Sophia’s POV After Michael left my apartment, the silence felt heavier than usual. I was still replaying his sharp words in my mind when my phone buzzed. It was a message from Crystal. Crystal: Hey, how are you holding up? By the way, Williams asked about you earlier. He still cares, you know. I stared at the screen, unsure how to respond. Finally, I typed something vague: Me: I’m fine. Tell him thanks. Almost immediately, Crystal replied. Crystal: Fine? That’s all? Sophia, be honest. What’s going on with you two? I sighed, leaning back against the couch. I knew Crystal wouldn’t let it go, so I answered carefully. Me: Nothing. There’s nothing between us. Her reply came faster this time. Crystal: Come on, everyone from college thought you two would end up together. You liked him, and he liked you. You were practically inseparable. I shook my head, smiling faintly at the memory. Crystal wasn’t wrong. Back in college, Williams and I had been close. He was charming, thoug
Sophia’s POV I noticed it as soon as I reached Williams' table. The sleeve of my uniform had turned red, the fabric soaked with blood. My burn wound must have reopened when Joe grabbed my arm earlier. I tried to cover it, but Williams’s sharp eyes immediately caught the stain. “Sophia, your arm,” he said, standing abruptly. His face was full of concern, his usual calm replaced by urgency. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?” “It’s fine,” I said quickly, brushing it off. “I’ll take care of it after my shift.” “No, you won’t,” he said firmly. “Come on. I will take you to the hospital.” Before I could argue, Williams was already guiding me toward the door, his hand gentle yet insistent on my back. At the hospital, the doctor unwrapped the old bandages and cleaned the wound. I winced at the sting, but I didn’t say anything. “You’re lucky this didn’t get infected,” the doctor said, glancing between Williams and me as he worked. “Your girlfriend is really strong. She hasn’
Michael’s POV Snow had just started to fall as the plane touched down. The light flakes drifted lazily, covering the runway in a thin layer of white. I glanced out the window, my thoughts elsewhere. “Is it okay to leave Miss Berlick there?” my assistant, Daniel, asked as we descended the plane’s stairs. “She can return on her own,” I said flatly. Cindy had been a nuisance on this business trip, constantly seeking attention while contributing little of value. I had no patience for her games today, especially not when I had other matters to attend to. Daniel cleared his throat. “The cake you asked me to order has been picked up and placed in the car, sir.” “Good,” I replied, adjusting my coat as the cold air nipped at my face. “Drive the car to Sophia’s apartment.” Daniel didn’t question me, though I could feel his curiosity. I rarely made personal stops, and he must have wondered why I’d ended the trip early. But I wasn’t in the mood to explain. Today was Sophia’s birthda
Sophia's POV Michael's words hung heavy in the air. "Take off your clothes." I froze, his command piercing through the quiet confines of the car. For a moment, I considered defying him, throwing the door open, and running into the snow-covered street. But then reality came crashing down. I couldn't leave,Michael is the most powerful businessman in this city, and I can't afford to offend him. Michael was both my salvation and my obstacle. He was the only reason I wasn't drowning in debt, yet he was also the cage keeping me trapped. Even when I tried to free myself by resigning, I had no better alternative. There was no escaping from him. I smiled bitterly to myself, the gesture hollow and self-deprecating. What a pathetic existence. Michael noticed my silence, his sharp gaze unwavering. "If you refuse, I'll make things simple for you," he said, his voice cold and deliberate. "I can buy out your debt. It wouldn't take much effort." The weight of his words crushed me. My eyes fill
Sophia’s POV Michael’s gaze was all on me, dark as always. His sharp eyes lingering on the bandage wrapped around my arm. I expected his usual cold attitude or some rude remark, but instead, he sighed softly. That surprised me. The sign was quiet, almost weary, as though he carried a burden I couldn’t see. Without a word, he stood up and picked a shirt from his closet and dropped it to me to wear.“Come with me,” he said, in a calm but firm voice. I followed him downstairs to the dining room of his huge house, where the soft glare of candlelight radiated a table covered with the most exquisite dinner I’d ever seen. The rich aroma of freshly cooked steak, roasted vegetables, and decadent desserts filled the air. “What?” I felt my mouth shockingly open. What and why was he doing this? Only to make me be with him in this toxic relationship?“For your birthday,” Michael said simply, gesturing to the table. I stared at him, unsure of what to say. My birthday wasn’t that day, an
