the office emptied out that evening, I lingered at my desk, staring at the city lights through the window. I thought about the life I “wanted”, a life free from my mother's debt and Michael’s shadow, free from the complications of this toxic relationship, free from my guilt and shame. I would leave soon. I had to.Sophia’s POVThe morning sun streamed through my bedroom window, but its warmth did nothing to ease the weight pressing on my chest. My decision was madeI was resigning today. I couldn’t bear to work in the same building as Michael anymore. The humiliation, the heartbreak, the endless cycle of pain it had to end.I had spent the entire night awake, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything that had happened between Michael and me. The betrayal, the coldness in his eyes, the way he had chosen Cindy right in front of me it all haunted me.I needed to free myself.Just as I pulled myself out of bed and reached for my bag, my phone buzzed.Cindy: Sophia, you think you can run forever? As long as Michael does not fulfill the terms of the contract, you are still in debt.I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening around the phone. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Of course. Of course, she had to remind me that no matter how hard I tried to leave, I was still bound to this nightmare.With a
Mrs. Berlick’s POVThe evening breeze was cool as I sat outside on the large porch of my estate, watching the golden sunset paint the sky in warm hues of orange and pink. The air smelled fresh after the light drizzle that had fallen earlier, and I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders, savoring the quiet moment.But my heart wasn’t at peace.For years, an emptiness had lived inside me, one that no amount of wealth or success could ever fill. My long-lost daughter. The child I had lost so many years ago, the one I had searched for tirelessly. Hope had become my closest companion, but so had despair.Just as I let out a deep sigh, my phone vibrated on the wooden table beside me. The ringtone was sharp, breaking the silence. My fingers trembled as I reached for it. It was an unknown number.I hesitated for a moment before answering.“Hello?” My voice was calm but filled with anticipation.“Good evening, Mrs. Berlick,” a male voice spoke professionally. “This is Blessed from the private in
Michael’s POVI sat in my office, swinging slightly in my chair, feeling the weight of everything crash down on me.The silence was deafening.I reached into my drawer and pulled out the small, velvet box that had been sitting there for weeks.Slowly, I flipped it open, my eyes locking onto the expensive diamond ring inside.It wasn’t just any ring.I had handpicked it for Sophia, making sure it was as unique and breathtaking as she was.The center stone was a rare, flawless blue diamond, cut into a perfect oval shape, glistening under the office lights. Surrounding it were smaller white diamonds, intricately set in a platinum band, crafted with the finest details.It was elegant. Luxurious. Timeless.Just like her.I ran my thumb over the smooth surface of the ring, my chest tightening.This was supposed to be for her.For the woman who had somehow broken through my walls, the woman who made me feel things I never thought I could feel.But I had been too late.She didn’t love me back
Sophia’s POVI woke up to the sound of the city outside my window, the faint hum of traffic, distant honking, and people moving through their morning routines. But none of it mattered.Not today.I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind swirling with thoughts.Should I go to work today?Should I just quit and walk away from everything?Would it even matter?Everything felt so pointless.Cindy’s words from yesterday were still playing in my head.“Guess what? He has agreed to marry me so your debt can go away.”“I knew he never liked you anyway. He just likes what’s in between your legs, slut.”My stomach twisted at the thought.Michael had lied.All those moments of kindness, the quiet intimacy, the way he made me feel safe lthey had all been meaningless.He was choosing Cindy.iHe was done with me.I sighed and rolled onto my side, trying to convince myself that I didn’t care.But I did.More than I wanted to admit.A few hours later, as I was still lying in bed, debating whethe
