MARK'S POVI pulled out of the warehouse parking lot, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief. The issues were finally under control, and I could focus on other things for now. Like tackling the bad press about my family and me. Instead of heading back to the office, I decided to go straight home. The day had been long enough already, and I needed some time to myself. As I drove, my mind drifted to Sofia's press conference. I hope it has gone smoothly and she is handling the pressure just okay. I quickened my pace, eager to see her and hear all about it.Pulling into our driveway, I noticed Sofia's car wasn't there. Where was she?As I walked into the living room, the kids' excited chatter and laughter greeted me. I smiled, grateful for the warm welcome. After a long morning sorting out issues at the warehouse, coming home to my kids was just what I needed."Daddy's home!" Luis squealed, racing into my arms.I scooped him up, twirling him around while Joey clung to my leg, beaming.
Sofia's Pov My eyelids were heavy and so was my heart, I couldn't believe my father would do such a thing to me. I'm not even ready for marriage yet, I'm only twenty years old and he sold me off to a man far older than me. My little brother Carl held onto my white wedding dress, “Sofia, is today your wedding day?” He asked curiously and I gave him a bitter smile, the thought of leaving him behind makes my heart ache and I know my father wouldn't care for him like I do. “Yes, Carl” I replied and he pouted fiddling with my dress, I was wondering if my so-called husband would let me take him, I heard he has kids I will be taking care of too, and maybe he wouldn't mind me taking my brother along. But I knew better than to lie to myself about it, he is a ruthless man from what I heard and even if I haven't seen him I'm already scared to death with the thought of being tied to him, forever. The makeup artists entered my room and the woman who helped me wear my dress left the room with
Sofia's Pov I finished saying my vows with a shaky voice, and I'm sure the priest urinated on himself as the terrifying bloodshot eyes of the man fell on him. “I pronounce you, husband and wife, you may--” The priest didn't finish the words as he grabbed my hand and dragged me away from the altar, my brother was missing in the crowd lying on the floor out of fear, and I could see dead bodies among them. I took one last glance at the dead man by the altar and prayed for God to let him rest in peace, this will haunt me until the day I die but for now, I need to focus on where I'm going. I swallowed any protest against his iron grip on my hand, he wasn't hurting me because I had felt worse and my father almost broke my hand one time he held me like this, he opened the door to another Porsche car parked outside and shoved me in. I groaned and obliged then he entered the driver's seat and brought the engine back to life, I looked outside the window and saw the driver who brought me he
Sofia's Pov I quickly turned on the light and gasped as I noticed she was going to cry. A loud cry made me flinch as the baby beside me started crying as if on cue the other one on top of me followed, the door burst open, and an angry-looking man with a gun glared at me. My husband looked like he was on the verge of pulling the trigger and I quickly got out of my stupor, I carried the youngest who looked like a baby. Oh, the baby who needs to be fed well, and it's passed time for her dinner I think. The other one climbed up the bed crawling towards me. “What are you doing?” He asked with a frown and I started sputtering nonsense. “I...I..was sleeping...I..”“You were sleeping? Have you even seen the kids or bothered to check up on them before going to bed?” He glowered and I gulped cursing myself under my breath. How did I not think about that? “I should just get rid of you before you become a problem to me” He corked the gun and I flinched patting the baby as her cries got lo
CHAPTER FOUR Sofia's Pov I'm so screwed. That was the only thing I could think of as I went to bed that night and I woke up the next morning when I heard a piercing cry of a baby, when did we get a baby? Oh my goodness, I sprang up from the bed and carried her from her crib that had been transferred to my room, I quickly fetched her feeding bottle from the food warmer and started feeding her. She slurped on the bottle and I was relieved that she had calmed down, but I hoped all that noise didn't wake up her father. It was past five in the morning and I'm used to waking up early but not this early, I yawned exhausted, and smiled at the cute brown hair angel in my arms. Her bright brown eyes shone brighter as she grabbed my hair still sucking on her feeding bottle, I giggled and released the strands she captured in her tight grasp. I have always wondered how babies can manage to do that despite being small and fragile, "I guess you aren't as cute as you look, you are a to
Sofia's POV I spent the rest of the day lost in thought, contemplating how to prove myself to Mark. The event tonight was my chance to show him I'm more than just a clumsy, young woman. I needed to demonstrate my worth, not just for my sake, but for my brother's safety. As I helped the maids with Jojo and Luis, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Mark was testing me. His words echoed in my mind: "I'm not going to kill you if you prove your worth." The stakes were high, and I had to rise to the challenge. As the evening approached, I retreated to my room to prepare. I stared blankly into my little closet, my mind racing with the difficult task ahead-choosing the perfect outfit the outing with Mark tonight. "What do I wear?" I speculated, looking over the range of colors and styles before me. I had to make a good impression, not just for Mark, but for other people I will be meeting there. The weight of this realization made my stomach twist into knots. I began grabbing dresses,
Mark's POV I stood at my study window, gazing out at Madrid's twinkling city lights. The scent of old leather and cigar smoke lingered, reminders of late nights spent strategizing with my associates. My mind wandered to Emily, my late wife. Her passing still felt like an open wound. "Mark?" Sofia's soft voice interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I said, turning from the window. The door creaked open, and Sofia entered, her eyes downcast. Her dark hair fell in loose waves down her back, framing her heart-shaped face. "How're you?" I asked, regretting the question instantly. It sounded hollow. "I'm good and adjusting well, I presume?" Sofia murmured, her voice barely audible. I stared at her, recalling her clumsiness and innocence. During dinner, her awkwardness was palpable. She spilled wine, knocked over a glass, and apologized profusely. "Yeah, you are," I replied, watching her. "I've received threats from a rival and we'd be heading out anytime soon." Sofia's face paled.
