Sofia's POVI had just finished a meeting with the University President and the board of trustees. A new university building project was in the works, and we had discussed the budget. The project had to be completed within two years, and the responsibility of overseeing the construction and everything that came with it had been delegated to me. The weight of it all felt overwhelming.I let out a quiet sigh as I pushed open the door of the meeting room, stepping out into the hallway.As soon as I did, I spotted Mr. Montague, dressed in his usual suit, a thick book in hand, walking toward me."Mr. Montague," I called out as he almost walked past me.It had been a few days since Gabriel's party, and I’d been wanting to talk to him. This was the first time I had seen him since that night. I supposed he had been busy."Yes, Mrs. Romano?" he asked, his expression unreadable."Can we talk?" I asked."Sure," he replied, still expressionless.We headed to the university rooftop for privacy.Be
Sofia's POV"Attorney Velasquez is on leave, Mrs. Romano. Let me review the statement before we release it," Mr. Montague said as he approached me when I entered the legal department. I had been looking for Attorney Velasquez, as I knew she was the one usually in charge of reviewing the statements the University was releasing."Thank you, Mr. Montague, but can you please stop calling me Mrs. Romano? You can call me Sofia," I said with a soft smile, trying to ease the formal tone of the situation."If you stop calling me Mr. Montague," he teased, a playful spark in his eyes. I found myself smiling more than I expected. Despite only knowing each other for a short time, I felt oddly at ease around him, as if I could just be myself without any pretenses."Okay, Attorney Montague," I replied with mock seriousness, trying to maintain a straight face, but I saw the slight exhale from him, a sign of his amusement, which made me laugh."Okay, Sofia. I’ll get it back to you once I’m done," he s
Dominic’s POVI had reviewed the statement that was to be released, and while it seemed fine, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might not be enough. Knowing the Sullivan family personally, I knew how easily something like this could make their blood boil. I had met Denver Sullivan before through my father, and I knew what he was capable of when his pride was at stake. This wasn’t just a business matter—it was personal for him.I couldn’t stop thinking about Sofia. I wasn’t sure what was going on in her life, but I knew that if this issue escalated, she might bear the brunt of the blame for not handling it better. The pressure was building, and I feared the worst.I stood up from my desk, intending to go to her office to check on her, but before I could take a step, the clerk stopped me."Attorney Montague," she said, "Mrs. Romano is in the boardroom with Mr. Sullivan right now."A knot tightened in my stomach. I quickly made my way toward the boardroom, my curiosity piqued. As I ap
Sofia’s POV“We truly appreciate your hard work in preventing the issue from escalating, Sofia. We simply can’t afford to let Mr. Sullivan take this to court. If they decide to withdraw the funding for the new campus building, that’s acceptable; we have emergency funds set aside for situations like this. Besides, I’m confident that Gabriel will successfully secure the deal with Mr. Merendez in California, which will allow us to expand Romano University there,” Dad Hector said, his tone steady and confident. Today was a day off, and Gabriel’s parents had kindly invited me to dinner with my parents.“Thanks, Dad,” I answered quietly, my attention absorbed by the pasta I had ordered, trying to hide the mix of relief and nervousness I felt.“I’m glad to see you’re starting to get your bearings, Sofia. Working at Romano University is a solid first step for you to get a sense of the corporate world. It’ll prepare you for bigger responsibilities in the future. Eventually, you’ll be running t
Dominic’s POV"After completing her college education, she has maintained a notably private life. The only insights available about her are through her social media presence, which primarily features videos and posts showcasing her passion for dance. However, it’s worth noting that her account has remained inactive for the past three weeks, which is unusual given her previous regular updates. Another significant detail is her marriage to Gabriel Romano on February 21, 2020, which took place just before her graduation. Beyond this, very little is known about her personal life or activities since then."That was the only information Jace, my private investigator, gave me.“Thanks, Jace!” I said before ending the call.I couldn’t help but start overthinking after what Jace told me. February 21, 2020—she got married that day, which felt a little strange. And then, her social media going silent for exactly three weeks, right around the time she started working at Romano University? It migh
Dominic’s POVSofia was so caught up in the moment at the party, her laughter and joy so infectious, that she didn’t even realize how much she had drunk. It was the first time I had seen her so carefree, so unburdened—genuinely happy—since we’d reconnected after five long years. In those years, I’d watched her carry the weight of responsibilities, the stress of life pressing down on her. But tonight, she seemed to shed all of that, glowing with freedom, even if it was just for a few hours. But she had drunk too much and passed out.Now, I was stuck, unsure of what to do next. I just couldn’t take Sofia home in that state. I didn’t want to get into any trouble, and I didn’t want the people at her house—the guard, the nanny, anyone—to think negatively about her. So, I decided to bring her to my place instead. I gently helped her into the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt as carefully as I could.As I started driving to my condo, I occasionally glanced over at her, checking on her fa
