Dante''s POVShe practically jumps on me, startling me half to death. I sit up immediately, and she slides down with a big grin on her face.“What was that for?” I ask, frowning.She shrugs, her expression nonchalant, as if nothing happened.“I need to sleep,” I mutter, almost adding a “please” at the end. I’m already tired of this back-and-forth. It’s clear she has no plans of letting me rest.“Please?” she repeats, raising an eyebrow, her hand suddenly on mine. The gesture feels way too familiar, so I yank my hand away immediately.“Please,” I echo dryly, turning back to the bed and lying down, hoping she’ll finally leave me alone.“I didn’t say you could sleep yet,” she snaps, jumping down from the bed and tugging me upright. At this point, I’m convinced she must be training to compete in some kind of jumping championship.What does she even do for a living? I know I married a stranger, but I should’ve at least asked about her job—if she has one. Helping her parents is enough of a b
Sophia's POVThe sunlight streams onto my face, waking me up. My nose twitches as I blink away sleep, the warmth of the sun on my skin reminding me of the chaotic events of yesterday—and last night.Sitting up, I glance around, my eyes landing on the open curtains. Did Dante open them? But the door is still locked. Perhaps they were left drawn back from the night before.Rubbing my eyes, I slide out of bed, a wave of hunger hitting me hard. I could probably eat a horse right now.Unlocking the door, I wander into the hallway, making my way to the kitchen. But I pause in the living room, my eyes falling on Dante sprawled on the floor, his blanket tangled around one leg while half of it hangs limply from the couch.I suppress a chuckle. Did he roll off the couch in his sleep, or did he deliberately choose the floor? His legs are splayed awkwardly, and for a moment, he looks entirely too human for the overbearing man I married.Since there’s no honeymoon talk, I figure he’ll probably hea
Dante's POVLike a storm, I burst through the doors of my parents' mansion, fury racing through my veins, my eyes ablaze with anger.I stride toward the second living room, hoping to find some peace, but no one is around except the maids, who aren't worth talking to right now.I’m looking for my mother. And my father.They are the reason I’m in this mess. If only they hadn’t tried to force me into marrying that woman in the penthouse, maybe I wouldn’t be this angry, frustrated, and sad. Maybe I would have been on my way to work, eager for a new challenge.They caused this. They need to answer for it.At the wedding yesterday, it all became clear. My mother was the one behind everything. She reminded my father about the idea and pushed him to force me into this.It’s unfair. Completely unfair.It’s cruel.Just as I approach the living room, Nitta appears. When she spots me, she smiles and waves, but I shove past her and enter the room, seeing my mother sitting in her usual chair, sippin
Sophia's POVLiam is the kind of man who loves a woman with everything he has. He’s exactly the kind of man I’ve always wanted: someone who loves fiercely and without reservation. Someone who loves me for who I am. A man who doesn’t judge my imperfections but accepts and cherishes them.A man who looks at me and smiles for no reason. A man who adores me even during my messiest moments.That’s Liam.This is who Liam is. And it’s nearly impossible not to fall deeply in love with him.The way he loves me, the way he smiles at me, and the way he silences me with a kiss when I’m in the mood to argue always leaves me weak in the knees.I continue to love him every single day because he loves me, despite everything.But there’s one problem.His betrayal.I’m not sure if Liam will ever change. Being with Clara is the last straw, and I don’t ever want to be with him again, even though it hurts.It hurts deeply.My heart aches. It feels like a fire burning inside me, a fire that nothing can exti
Dante's POVMy gaze darts outside the car window, watching the rain pattering and the droplets sliding down the glass as I ignore the fear consuming my insides.I left the office before the rain began so I could return to my parent's mansion to see Mom or Dad.But, on second thought, I decided to see Anita instead. Mom will never tell me what’s going on. Dad must have sworn to secrecy, never to tell me either, and it’s breaking me.Curiosity is killing me.My mother is dying, and I didn’t even notice something strange? Is this how much I’ve distanced myself from my family?What exactly is happening? Where is it hurting? Why did Anita use the word “dying” instead of “sick”? Is it something incurable?Mother doesn’t even look sick. She looks as healthy as always. She even looks more beautiful recently, and the thought of it almost makes me tear up.My mother can't die. No.I will do everything in my power to make sure she survives this, but first, I need to know the source of the ailmen
Sophia's POVThe thunder rumbles continuously, jolting me out of bed in panic. This is the third time tonight. The endless crashing of the thunder keeps me on edge.I can’t stand being alone in this cold room anymore.Back home, when it stormed and thundered, I would always run to my parents' room. If I didn't want to disturb them, I would take comfort in Liam’s presence.That idiot.Right now, I can't stand him. How could he betray me like that with Brenda, just because she seduced him?Twice. He let her do that to him, and now he expects me to forgive him? As if I would forget all that. Would he even be calling me now if I hadn't married someone like Dante? Would he have tried to meet me?Even though my heart still races for him, I know the best way to erase all those memories is to make new ones with someone else. It's going to be hard, but I'm determined to do it. I’ll try to move on. He’s not worth it.I rush out of my bedroom and decide to call for help. I can't sleep here alon
