chapter 5

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,