Sofia’s POVI woke up with a heavy dizziness, the kind that made my head spin the moment I opened my eyes. The familiar wave of nausea followed, and I barely kept myself from throwing up. As my vision cleared, I realized I wasn’t in my own bed, but in an unfamiliar room, with walls I couldn’t place. Panic surged through me as I stood too quickly, my legs unsteady, heart racing. I instinctively looked down at myself—still wearing the same clothes from last night. My mind scrambled, trying to pull together the hazy fragments of what had happened. The last thing I could remember clearly was the party and I was with Dominic, the laughter, the music, but everything after that was a blur. What had I done? How did I end up here?I quickly got up from the bed and noticed my heels on the floor. Without thinking, I grabbed them and hurriedly made my way out of the room. As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I froze. Dominic stood right in front of me, and I almost lost my breath at the sight o
Gabriel’s POVI gazed into Stela’s eyes, her fingers tracing the contours of my chest. The city lights outside cast a dim glow over the room, and the soft hum of the air conditioner created a soothing background noise. We lay tangled in the hotel sheets, our bodies warm and entwined.Her voice was husky as she whispered, "You're so bad, Gabriel. You're a married man." I smiled, pulling her closer, my lips brushing against her ear. "I'm not yours to judge," I whispered back, my tone low and playful. "Besides, I'm not the one who's complaining."Stela’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me deeper into the moment. Her skin was soft and warm, and I felt a rush of desire as I pulled her closer. I felt no guilt, no remorse. Only the thrill of being with someone new, and the excitement of exploring the unknown.As we moved together, the world outside seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of us, lost in the heat of the moment. I knew it was a risk,
Sofia's POVMarielli was already packing up her things when we got back to the mansion.The salty breeze still clung to my hair, and my skin was warm from the sun, but there was a quietness in my chest that hadn't been there at the beach. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was just... me realizing things a little too late.Her car sat gleaming in the driveway, freshly fixed. No more stranded days. No more unplanned bonding. She was leaving, just like that.I stood there watching her tuck a bag into the back seat, moving so easily, like everything in the world was exactly where it was supposed to be. She looked up and caught me staring.“Hey,” she said, smiling. “You survived the beach trip.”I walked closer, feeling every step like I was walking into something I couldn't name. “Barely,” I joked, then paused. “Hey, um… can we talk?”She raised a brow. “Sounds serious.”I shrugged, feeling awkward. “Kind of is.”Marielli leaned back against the car, folding her arms like she had all the time
Sofia POV The wind smelled like salt and something else I couldn’t quite name—freedom, maybe. It had been Marielli’s idea. A beach trip. Out of nowhere, like she had a sixth sense for tension and wanted to dissolve it with sunlight and ocean breeze. I had expected Dominic to shut it down immediately. But to my surprise, he hesitated—and then said yes. I watched them talk in the kitchen that morning, their voices soft but familiar. Too familiar. Something in me recoiled. I tried not to show it, tried to be polite. Detached. But it was impossible to ignore the way she looked at him, or how he didn’t pull away. I didn’t belong here. That thought lingered as I stood by the car, waiting to climb into the backseat like some intern tagging along on her boss’s road trip. “Uh-uh.” Marielli moved quickly, stepping in between us. “What do you think you’re doing?” I blinked, confused. “I was going to sit in the back.” Marielli shook her head dramatically. “Backseat? Girl, no. You ar
Dominic's POVThe mechanic was already outside, talking to Marielli. I didn’t bother stepping out—I could guess what he was going to say. Her car wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Maybe not even tomorrow.I stayed in the kitchen, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her stir sugar into her coffee like it was some kind of art. She always moved like she had a plan—even when she pretended not to.“It’s going to take a while,” she said, almost too casually. “You don’t mind if I hang around, do you?”I shrugged. “It’s your call.”She sipped her coffee, that mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. “Let’s go to the beach.”I frowned. “The beach?”“You, me, and Sofia,” she said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “She needs fresh air. And you, Dominic, need to stop brooding before your face stays that way.”I didn’t respond right away. The idea sounded good—too good. That’s what worried me.“Marielli… We’re hiding her. If someone sees us—if he finds out…”She se
Dominic’s POV Marielli visited me here at the mansion and spent the whole day helping me with Sofia’s case. She couldn’t go home because her car broke down, and it was too late to call a mechanic, so we decided she would just spend the night here. But instead of resting, she invited me to have a few beers. Now we’re outside, sitting on the wooden bench, drinking while staring up at the stars. “You really don’t sleep anymore, do you?” she asked, looking at me over the rim of her bottle. I smirked. “I’ll sleep when this case is over… or when I drop dead, whichever comes first.” She rolled her eyes, smiling. “I thought lawyers were dramatic in court, not in real life.” We both laughed, and then she tilted her head toward the sky. “Do you ever wonder what you’d be doing if none of this happened? If life didn’t pull you into… all this?” I took a moment before answering. “Maybe I’d be fixing motorcycles somewhere quiet. Somewhere no one knows my name.” She raised an eyebrow.
