Sophie’s pov ;
Ava grabbed my arm, her tone firm yet reassuring. “It’s just a small matter. Don’t worry, my brother has a driver. I can ask the driver to drive slower.”
I frowned slightly. “Still, Ava…let’s just go together. I feel a little stressed when your brother’s around.”
Ava nodded quickly, smiling. “Okay, I’ll listen to you then.”
But there was something about her expression that made me wonder. Ava had this subtle way of hiding her true intentions, but I knew her well enough to catch the flicker of mischief in her eyes.
It didn’t take long for me to figure it out. Ava had an agenda—one she thought I wouldn’t notice. She wanted to bring me and her brother closer together.
In her mind, the idea must’ve seemed perfect. One was her closest brother, someone she admired deeply. The other was me, her good friend who’d gotten along w
Sophie’s pov ;I was curled up on the sofa, hugging a pillow and half-watching the television. The sounds from the screen painted vague scenes in my head, but my attention was elsewhere until Jenna's voice snapped me back to reality.“Sophie, do you still remember Ronny, the beauty from the department next door?” she called.I turned slightly, still clutching the pillow. “I remember her. What’s wrong?”Jenna’s voice carried a mix of irritation and amusement. “Well, it seems like she’s back with Sam, and now she’s flooding Instagram and forums with sarcastic comments.”“Really?” I asked, half-distracted.“She’s been posting gems like this: ‘People who truly love each other will eventually be together, no matter the meddling of certain people with bad intentions.’* And, oh, this one: ‘Sam and I are doing great. For those trying to poach
—---------sophie’s pov—--------This was the first time in my entire life that I had been spanked.And it wasn’t just anyone—it was *him*, my husband.The deep, sharp sting on my backside didn’t last long, but the shame lingered, swelling like a tidal wave inside me. My face burned hot, and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to cry or scream.Dominic’s voice came from behind me, low and steady, but chilling. “Do you know you’re wrong?”I turned sharply, glaring at him with all the rage I could muster. My cheeks felt as though they were on fire.“Stinky Sir!” I shouted, stamping my foot. “I’m ignoring you!”Without waiting for a response, I fled to my room as fast as I could, slamming the door behind me. My heart pounded, a mix of embarrassment and fury coursing through me. I threw myself onto the bed, burying my face into a pillow.How co
Mrs. Williams (Dominic’s grandma) POV ;The old Williams house was quiet that afternoon, except for the soft rustle of leaves outside the window and the faint clinking of tea cups in my parlor. I sat in my favorite chair, listening to the news that Mrs. Carpenter had been recovering well.At last. I had been waiting for this opportunity for quite some time.“Madam,” our butler informed me, “shall we invite Madam over for a visit?”I nodded with a smile. “Yes, send the invitation.” My thoughts churned as I sipped my tea. Her health improving meant I could finally confirm the suspicion that had lingered in my mind ever since Dominic brought Sophie home.---The next day, she arrived. When I saw her, I was startled anew by her resemblance to Sophie. It was uncanny. The same delicate features, the same soft gaze, though her face was lined with years of sorrow.“You’re looking much bett
Sophie’s pov ;Sitting in front of the mirror, I watched as the makeup artist dabbed layer after layer onto my face. I should’ve just said no. Ava, in her usual playful way, had insisted, and I hadn’t wanted to dampen her excitement. Now, as I looked at myself, I barely recognized the reflection staring back at me.The dark, cakey base makeup didn’t suit my skin tone at all, and the heavy purple eyeshadow made my almond-shaped eyes look smaller rather than enhancing them. The lipstick, poorly applied, extended slightly beyond the edges of my lips. The image was borderline ridiculous.Ava, who’d been getting her hair styled next to me, noticed the result and exploded. “What the hell is this? Do you call this makeup?” She threw her comb on the table with a loud clatter, standing to confront the makeup artist.The artist stammered, “Ms., I thought—”“You thought what? That I’d be
Sophie’s pov ;The moment I stepped into Rey's room, I was hit by a powerful floral scent. It was cloying, the kind of heavy perfume that clung to your throat and refused to let go. The air felt thick, almost suffocating, and I wondered how anyone could find this pleasant."My room smells good, doesn't it?" Rey said, her voice light and teasing. "This is a high-end French brand, and the spices are flown in from abroad. Oh, I forgot—I shouldn’t have told you this. Since someone like you wouldn't understand all this.”She covered her lips with a laugh, but there was nothing friendly about her expression. Her gaze was sharp, calculating, as if she were measuring me against some invisible standard and finding me lacking.I glanced at the faint glow of colors and light in the room. Almost everything was pink—the walls, the furniture, the decor. It was overwhelming, a bubblegum world that felt strangely familiar. Does she like pink
Sophie’s pov ;I didn’t expect my day to turn out like this—confusing, embarrassing, but somehow...heartwarming.When Sir found the bruise on my arm, I panicked. I wasn’t ready for him to ask questions about how it happened. After all, how could I tell him that Rey, the supposedly gentle and refined woman from the Carpenter family, had pinched me hard enough to leave a purple mark?So I lied. “I knocked it accidentally,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t press the matter further.But Sir isn’t someone easily convinced. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, scanning my face like he could read the truth in my expression. Before I knew it, we were walking toward a nearby pharmacy.“Sir, are you hurt?” I asked nervously, clutching his sleeve. The thought of him being in pain made my chest tighten. He didn’t answer right away, instead buying a bottle of medicated oil. Only when we sat down on a bench
