Owned by Her Silence

Chapter 1

Elias didn’t open the folder until he was back in his apartment.

He had spent the entire drive home telling himself he wasn’t interested.

It was just another business opportunity.

Another contract.

Another project.

So why had he been thinking about Sophia Voss for the last forty minutes?

He dropped his keys on the table and loosened his tie.

The folder was still sitting where he’d left it.

Waiting.

“Ridiculous,” he muttered.

He opened it.

The first few pages were exactly what he expected. Financial projections. Company details. Project timelines.

Then he reached the final page.

His eyes stopped.

There was a handwritten note at the bottom.

Don’t make a decision because you’re afraid of me.

Elias stared at it.

Then he laughed quietly.

“Who does she think she is?”

His phone rang.

Unknown number.

He almost ignored it.

Almost.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Then her voice.

“You opened it.”

Elias leaned against the kitchen counter.

“You put a note in there just to see if I’d read it?”

“Yes.”

“You really enjoy controlling everything, don’t you?”

“I enjoy knowing what I’m dealing with.”

“And what exactly am I?”

Another pause.

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.”

He didn’t know what to say to that.

Sophia continued.

“There’s one thing you should understand before you accept the contract.”

“I’m listening.”

“I don’t tolerate dishonesty.”

“Neither do I.”

“I doubt that.”

Elias frowned.

“Why?”

“Because people usually lie when the truth makes them uncomfortable.”

“And you think you know me?”

“No.”

Her voice softened.

“Not yet.”

The call ended.

Elias looked at his phone.

For several seconds, he simply stood there.

Then he looked back at the contract.

He should have walked away.

Instead, he picked up a pen.

And signed.

He didn’t know it yet, but that signature was going to cost him far more than money