CHAPTER 7 MARK'S POV I signalled my team to halt before Victor Russo's warehouse. Darkness enveloped us, broken only by faint moonlight. Damien, Kali, Vinnie, Marco, and Natasha's faces were etched with determination, their eyes locked on our target. "Locked doors," Marco whispered as he examined the entrance. I nodded to Marco. "Take care of it." Marco approached the door, inspecting the lock. Suddenly, he froze, then gazed upward. "Cameras," Marco whispered urgently. "We're probably being watched." We followed his gaze. Multiple cameras focused on us. "Or maybe not," I added. Kali quickly assessed the situation. "We need to disable them," she whispered. I signalled to Vinnie and he quickly got into action. He swiftly dispatched the cameras, shattering the lenses. Damien stood behind and covered our rear, vigilant while Natasha monitored the surrounding rooftops. Kali sprinted toward the CCTV room, located adjacent to the warehouse. "I'll disconnect the feeds." I nodde
MARK'S POVI pulled out of the warehouse parking lot, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief. The issues were finally under control, and I could focus on other things for now. Like tackling the bad press about my family and me. Instead of heading back to the office, I decided to go straight home. The day had been long enough already, and I needed some time to myself. As I drove, my mind drifted to Sofia's press conference. I hope it has gone smoothly and she is handling the pressure just okay. I quickened my pace, eager to see her and hear all about it.Pulling into our driveway, I noticed Sofia's car wasn't there. Where was she?As I walked into the living room, the kids' excited chatter and laughter greeted me. I smiled, grateful for the warm welcome. After a long morning sorting out issues at the warehouse, coming home to my kids was just what I needed."Daddy's home!" Luis squealed, racing into my arms.I scooped him up, twirling him around while Joey clung to my leg, beaming.
SOFIA'S POVAs I stood in front of the mirror, I adjusted the fitted blazer, smoothing out any wrinkles. The tailored pants hugged my curves perfectly, exuding confidence and poise. My heels, a matching neutral shade, added a touch of sophistication to the overall look. I had aimed for a "boss lady" vibe, and I was convinced I had nailed it.I glanced at my watch, It was 9:45 AM. The driver should be arriving any minute now. Mark had instructed him to pick me up on time, to ensure we arrived at the briefing with plenty of time to spare.As I waited, I took a few deep breaths, mentally preparing myself for the charade ahead. I rehearsed my lines, visualized the smile I would wear, and steeled myself for the cameras and questions.A knock at the door broke the silence. "Ma'am, your car is ready," Maria the maid announced.I grabbed my clutch and took one last look in the mirror. The woman staring back at me was unrecognizable – polished, poised, and ready to face the world.I stepped ou
SOFIA'S POVI woke up to a beautiful, bright, sunny morning, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. After a gentle stretch, I got out of bed and began my daily routine. First things first, bath time for the kids! I spent some quality time getting them cleaned up and dressed for the day. They chattered excitedly as we made our way downstairs to have breakfast. As we settled in for breakfast, the kids climbed into their chairs, eager for their morning meal. As I poured cereal into the kids' bowls, Mark's sudden entrance caught my attention. His expression was tense, and his eyes seemed to hold a mix of urgency and frustration. "Hey," Mark greeted, his voice low and serious."Good morning," I greeted, faking a smile. Mark ignored my greeting and hesitated before finally speaking. "There's a press briefing scheduled for today, and I need you to represent me."My spoon hovered over the cereal box, "Me? Why?"My mind raced with confusion and alarm as Mark's words hung in the ai
MARK'S POVSofia giggled out loud, her eyes sparkling with delight as she heard the kids insist on sleeping in her room; I couldn't help but watch her. The way her face lit up, the gentle curve of her smile, it was infectious. But I reined in my thoughts, reminding myself to maintain my reserve."Sofia, don't get too carried away," I cautioned, my voice softer than I intended. "It's just the kids being kids."Sofia's response was barely above a whisper, but her words struck a chord within me. "I'm just happy they want to be close to me."I didn't respond. Instead, I stood up, my movements abrupt, and walked into my room. The door closed behind me with a soft click, a deliberate separation from the warmth Sofia's words had ignited. For a moment, I forgot I was mad at her from the party.I stepped into my room, shutting the door behind me. I began to undress, shedding my clothes as I made my way to the shower. As the warm water travelled down my body, I couldn't shake off Sofia's radia