Sophie’s pov ;Dominic kept his word and took me to one of the most professional recording studios in London the next day.I didn’t know much about recording studios, but even I could tell this one was extraordinary. It had a sleek and modern design, and I could feel the weight of history here. Dominic had mentioned that many famous singers had recorded their songs here.As we stepped inside, the air was crisp and filled with the faint smell of coffee and polished wood.“I’ve hired a teacher for you,” Dominic said in his usual calm, authoritative tone. “You can practice singing in peace.”“Yes, Sir,” I replied, nodding obediently.Just as I was about to head into the recording room, Dominic’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned slightly.“I need to take this call,” he said, his voice softer now. “Stay here and focus. I’ll be back soon.”“Goodbye, Sir,” I murmured as he walked away, his long strides exuding confidence.I stepped into the studio and closed the glass door
Elowen’s pov ;I followed him outside of the studio.Dominic frowned, his chiseled features hardening even further. His expression was so cold and distant, it made the air between us feel heavy. When he finally spoke, his voice was deep and clipped, utterly unattainable.“What’s the matter?”I couldn’t help but stare.The photos I’d seen of him before didn’t even come close to doing him justice. Mr. Dominic wasn’t one of those delicate, pretty boys who relied on soft features to win attention. No, his looks were sharp and commanding, as if his face had been sculpted by a master. His jawline could probably cut glass.And those eyes.Dark, cold, and utterly ruthless—they sent a shiver down my spine. He didn’t just look like a man; he looked like the kind of man who ruled everyone and everything around him. The sheer masculinity radiating off him was overwhelming. I felt my heart race, and my palms grew clammy.This wasn’t just any man.This was a king.I forced myself to smile, soft and
Sophie’s pov :ONE YEAR LATER ;The air was filled with laughter, music, and the sweet scent of flowers as Brandon and Ava’s wedding reception unfolded in full swing.The grand ballroom was beautifully decorated with cascading floral arrangements, twinkling lights, and elegant table settings. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and the atmosphere was nothing short of magical. I stood near the edge of the room, holding a glass of sparkling water, my heart swelling with happiness for my brother and his new bride.Dominic stood beside me, his hand resting gently on the small of my back. He looked as handsome as ever in his tailored black tuxedo, his presence commanding yet comforting. I couldn’t help but steal glances at him, still in awe of how lucky I was to have him by my side.As the evening progressed, Brandon and Ava took to the stage to thank everyone for coming. Brandon’s voice was warm and filled with gratitude, while Ava’s eyes sparkled with joy. They were the picture of happine
Brandon’s pov :As we stepped outside the hospital, my eyes immediately caught sight of an expensive car parked nearby. It was sleek, modern, and screamed luxury. Sophie’s face lit up the moment she saw it.“That’s my husband’s car!” she said, her voice filled with excitement.I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Won’t you introduce me to him?” I asked, trying to sound casual.Sophie blushed but nodded, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. Before I could say anything else, the car door opened, and a man stepped out.Sophie didn’t hesitate. She ran to him, her steps light and joyful, and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. “Sir!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.I froze. Sir? My eyes widened as I took in the man standing before me. Tall, impeccably dressed, with an aura of power and authority that was impossible to ignore. And then it hit me—this wasn’t just any man. This was Dominic Williams.My throat tightened, and I choked on my own breath. This was the
Brandon's pov :I stood in the study, my arms crossed, as Rey walked in nervously. She looked around, her eyes darting between me and my father, Jason. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could tell she knew something was wrong."Brother, what do you want from me?" Rey asked, her voice trembling slightly.I didn’t waste any time. "Rey, why is there an error in Bella’s DNA test result?"Her eyes widened, and she stammered, "This... I don’t know either. Maybe the organization made a mistake."I couldn’t help but sneer. "Mistaken? Do you know that if such an institution makes a mistake in the appraisal results, it will face a claim of millions?"In other words, these strictly regulated institutions never make mistakes. Rey’s excuse was flimsy at best."I asked John to do this. Could it be that she..." Rey tried to shift the blame to the servant, but I wasn’t having it."I just asked John and she said that when she went to the café to get a cup, there were two cups on the table,"