Dante's POVI felt a shiver run through me as she spoke. I never thought I'd see her here, in my room of all places. This was the last thing I expected.The pounding headache, the weight of my worries, and the gloomy weather outside weren't making anything easier.I walked into the room with my eyes closed, hoping everything would return to normal, like before. Back when life felt simple, when I could always turn to Mom for guidance and everything would somehow work itself out. Most of my problems were tied to my business, and she'd always be there, ready to help.There were times I even went to Dad for advice, but I'd usually end up getting help through Mom. She's been my support, my mentor. A woman with a heart of gold.So, why is Sophia here? I wondered to myself, shaking off my thoughts as she waved a hand in front of me to snap me back to reality.The headache, no doubt, was from the stress and the constant thinking. I was supposed to take a break, maybe even go on vacation with
Sophia's POVDante is good-looking but dumb.When I said we should grant his mother's wish, I didn’t mean having sex, but the horrified look on his face said it all. That was his own interpretation of my statement.I lived with Liam, yet I never had sex with him because I wasn’t ready. What then would make me have sex with Dante, whom I’m not even attracted to?Nothing."I’m not talking about sex, silly," I rushed forward toward him.He sighed with relief and finally nodded."Why would you even think of that? You’re not even my type," I blurted out before I could stop myself. He didn’t respond, and I bit my lip, regretting saying that. "Besides, it’s against the contract…""You’re not my type either," he brushed past me to the bathroom. I thought he was going to take a bath, but a second later, he came out with a wet face.Well, now we’re even. He’s not my type, and I’m not his type."Won’t you ask me what I meant?" I followed him as he walked to the bed.He slouched onto the bed. "Wh
Sophia's POVMany thoughts are running through my head while he sits calmly beside me, driving the car. I still haven't been able to comprehend his confessions. I still haven't been able to accept that my Mother is right this time.I haven't come to terms with what he said. Being nervous around men has never been my thing but for weeks, I have been extremely nervous around him and I try as much to avoid him.I know he wants answers but I have nothing to say to him. I just wished he never confessed his feelings to me and I am still as clueless as ever. I doubt if I can ever become comfortable with him again."Are you ok?" He demands with a voice thick in concern.I spare him a glance. He is watching me with a worried expression while driving expertly with his left hand. I don't think I have ever seen him drive himself."Yes", I nod and gulp down loudly before looking away.He must think I am nervous about the information I got this night which involves my father and his but that isn't
Dante POVI ache so desperately for the remaining months so she can go and I can be back to my normal self.This is what she wants. If she wanted to be gone, then maybe she will be out of my mind as well.I hate this pathetic feeling in me. With my hand entwined with hers, we run all the way home. As soon as we are inside the massive gate, I let go of her hand and begin to walk faster so I can get away from her and away from the longing I feel.When I step inside, I hurry towards the staircase. I need to get rid of these clothes and have a hot shower before going to bed.I get to my door, open it and enter before proceeding to remove my clothes. I am halfway done when the door opens again and Sophia comes in.I hear her locking the door from behind and I turn back. "What are you doing here?""I want to sleep", she answers indifferently and begins to take off her wet clothes too with her gaze still fixed on mine.When she is done taking off the jacket and her top, leaving her in just
Sophia's POV Two hours of mindless Netflix binging and a bowl of bland popcorn later, I toss the remote aside with a frustrated sigh. The movie isn’t cutting it. The popcorn? Tasteless. My patience? Hanging by a thread. Nothing seems to hold my attention these days, and the boredom is gnawing at me. It’s not just boredom, it’s something deeper. Restlessness. At first, I thought changing my surroundings would help. I left my room for Dante’s, hoping being in his space would ease the monotony. It worked, but only for a moment. Now, I’m back to feeling suffocated. I need to get out. Back when I was with Liam, boredom was never an issue. If it crept in, the solution was simple, Liam or parties. I don’t miss Liam, but I do miss the freedom of my old life. No heavy expectations. No endless worries weighing me down. Now? I’m stuck worrying about Dante, about our rocky relationship, about my parents. Dante is colder than I ever imagined he could be. It’s like he’s punishing
Dante's POV The anger simmering inside me refuses to fade, even after I apologized to her. It's an unshakable rage mixed with a suffocating tightness in my chest and a hollow ache in my stomach. I can’t get a grip on my emotions as I sit at the bar counter downstairs, staring at the glass of whiskey and wine I just poured. The sharp tang of the alcohol barely registers as I gulp it down, trying to drown the storm inside me. I wish none of this had happened. I wish I hadn’t told her how I felt. Maybe then, things wouldn’t have spiraled like this. She’s still in love with him. Liam. He’s the one she wants, or at least he was before I came into the picture. If she hadn’t learned about the arranged marriage, would she have taken him back? Accepted his apology? Maybe it’s not as easy to erase your first love as I thought. Maybe she misses how he used to kiss her. “Damn it!” I slam my fist against the counter, wincing at the sharp pain that follows. I didn’t see this coming.
