Chapter 10: The Rules Are Changing
1157 Words
Sophia stared at Alexander across the dining table.
For the first time since signing the contract, she couldn't read him.
His expression was calm, almost frighteningly calm, but his eyes held something different.
Something she couldn't name.
“You said the contract was simple,” Sophia finally said.
Alexander leaned back in his chair. “It was.”
“Then why does it suddenly feel like everything is becoming complicated?”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“Because you're no longer treating this like a business arrangement.”
Sophia's heart skipped.
“That isn't true.”
“Isn't it?”
“Yes.”
Alexander stood and walked toward her.
Sophia instinctively stepped backward until her back touched the edge of the table.
He stopped a few inches away.
“You're jealous when another woman speaks to me.”
“I am not.”
“You get angry when I disappear.”
“I don't care where you go.”
“And yesterday, when you thought something had happened to me, you were terrified.”
Sophia's lips parted.
“That was different.”
“How?”
She couldn't answer.
Alexander's gaze softened.
“That is what I thought.”
Before Sophia could respond, the sound of footsteps came from the hallway.
His secretary appeared at the doorway.
“Mr. Kane, I'm sorry to interrupt.”
Alexander turned.
“What is it?”
“There is someone here to see Mrs. Kane.”
Sophia frowned.
“Me?”
The secretary nodded.
“He says it's urgent.”
“Who?”
The secretary hesitated.
“Daniel Carter.”
Sophia froze.
Alexander's expression changed instantly.
“Tell him to leave.”
“He refused.”
Alexander's jaw tightened.
“Then I'll deal with him myself.”
But Sophia grabbed his arm.
“Wait.”
Alexander looked down at her hand.
“Who is Daniel Carter?”
Sophia swallowed.
“Someone from my past.”
Alexander's eyes darkened.
“An ex?”
She slowly nodded.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Alexander gently removed her hand from his arm.
“Fine.”
His voice was dangerously quiet.
“Let's see what he wants.”
Daniel was waiting in the living room.
The moment Sophia walked in, his eyes went straight to her.
“You look different.”
Sophia crossed her arms.
“What do you want?”
Daniel smiled bitterly.
“So it's true.”
“What?”
“You really married him.”
Sophia said nothing.
Daniel glanced toward Alexander.
“And I suppose you're happy?”
Alexander stepped forward.
“Choose your next words carefully.”
Daniel laughed.
“I've heard plenty about you, Alexander Kane. The billionaire who thinks he can buy anything.”
Alexander's expression remained unreadable.
“I don't need to buy what already belongs to me.”
Sophia's eyes widened.
“Alexander.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Belongs to you?”
Alexander turned toward Sophia.
“My wife.”
The words sent an unexpected warmth through her chest.
Daniel noticed.
His smile disappeared.
“I came because I found something.”
He pulled a small envelope from his jacket and handed it to Sophia.
She hesitated before taking it.
“What is this?”
“Something you need to see before you trust your husband completely.”
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
“Daniel.”
But Sophia had already opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
Her breath caught.
It showed Alexander standing beside a woman she had never seen before.
And on the back of the photograph was a handwritten date.
Three weeks before Sophia had signed the marriage contract.
Sophia looked at Alexander.
“Who is she?”
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
That silence was enough.
Sophia's stomach dropped.
“Alexander?”
He finally spoke.
“Her name is Victoria.”
“Who is Victoria?”
“A woman who should have nothing to do with you.”
Sophia stared at him.
“That's not an answer.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“She was supposed to marry him.”
Sophia's eyes widened.
Alexander's voice turned cold.
“Daniel, leave.”
But Daniel continued.
“The contract you signed wasn't his first marriage arrangement.”
Sophia looked at Alexander in disbelief.
“You were engaged?”
“No.”
Daniel scoffed.
“He was.”
Alexander's expression hardened.
“That arrangement ended.”
“Why?”
Sophia's voice was barely a whisper.
Alexander looked directly into her eyes.
“Because she betrayed me.”
Sophia looked down at the photograph again.
“And you never told me.”
“I didn't think it mattered.”
“I'm your wife.”
“You're my contracted wife.”
The words hit harder than he intended.
Sophia slowly lowered the photograph.
“Right.”
Her voice trembled.
“I forgot.”
She turned and walked away.
“Sophia.”
She didn't stop.
Alexander followed her upstairs.
“Sophia, wait.”
She entered their bedroom and turned around.
“You lied to me.”
“I didn't lie.”
“You deliberately kept something from me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
Alexander fell silent.
Sophia stared at him.
“Exactly.”
He stepped closer.
“You don't understand what Victoria is capable of.”
“Then explain it to me!”
Alexander's jaw tightened.
“She wasn't just my fiancée.”
Sophia waited.
“She was my father's partner.”
Sophia's eyes widened.
“She helped him steal from the company.”
Silence filled the room.
“And now?” Sophia asked.
Alexander looked toward the window.
“Now she's back.”
Sophia's heart sank.
“Why?”
Alexander looked at her.
“Because she wants revenge.”
A knock suddenly sounded at the door.
Neither of them moved.
Then Alexander's phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed immediately.
“What?”
Sophia watched him carefully.
“What happened?”
Alexander's voice was cold.
“Send security to the parking garage.”
He ended the call.
Sophia stepped toward him.
“What is it?”
Alexander looked at her.
“Your car is gone.”
Sophia's blood ran cold.
“What?”
“The security cameras show someone driving it away.”
“But I have the keys.”
“I know.”
He grabbed his jacket.
“Sophia, stay here.”
She caught his wrist.
“No.”
His eyes met hers.
“This is dangerous.”
“I don't care.”
For the first time, fear flashed across Alexander's face.
Not fear for himself.
Fear for her.
He pulled her close.
“Then stay beside me.”
Sophia's heart pounded against her chest.
And as Alexander held her, neither of them noticed the small black envelope that had been slipped beneath their bedroom door.
Inside was a single photograph.
A photograph of Sophia.
Taken that morning.
On the back, four words were written:
THE BRIDE IS NEXT.
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