Sophia’s POVI sat on the couch in Michael’s penthouse, my legs curled beneath me, staring at nothing in particular.For the past few days, I had been trying to find peace, trying to convince myself that things were getting better.Michael had been caring, more than I ever expected him to be. He had even apologized to me for his behavior after Paris.That should have meant something, right?But the moment my phone buzzed, I knew peace was temporary.I reached for my phone and checked the notification.It was a text from Cindy.I frowned and clicked on it.Cindy:I thought Michael loved you. Guess what? He has agreed to marry me so your debt can go away. That is so sweet of him.I knew he never liked you anyway. He just likes what’s in between your legs, slut.I froze.My hands shook as I read the text again.And again.And again.My chest tightened, and a wave of nausea washed over me.Michael… agreed to marry Cindy?Was that what he went to discuss with her?Was that why he came back
Michael’s POVAfter giving Cindy a piece of my mind, I stood up and left the restaurant, my head spinning with frustration.She was completely insane if she thought I would ever agree to her ridiculous demand.Marry her for 25 years?What kind of delusional fantasy was she living in?I clenched my jaw, gripping the steering wheel tightly as I drove toward my penthouse, my mind racing.No matter how much I tried to push it aside, Cindy’s words echoed in my head.“You claim you love her, but you can’t even pay her debt.”I gritted my teeth.She was wrong.It wasn’t about not wanting to help Sophia it was about Cindy making it impossible.She refused a down payment. She refused negotiation.She wanted complete control over me.But I would rather burn in hell than let that happen.When I arrived at the penthouse, I parked the car and walked inside, heading straight to the bar.I needed a drink.As I poured myself a glass of whiskey, I pulled out my phone and called Theo.A few minutes lat
Michael’s POVThe tension in the restaurant was thick, suffocating.Cindy sat across from me, swirling her wine lazily, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping against the glass.I had given her one simple demand cancel Sophia’s debt.But, of course, Cindy was Cindy.She always had to make things difficult.Her eyes glimmered with amusement as she crossed her legs and leaned back into her chair.“You will cancel the debt, Cindy.” My voice was firm, cold, unwavering.She let out a mocking laugh. “I will do no such thing, Michael.”I clenched my jaw as she picked up her glass and took a slow sip, as if this entire situation was nothing more than a game to her.“It has to be paid for, Michael. I don’t care about what you’re talking about.” She set the glass down and gave me a pointed look. “Sophia has to find a way to pay that debt.”I exhaled sharply, keeping my rage in check.“Why don’t you pay it then?” Cindy raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. “Since you want to be her superhero so
Michael’s POVThe moment Sophia left my office with Theo, I pulled out my phone and sent Cindy a text.Meet me in an hour. I’ll send you the location.I didn’t wait for her reply before grabbing my coat and heading out. I had no patience left. Cindy had crossed a line, and I wasn’t about to let her walk away unpunished.This wasn’t about revenge.It was about control.And I needed to remind Cindy who was in charge.The restaurant I chose wasn’t overly fancy, but it was private. A quiet place where no one would interfere.I arrived exactly on time, settled into a booth near the back, and ordered a drink.Then, I waited.And waited.And waited.Thirty minutes passed.Then an hour.And Cindy still wasn’t here.I checked my watch, my patience wearing thin.1 hour and 30 minutes.I gritted my teeth and exhaled sharply.She was playing games.Just as I was about to walk out, the restaurant door swung open.Cindy strutted in, her heels clicking loudly against the floor.She was dressed in a
Michael’s POVRage.It burned through my veins like wildfire, consuming every rational thought I had left.I stood there, fists clenched, my breathing slow and controlled but inside, I was on the verge of exploding.Cindy.That disgusting excuse for a woman.She had trapped Sophia, humiliated her, and tried to break her.And the worst part?I didn’t even know.I had been so caught up in my own bullshit that I never noticed what was happening right under my nose.Sophia had suffered.She had been pushed to the edge, left alone to deal with a storm that she should have never faced alone.And now, standing in front of me, she looked so… tired.So exhausted from all the running, all the hiding.She deserved better.And for the first time in a long time I realized how badly I had failed her.I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.Then, in a voice quieter than before, I said, “I’m sorry.”Sophia looked up at me, her eyes wide with surprise.I held her gaze. “I’m sorry for what y
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