CHAPTER2
1162 Words
Sophia stood in the middle of Carter’s Corner, her mind still reeling from Damien’s proposal. The bookstore felt emptier than usual, the shelves looming like silent witnesses to her turmoil. She glanced at her phone, the text from the unknown number still burning in her mind: “You have no idea what you’re getting into.”
“Mommy?”
Sophia turned to see Emma standing in the doorway of the children’s section, clutching her favorite stuffed dragon. Her auburn curls were tangled, and her bright eyes were filled with worry.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Sophia asked, forcing a smile.
“Are we going to lose the bookstore?” Emma’s voice trembled.
Sophia’s heart ached. She knelt down and pulled Emma into a hug. “No, baby. We’re not going to lose it. I promise.”
“But that man said—”
“He doesn’t understand how special this place is,” Sophia interrupted, her voice firm. “We’re going to fight for it, okay?”
Emma nodded, but her eyes were still uncertain. Sophia kissed her forehead and stood, her resolve hardening. She couldn’t let Emma down. She wouldn’t.
---
The bell above the door jingled, and Sophia turned, expecting to see Damien again. Instead, a woman in a sleek black dress walked in, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. She had sharp features and a cold smile that sent a shiver down Sophia’s spine.
“Can I help you?” Sophia asked, her tone cautious.
The woman’s smile widened. “I’m Rebecca Kane. Victor’s wife.”
Sophia’s stomach dropped. “What do you want?”
Rebecca’s gaze swept the room, her expression unreadable. “I just wanted to see the place my husband is so interested in. It’s… quaint.”
Sophia crossed her arms. “If you’re here to intimidate me, it’s not going to work.”
Rebecca laughed, a sound that was more chilling than amused. “Oh, I’m not here to intimidate you, dear. I’m here to warn you.”
“Warn me about what?”
Rebecca stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Damien Blackwood is not who you think he is. If you’re smart, you’ll stay far away from him.”
Sophia’s heart raced, but she held her ground. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rebecca’s smile turned icy. “You will.”
She turned and walked out, leaving Sophia standing in the middle of the bookstore, her mind spinning.
---
That evening, Sophia sat at the kitchen table, staring at her laptop. She’d spent hours researching Damien Blackwood, but the information was sparse. He was a self-made billionaire with a reputation for being ruthless in business, but there were no details about his personal life.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was a text from Damien: “Be ready tomorrow. We’re announcing the engagement.”
Sophia’s stomach churned. She typed back: “What does that even mean?”
The response came almost immediately: “Wear something nice. I’ll pick you up at noon.”
Sophia sighed and set her phone down. She felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff, about to jump into the unknown.
---
The next morning, Sophia stood in front of her closet, staring at the few dresses she owned. None of them felt right for whatever Damien had planned. Finally, she settled on a simple black dress and a pair of heels she hadn’t worn in years.
Emma watched her from the doorway, her eyes wide. “Where are you going, Mommy?”
Sophia forced a smile. “I have a meeting, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon, okay?”
Emma nodded, but her expression was uncertain. Sophia knelt down and hugged her tightly. “I love you, Emma. No matter what happens, I’ll always fight for us.”
Emma hugged her back, her small arms tight around Sophia’s neck. “I love you too, Mommy.”
---
At noon, a sleek black car pulled up in front of the bookstore. Damien stepped out, his tailored suit and polished shoes making him look like he’d stepped out of a magazine.
“Ready?” he asked, his tone cool.
Sophia nodded, her stomach in knots. She climbed into the car, and Damien slid in beside her.
“Where are we going?” she asked as the car pulled away from the curb.
“To a press conference,” Damien replied, his gaze fixed on the window.
Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. “A press conference? What for?”
Damien turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. “To announce our engagement.”
Sophia’s stomach churned. “You didn’t say anything about a press conference.”
“You didn’t ask,” Damien said, his tone flat.
Sophia clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. “This isn’t what I signed up for.”
Damien’s gaze hardened. “You signed up to save your bookstore. This is part of the deal.”
Sophia looked away, her mind racing. She felt like she was losing control, and she hated it.
---
The press conference was held in a grand ballroom, filled with reporters and flashing cameras. Sophia stood beside Damien, her smile forced as he announced their engagement to the world.
“Ms. Carter and I are thrilled to begin this new chapter together,” Damien said, his voice smooth and confident.
Sophia’s heart pounded as the reporters shouted questions.
“How did you two meet?”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Is this a business arrangement or a love match?”
Sophia’s stomach churned, but Damien’s hand on her back kept her grounded.
“We’re keeping the details private for now,” Damien said, his tone firm. “But we’re excited for the future.”
The reporters continued to shout questions, but Damien guided Sophia off the stage and into a private room.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked, his tone casual.
Sophia glared at him. “You didn’t tell me there’d be reporters.”
Damien shrugged. “I didn’t think it was necessary.”
Sophia’s hands trembled with anger. “You can’t just make decisions without telling me. This is my life too.”
Damien’s gaze softened, just for a moment. “I know. But this is how it has to be.”
Sophia opened her mouth to argue, but her phone buzzed, cutting her off. She glanced at the screen—a text from an unknown number: “You’re playing with fire, Sophia. And you’re going to get burned.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She looked up at Damien, her voice trembling. “What have I gotten myself into?”
As Sophia stared at the text, Damien’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expr
ession darkening. “We need to go. Now.”
Sophia’s stomach dropped. “What’s wrong?”
Damien’s jaw tightened. “Victor knows.”
- Writer
