YOU ARE MINE

Chapter three: A Chance For Us

ophie’s POV

That night, I got home before Nathan.

I walked into our big, quiet house, and my chest felt tight.

Everything was happening so fast.

One minute I was fighting him in court, and the next, I was married to him.

And today… Today he kissed me.

The worst part?

I didn’t hate it.

I went upstairs to the bedroom and locked the door.

I changed into a soft nightdress and sat on the edge of the bed.

I tried to clear my mind.

He’s the enemy, I told myself.

This is just a deal.

Nothing more.

A little while later, I heard his car pull up.

Then I heard his footsteps coming up the stairs.

Slow and steady, like he knew I was waiting.

He tried the door, but it was locked.

Then he knocked softly.

“Sophie. Open the door.

”

I didn’t move.

“Go away. Sleep in another room.

”

“I’m not going anywhere. This is my room, and you’re my wife.

”

His voice was calm but firm.

“Please open the door. I just want to talk. I won’t touch you unless you want me to. I promise.

”

I hesitated.

Then I stood up and unlocked the door.

Just a little.

When he walked in, I suddenly felt nervous.

He closed the door behind him, but he didn’t lock it.

It was almost like he wanted me to know that I could leave if I wanted to.

He stood a few steps away from me.

He was still wearing his work shirt, with the sleeves rolled up.

His black hair was a little messy.

He looked tired.

And in that moment, he didn’t look like the ruthless billionaire everyone feared.

He just looked like a man.

“I know you hate this,

” he said softly.

“I know you think I forced you into this.

But Sophie… I never wanted to hurt you.

I just wanted you.

For a long time.

”

My heart skipped.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw you before the court case.

I watched you fight for your family and stand up for what you believed in.

I admired you.

More than I should have.

”

He paused.

“When your company started falling apart, I saw my chance.

I know it was wrong to use your family’s problems to get closer to you.

But I couldn’t just let you walk away.

”

I stared at him, trying to understand everything.

All this time, he wasn’t only after the company.

He was after me too.

“So you used my family’s pain to get what you wanted,

” I said.

My voice wasn’t angry anymore.

I was just confused.

“I did,

” he admitted.

“And I’m sorry.

But I don’t regret being here with you.

”

He took one slow step toward me.

“Tell me to leave, and I will.

But if you want me to stay, if you feel even a little of what I feel, then give me a chance.

Not as your enemy.

Not because of the deal.

Just like me.

”

I looked at him carefully.

I looked into his sea blue eyes and noticed how tense he seemed.

Then I remembered the kiss earlier.

I remembered how confused it had made me feel.

My voice was quiet.

“If I say yes, it doesn’t mean I love you.

And it doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you.

”

“I know,

” he whispered.

“It just means you’re giving us a chance.

That’s all I’m asking for.

”

I nodded slowly.

I was scared, but I knew what I wanted.

“Okay.

”

He didn’t rush toward me.

He came closer slowly, giving me time to change my mind.

For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was fighting him.

I just stood there, trying to understand what was happening between us.

“This is real, Sophie,

” he said quietly.

“From now on, I want this to be real.

”

He kissed me gently.

This time, it felt different.

There was no anger or challenge behind it.

It was soft and careful.

I kissed him back, and for a moment, I forgot about the company, the court case, and the deal.

I only thought about what was happening between us.

He stayed close to me, but he was careful not to push me.

For once, I felt like I had a choice.

It wasn’t just about the kiss.

It felt like something more.

All the anger and fighting between us seemed to disappear for a moment.

For the first time, there was just us.

Later, we lay quietly under the covers.

Nathan stayed close beside me, and I listened to his heartbeat.

Then I realized something that surprised me.

I didn’t feel trapped anymore.

I felt safe.

“I’ve got you,

” he whispered.

“I’m not going anywhere.

No matter what happens,

I’ve got you.

”

I wanted to answer him.

I wanted to tell him I was scared.

I wanted to tell him that I was starting to feel things I didn’t understand.

But instead, I closed my eyes and rested quietly.

For tonight, that was enough.

When I woke up the next morning, sunlight filled the room.

Nathan was already awake.

He was lying beside me, watching me with a small smile.

“Morning,

” he said softly.

I smiled shyly.

“Morning.

”

He moved a strand of hair away from my face.

“You look beautiful when you sleep.

Even more when you’re awake.

”

“Stop it,

” I said, but I was smiling.

I couldn’t help it.

“I mean it.

”

He gave me a gentle kiss.

“Last night wasn’t just about me.

I wanted you to know that whatever happens between us, you’re not alone anymore.

I’m on your side.

”

Before I could answer, his phone rang.

He frowned when he looked at the screen.

His expression changed immediately.

He stood up quickly.

“I have to take this.

Stay here.

I’ll be back.

”

He walked out,

and the door closed behind him.

I sat there for a moment,

wondering what had just happened.

That warm feeling I had felt earlier slowly disappeared.

Who was calling him?

And why did he suddenly look so worried?

I got up and started getting dressed.

Last night had changed something between us.

But it hadn’t fixed everything.

There were still secrets.

There were still things Nathan wasn’t telling me.

And until he was completely honest with me,

I couldn’t fully let my guard down.

When I walked downstairs about an hour later, Nathan was standing by the window.

He was staring out at the garden.

He looked tense.

Like something was wrong.

“Who was on the phone?” I asked.

He turned around.

For a second,

it looked like he was about to tell me the truth.

Then he shook his head.

“Nothing important.

Just business.

”

“Nathan…

”

“Sophie, please.

Not now.

”

He walked over and gently held my shoulders.

“We have a meeting today.

With your parents and Luke.

Things are moving faster than I expected.

We need to be ready.

”

I pulled back slightly.

“Ready for what?

What aren’t you telling me?”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“I’ll tell you everything.

I promise.

But not today.

Not yet.

Just trust me a little longer.

Please.

”

I looked at him carefully.

There was something in his eyes.

Something he was hiding.

Something big.

And whatever it was,

I knew it was going to change everything.