CHAPTER 16SOFIA'S POVI stood there, completely stunned by Mark's question. His words cut deep, making me feel like I was the one who'd done something wrong. Again. My eyes sting, but I refuse to let those tears fall. How could he not see the embarrassment and hurt still radiating from me? Didn't he care that I had been humiliated in front of everyone?"Whose jacket is this?" Mark repeated, his voice firm.I stammered, taken aback by his indifference. "A-a man...he gave it to me. He saw me standing outside, alone and cold. He was nice enough to offer it."My voice trembled slightly, betraying my emotions. I couldn't believe Mark's priorities.I looked up at Mark, searching for empathy, but his expression remained unreadable.Mark rolled his eyes, and his gaze snapped back to mine, the intensity making me shift uncomfortably. "Can you describe what he looked like?" he asked, his tone firm but laced with a hint of frustration.I hesitated, trying to recall the stranger's features. My
CHAPTER 15MARK'S POVI stood frozen, my eyes locked on Sofia's retreating figure. The drama had unfolded like wildfire, leaving me reeling. I didn't know what to believe or who to trust. Confusion swirled in my mind, but I kept my expression neutral, not wanting to fuel the tension.Internally, I was torn. Part of me wanted to rush after Sofia and apologised. Perhaps make things right. Another part remained loyal to my family, questioning Sofia's accusations.As the room began to stir, I made a decision. "I need to see the truth," I thought."I'll review the CCTV footage," I said to myself, resolve firming in my voice. "That'll clear up what really happened."I turned and headed toward the security room, determined to uncover the truth behind the spilt drinks and Sofia's anguish.I walked briskly into the security room and was immediately struck by the guards' rumpled appearance. There were three of them, each looking like they had just been in a scuffle.The first guard, a burly man
SOFIA'S POV I stood frozen, my dress soaked and dripping with the spilt drinks. The waitress still apologized profusely, her eyes darting nervously around the room."I'm so sorry, miss. I'm clumsy sometimes."I barely acknowledged her, my mind reeling from the shock. And then, Mark's mother appeared, her expression concerned."Sofia, what happened?"I took a deep breath, trying to explain. "This waitress...she spilled drinks on me. I think it was intentional. She looked at me before pouring—"But before I could finish, Mark's mother's expression transformed. Her eyes flashed with anger, and her hand swung, connecting with my cheek in a stinging slap.I gasped, shock and pain radiating through my face. I held my cheek, stunned."How dare you accuse my Niece of such behaviour?" Mark's mother spat, her voice venomous.Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to process what had just happened."I...I didn't know she was your niece" I stammered incoherently. "I didn't spill
SOFIA'S POVAs we pulled away from my Mark's mansion, the warm evening sunlight cast a golden glow over the city. The sounds of honking horns, chattering pedestrians, and car engines gradually faded into the background. We hit the highway, and the smooth hum of the car's engine took over.I settled into the plush leather seat, feeling a mix of comfort and unease. Mark's decision to drive himself this evening surprised me. Where was his usual chauffeur? I wondered. Was this a deliberate choice because we were going for a family event, or was there another reason?The quietness between us was palpable, almost thick enough to touch. Mark's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, I sneaked glances at him, noticing his sharp jawline and the shape of his brow.Outside, the city transformed into a montage of colours – neon billboards, streetlights, and brake lights of evening buses. We drove past rows of towering skyscrapers, their windows reflecting the vibrant hues of the setting sun.As th
CHAPTER 12SOFIA'S POV As I took a quick shower, the warm water enveloped me, melting away the tension of the evening. My muscles relaxed, and I breathed in slowly.But as I closed my eyes, my mind began to wander. Thoughts of Mark's behaviour and the mysterious evening ahead faded into the background, and it was replaced by a more familiar, comforting presence - my brother Carl.I hoped he was doing okay. It felt like an eternity since we'd last sat down together, just the two of us, sharing our thoughts and laughter. Life had been busy, pulling us in different directions, but my concern for him remained constant.Memories of our childhood flooded my mind - the silly fights, the whispered secrets, and the uncontrollable laughter. I recalled the time we snuck into Mom's kitchen and devoured an entire batch of freshly baked cookies, leaving a trail of crumbs and giggles in our wake.Those carefree days seemed like a lifetime ago but the bond still remained strong."I hope you're holdi