Ava’s povI watched as Rey tried to play her little games, but she seemed to have forgotten one crucial detail—Christopher is my biological brother. How could an outsider like her possibly sow discord between siblings who share the same blood? It was almost laughable.Christopher glanced at her indifferently, his expression cold and unreadable. "Oh," he said simply, dismissing her attempt to gain his sympathy.Rey was left speechless, her carefully prepared words stuck in her throat. I hid my smile behind my teacup, taking a sip to conceal my amusement. My brother’s ability to see through people’s intentions was sharper than mine. Even he could see through Rey’s White Lotus act."Mr. Carpenter, I have something to tell you. Can we go out and talk?" I asked, turning to Brandon."Sure," he replied, standing up and following me out to the courtyard.As we walked, I noticed Rey’s anxious expression. She clearly wanted to follow us, but she couldn’t just leave Christopher alone in the room
Sophie’s pov :I was sitting on the lawn, still feeling a bit sore from last night’s… activities with the Sir, when I heard a familiar voice call out to me."Bella, I didn’t expect you to be so good at fighting green tea."I turned around, surprised and delighted to see Ava walking toward me. "Ava! Why are you here?"She grinned and sat down next to me. "Luckily, I came, otherwise I would have missed your green tea show."I blushed, realizing she must have seen me earlier, wearing all that jewelry to make a point. Embarrassed, I started taking off the necklaces and rings, putting them back into my bag.Ava raised an eyebrow. "Bella, you look so good wearing it. Why are you taking it off?"I groaned, feeling my cheeks heat up even more. "Don’t make fun of me. I was just trying to piss them off."Who would wear so many jewels out of nowhere? It was way too heavy, and my neck and fingers were already tired. I couldn’t wait to take it all off.Ava chuckled, clearly understanding my person
Sophie’s pov :The next day, I walked into school with an awkward posture, my legs feeling sore and unsteady. I was terrified that someone would notice, but of course, my friends did."Bella, what's wrong with you?" Carolyn asked, her voice filled with concern as she eyed me carefully.My face flushed red, and I quickly came up with an excuse. "It's nothing. I had a leg cramp when I slept yesterday. It hurts a little."Carolyn frowned, still looking worried. "Please sit down and have a rest. You have physical education class later. What are you going to do?"I sighed, already dreading the thought of running or doing any kind of physical activity. "Let me talk to the teacher and see if I can ask for leave."When the teacher arrived, I used my menstruation as an excuse, and to my surprise, she granted me leave. Normally, this teacher is very strict and rarely allows students to skip PE, no matter how unwell they claim to be. But for some reason, she was particularly lenient with me. May
Dominic’s pov :After coming out to pour a glass of water, I couldn’t shake the growing discomfort in my chest. The house felt too quiet, too empty, even though Sophie was just in the other room.I glanced at the clock—it was just past ten. In the past, the little girl would sit on the sofa and wait for me to get off work, no matter how late it was.Even if I told her countless times not to wait, she’d stubbornly stay up, her eyes drooping with sleep but her determination unwavering. She’d always greet me with that soft, sleepy smile, and it made coming home worth every second.But now? She was already asleep.I frowned, the wrinkles between my brows deep enough to pinch a fly to death. Was this what they meant when they said couples eventually lose their passion and become more like family? We’ve only been married for less than a year, and already she’s so… perfunctory with me. What would happen in the future? The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably. I didn’t like it. Not one
Sophie’s pov :It all started with the rumors on the forum. Someone had posted that I, Sophie, had married a poor and ugly man. Honestly, I wasn’t angry. People say all sorts of things, and I’ve learned to brush them off.But Edwin, my cousin, couldn’t stand it. He was furious. How could anyone call Sir—Mr. Williams—poor and ugly? Edwin thought the people spreading these rumors were blind and stupid. He decided to take matters into his own hands.One day after school, Edwin secretly followed me. When I ran toward the Sir like a butterfly, Edwin snapped a few photos. He posted them on the forum, but to protect Sir’s identity, he only released blurry side profile photos. Still, the Sir’s tall, straight figure and his aloof aura were enough to win over a lot of female fans.The post was titled: Rumors Debunked: Sophie’s Boyfriend is a Handsome Guy! His Net Worth is a Mystery, He is Definitely Not a Poor and Incompetent Man!As soon as the photos were released, the forum exploded. Comment
Rey’s pov :I walked into Amanda’s room, my expression carefully arranged into one of concern. She was sitting by the window, her face pale and her eyes red-rimmed. It was clear she’d been crying. Good. The more upset she was, the easier it would be to manipulate her. I needed her to deal with Sophie for me, and for that, she had to be motivated.“Amanda, what’s wrong with you?” I asked, my voice soft and sympathetic. I sat down beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She turned to me, tears silently streaming down her face. My mind raced. What had happened?“Why are you crying?” I pressed, my tone gentle but probing. “Who bullied you? Was it Sophie?”Amanda closed her eyes, as if the mere mention of Sophie’s name pained her. She didn’t answer immediately, and I felt a flicker of impatience. I needed her to talk, to give me something to work with.Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. “Rey, tell me, should I not like Dominic? I saw the pictures… he brought that neckl