Sophia's POVFinding out such a significant part of my life like this is something I never wanted Mother to know about. I never thought it through seriously. I just assumed she wouldn’t care as long as her ambitions were fulfilled.But seeing her standing there, mouth agape, I feel a deep sense of shame. I wish she hadn’t overheard my conversation with Dante.It’s mortifying.Almost as mortifying as Dante finding out I’m still a virgin despite all the wild parties, reckless behavior, and my headstrong attitude."A contract marriage?" she repeats, as though she still can’t believe what she’s just heard. Finally, she shuts her mouth. I slump onto the bed, my head bowed low in embarrassment.We shouldn’t have talked about this here."Sophia, talk to me. What does he mean by a contract marriage? Did you two actually sign a contract?" She grabs an ottoman and sits in front of me, her expression demanding answers.I’m guessing Dante was too furious to answer her earlier. He just made sure s
Sophia's POV Father is refusing to answer my questions. I’ve given him more than enough time, but his silence makes it clear—he doesn’t want to talk about it. I’m sure he knows something. Either he’s hiding something or trying to protect Dante’s father simply because he’s my father-in-law. Just like Dante said, how can we help if we don’t know the truth about their past? I try again, reaching out to him, hoping to persuade him to speak. Just then, the door opens without warning. I turn and see Mom walk in, her face lit up with excitement. “Guess who’s here?” she beams, gesturing toward the open door. Dante steps in, looking...off. His jaw is clenched, and his eyes hold a look I can’t quite decipher. He closes the door behind him and walks in, his presence heavy. I didn’t tell him Father would be discharged today—Mom must have. We haven’t been on great terms since the other night, but even then, he’s never looked this furious. Did something happen at work? Did he
Dante PovCelina has been blowing up my phone for days. She never had a reason to call me all this time, but seeing me again after so many years—now with a woman I call my wife—must have set her off. Sophia doesn’t need to know who she is. The mere thought of Celina irritates the hell out of me. How did she even get my number? She never reached out before, and now, all of a sudden, she starts calling non-stop. The first time she called, I recognized her voice before she even introduced herself. I hung up immediately. Since then, I haven’t answered her calls, not once. This morning, I finally blocked her number. She's too annoying, and I’m blaming her for Sophia’s recent coldness toward me. It’s easier to shift the blame onto Celina than to face the fact that my own actions might be the problem. It’s been days since I took Sophia to the garden, and ever since, she’s been deliberately ignoring me. She spends her nights at the hospital with her dad, but last night, she finally
Sophia’s POV Liam and Clara are the only people who know I’m a virgin. No one else. Not even my own mother. You’d think she might have guessed, considering she’s my mother. But with the wild parties Clara and I attend and the fact that I had a boyfriend for years, she must have assumed I’d lost it somewhere along the way. She never asked. And I never told her. If she did know, I’d think she was the one who told Dante. But my mother doesn’t know, so who did? “You can’t have sex with someone you don’t love,” Dante says suddenly, his voice low but sharp, cutting through my thoughts. “But you never had sex with Liam, and you were with him for years. Didn’t you love him?” The question hits me like a slap. My heart stumbles over itself, and I gape at him. “How...how do you know that?” I stammer, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound calm. “How I know doesn’t matter, does it?” “Of course it matters!” I snap, louder than I intend. Silence settles between us.
Sophia's POV My chest tightens as Liam’s lips crash against mine, the kiss fierce and demanding, his hands threading through my hair with a grip that doesn’t allow for escape. He presses harder, seeking entrance I stubbornly refuse to grant, my teeth clenched against the invasion. But resistance only lasts so long. The moment I falter, he takes full advantage, his tongue sweeping inside to claim every inch of me. His hands travel boldly downward, sending a jolt of awareness through me. Then he bites, softly but deliberately, at the corner of my lips, breaking the haze. Reality slams into me with the force of a hurricane. How did we get here? Why is this happening? My thoughts are a swirling mess of questions I can’t answer. Dante has never looked more serious than he does now. There’s no teasing smirk, no casual air about him. His dark eyes burn with something raw, something I don’t dare name. And yet, I can’t shake the disbelief. This is the second time today he’s kissed me