Sofia’s POV The late afternoon light cast a golden hue over the estate as I stood by the window, absently tracing patterns on the glass. Outside, Dominic stood near the driveway, his stance firm yet composed, as if waiting for something—or someone. Then she arrived. Marielli. The moment she stepped out of the sleek black car, a shiver ran down my spine. It wasn’t just recognition; it was memory. She wasn’t just any visitor. She was the visitor. The woman who always came to see Dominic while he worked at Romano University. The same woman who had been by his side all those years ago, back in college, when I used to see them together—laughing, talking, always impossibly close. I hadn’t remembered her before, but now, with my memories piecing themselves back together, it all came rushing back. She was always there. I watched as Dominic greeted her, his expression unreadable, yet there was an ease in the way he spoke to her, a familiarity that settled deep in my chest like
Sofia’s POV Since this morning, I hadn’t been able to talk to Dominic. Now that it was already afternoon, I realized I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him. He had been locked away in the study the entire time, completely consumed by his work. I thought about checking on him, even just for a moment, but the door remained shut. Martha told me he was always like this whenever he was focused on something—distant, unreachable. Instead of dwelling on it, I decided to go to the farm and ride a horse for a while. A quiet ride through the fields seemed like the perfect way to clear my mind. When I started feeling hungry, I decided to head back to the mansion. Maybe Dominic was done with his work, and we could finally eat together. As I stepped inside, I found him in the living room, watching the news. The moment he noticed me, he grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. “Where have you been?” he asked, his eyes scanning me as if checking if I had gone somewhere I shouldn’t have.
Sofia’s POV Dominic’s voice softened, but the steel beneath it remained. “Sofia, this isn’t just about nullifying your marriage anymore. This is about justice.” I met his gaze, and for the first time in years, I felt something other than fear. I felt rage. And I wanted the truth. Dominic leaned back, his expression grim. “That night at Romano University… I saw something that didn’t sit right with me.” A cold dread coiled in my stomach. “What did you see?” He exhaled slowly, as if weighing every word. “Brake fluid. A small puddle near where your car was parked. At first, I thought it was just an oil leak from another vehicle, but then I noticed something else—a piece of tubing, cut cleanly, lying nearby.” Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. I clenched my hands together, my mind racing. “You think my brakes were tampered with?” Dominic’s jaw tightened. “It’s too much of a coincidence. Someone wanted you dead that night. If I had gotten to you a few m
Sofia’s POV The quiet hum of the study wrapped around us like a heavy blanket, thick with the weight of unspoken truths. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with neatly arranged law books—Dominic’s world, his sanctuary. But right now, it felt like an interrogation room. And I was finally ready to confess. “You asked me to tell you everything,” I murmured, my fingers gripping the armrest of the chair. Dominic nodded, his dark eyes fixed on me. “No more secrets, Sofia.” I exhaled slowly. “It happened five years ago. The day I lost everything.” He leaned forward slightly, silent but demanding, waiting for me to continue. “I was supposed to meet someone that day,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “I had just finished cheer practice, and I was running late. I rushed through everything—my shower, my drive—because I didn’t want to miss that meeting.” I swallowed, gripping my hands together to keep them from trembling. “And then… everything went wrong.” The memory pla
Dominic’s POV The scent of something warm and rich filled the air the moment I stepped into the mansion. It wasn’t the usual gourmet meals the chefs prepared—this was different. Heartier. Almost comforting. I hadn’t expected this. After spending days in Manila, taking care of everything for our plan, I was exhausted. I had officially resigned from Romano University, cutting my last tie to that place. There was nothing left for me there, and honestly, I felt relieved. Now, all I wanted was a shower and maybe some sleep. But instead, I found myself following the scent down the hallway. And that’s when I saw her. Sofia. She stood at the counter, her sleeves rolled up, an apron tied around her waist. Steam rose from a pot on the stove, and beside her, Martha was kneading dough. A wooden board filled with chopped potatoes, cabbage, and beans sat nearby. For a moment, I just watched. She looked… different. There was a lightness in her expression, something I hadn’t seen in