Sophia’s POV When I woke up the next morning, the memory of last night was clear.When we were about to get into the last step, I pushed Michael away for a moment of sober mind and ran back to my place.. I stared at the ceiling, I didn’t remember falling asleep.But Michael's cold eyes linger in my mind.I turned my head toward the nightstand, where my phone rested. As I reached for it, a sharp pain shot through my arm. The burn wound was still healing, a reminder of the chaos that seemed to follow me everywhere. Unlocking the phone, I noticed a new message from a colleague his name is Lincoln barrows : Linc : Sophia, Ms. Berlick’s client has been asking for you specifically. They’re unhappy with your replacement and are insisting you return to finish the project.I blinked at the screen, my heart sinking. Ms Berlick had replaced me with another interpreter after I left, but clearly, the arrangement hadn’t gone well. Linc: They’re furious. The meeting is in an hour. Please, c
Sophia's POVThe client walked in and sneered as he turned the camera on, its blinking red light a cruel reminder of my situation."You're going to make a great addition to my collection," he said, his voice dripping with malice.I froze as his fingers moved toward my shirt buttons, the small movements were irrigating and fear gripped me. He took his time, smirking, savoring my fear."I've been waiting for this since the first dinner," he said, leaning closer. His breath was warm against my skin, making my stomach crumble. "You were too perfect, sitting there all professional and composed.But now, you're mine."His words cut through me like ice.My mouth was blocked by a piece of tape, muffling my cries. My heart pounded violently, and I pulled at the ropes binding me to the chair, but they wouldn't come off.The conference room felt suffocating. It was well soundproofed I knew that much. Any scream, any desperate plea for help would die within these walls, unheard by anyone outside.
Michael’s POVI slammed the door open, But the sight before me was enough to freeze my blood.Sophia sat slumped in the chair, her arms bound tightly to the armrests, her head hanging low.The blouse she wore was disorganized, her tear streaked face turned slightly toward the camera that stood mocking her.I didn't need more than a second to understand what was happening.My jaw tightened, rage boiling in my chest as I stepped inside. The bastard responsible turned to face me, his annoyance melting into confusion."Who the hell"I didn't let him finish. My fist connected with his jaw, the crack of bone satisfying in a way that nothing else could be at that moment.I untied Sophia and we headed to the hospital I was a jerk. I didn’t deny that about myself. I had used Sophia’s desperation to force her compliance, and I’d made her surrender in ways that should have haunted me. But as I pulled that bastard away from her, watching his bloodied face crumble under my fists, I felt no regr
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
Sophia’s POVThe silence in Michael’s office was thick, suffocating.My pulse raced as he stood in front of me, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my stomach twist into knots.I could still hear the echo of his last words ringing in my head.“Where the fuck have you been, Sophia?”I had been too scared to answer.Too overwhelmed to speak.But nowMichael moved.He turned sharply toward his desk, grabbed a remote control, and pressed a button.I frowned, confused, until I heard the soft hum of the projector.I turned my head just in time to see the big screen on the wall flicker to life.And thenMy world crashed.The moment the video started playing, I felt my blood turn to ice.No. No, no, no.On the screen there I was.Standing under the blinding neon lights of Miami Underhills.Dressed in nothing but a bikini and bra.I gripped the pole, my hands visibly shaking, my entire body tense and awkward.The men in the crowd cheered, throwing money at my feet, their faces filled
Sophia’s POVThe warm steam from the shower still clung to my skin as I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around myself.I felt exhausted.The events of the past few days had drained me mentally, emotionally, and physically.But for the first time in what felt like forever, I had a moment of peace.Crystal had prepared a simple lunch just some rice and chicken and I could already smell the spices floating through the air.“Hurry up, Sophia!” Crystal called from the kitchen. “Come and eat before it gets cold!”I smiled slightly, grateful for her.She was the only one who had been there for me, the only one who hadn’t judged me or treated me like I was worthless.I quickly dried my skin, slipped into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, and walked out to join her.Just as I reached for my plateBANG! BANG! BANG!A loud, aggressive knock echoed through the apartment.I froze.Crystal’s eyes met mine across the table, her face instantly tensing.“Who is that?” she asked cautiou