Married By Contract, Bounded By Love.

CHAPTER 5

Sophia’s suspicions were made clear by morning. And she was right, Nicolas fully hated her now.

After their night’s escapade, she couldn't sleep, and when morning came, she finally decided to quit rolling on her bed and get herself iced coffee to cool her temperature. It was 11 a.m. on Saturday, and their cleaning service had rounded up their work for the day.

Nicolas usually stayed at home on some weekends. On other weekends, he visited the people he needed on his side for the governorship election.

On the weekends he stayed home. He spent more than half of the day in his study. Sophia always felt that he stayed home because he probably cared about her. At least, that kept her hoping he might like her. But after his statement before, they got intimate last night. She knew she was wrong, and she was just a contract partner to him.

A new wave of headache and heartache hit her. How could she have allowed her stupid self to fall for him when he clearly wouldn’t appreciate it?

Sophia dragged herself to the kitchen counter to make her coffee.

She was still adding ice when she heard Nicolas's footsteps heading for the kitchen. Her heart began to beat fast, and she almost spilled her coffee as she headed to a seat.

Nicolas took one long look at her before opening the fridge to get himself some fruit. Sophia averted her gaze to her coffee, feeling the embarrassment color her cheeks.

He took purposeful strides towards her and only paused a few inches away. Sophia shut her eyes tight, she knew he wouldn’t hit her, but the poisonous glare in his eyes sent her heart to her mouth.

“Open your eyes” he growled. “We need to talk about last night”. Sophia gently opened her eyes to see he was already seated before her. He smelt so clean that memories of the night found their way to her brain again.

“Nothing happened last night Nicolas, you didn’t touch me…” She started. Nicolas took another long look at her, the glare softening but nothing short of “dangerous”.

He heaved a big sigh, “Good. Listen to what I have to say. You and I can never be a thing, Sophia. Never.” He began.

“Do not be fooled by whatever I said last night, I do not want you in any way or form. I’d say I have superior taste, and you don’t fall in that category.” For a second, his jaw tightened, and his eyes darted away as if searching for the right words. But when he looked back at her, his expression was like stone.

“You are only here as my partner till my election, and you’ve been playing your role. But don’t let that fool you into thinking there’ll be more. I can’t love you, Sophia!” He paused, waiting to see if she had anything to say.

The words felt like visible stones were hitting her. Sophia felt her world crash and her heart shatter as each word rolled out of his mouth. Sophia began to sweat, and her body responded more with trembling. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from breaking down. Her fingers tightened around the coffee cup, but her mind spiraled as she replayed every moment of last night like a cruel reminder of her foolishness. How could she have let herself believe, even for a second, that he cared?

Sophia felt the tears coming, and she knew she would be done for, if she let herself cry. She shook her head and took a very deep breath. That steadied her enough to talk.

“You’ve made yourself more than clear. I’ll be careful not to let my actions give you the wrong idea”. Sophia kept shut up as she felt a new wave of tears stinging her eyes. She quickly took her cup to the sink and headed straight for her room. She didn’t even know if what she said made any sense.

“Good, get ready for this evening, we’re going to my parents' for dinner”. Nicolas said after her.

Sophia didn’t look back. She covered the remaining steps to her room quickly, locked the door from behind, and burst into fresh tears.

Leaning against the door, she slid to the floor, her body trembling as sobs racked through her. Nicolas’s words echoed in her mind, sharp and unrelenting: “I can’t love you, Sophia.”

How had she let herself get here? She knew from the start this was a contract, but somewhere along the way, she’d let hope creep in, let herself believe there could be something real beneath the surface.

Her tears slowed as anger began to bubble up, anger at herself, not him. She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms as she whispered, “I can’t do this anymore. I won’t.”

But even as she said the words, a bitter truth settled in her chest. It wasn’t that simple. Feelings won’t just vanish because you decided they should.

She swiped at her cheeks and stood, her legs shaky beneath her. She would try, though. She had to. Nicolas had made it clear she was nothing more than a tool in his carefully constructed life. If she wanted to survive this, she couldn’t let her heart ruin her.

Sophia inhaled deeply, steeling herself. She would focus on her father, her own future, anything but him. But the ache in her chest reminded her it would be easier said than done.

She didn’t want to think again, she went back to her bed and soon slept off.

…

Sophia woke at 5 p.m, the reminder of dinner with Nicolas’s parents hitting her like a splash of cold water. One hour to get ready. She stretched, then sat still for a moment, her mind clear. If he thought she was just a tool for his campaign, fine. She would play the role but on her terms.

She chose a sleek black dress that was elegant. She felt in control, just what she wanted. Her reflection stared back at her as she fixed her hair and makeup. The woman in the mirror looked composed, untouchable. That’s what Nicolas will see tonight. Not the foolish girl who once hoped for more.

She was slipping into her heels when she heard Nicolas’s footsteps in the hallway. He didn’t knock; he rarely did. The door creaked open, and he stood there, dressed in a navy suit that made him look every inch the governor he aspired to be. His gaze swept over her, lingering for a moment longer than necessary, but his face betrayed nothing.

“You’re ready,” he said, his voice neutral but his eyes searching for something.

“Yes,” she replied, meeting his gaze with detachment. She picked up her clutch and walked past him without waiting for his lead.

The drive was quiet, the silence charged. Nicolas glanced at her more than once, as though trying to decipher what had shifted. But Sophia kept her eyes on the road ahead.

When they arrived at his parents’ grand estate, Nicolas moved to open her door. Sophia took his hand briefly as she stepped out, then let go the moment her feet touched the ground.

For a brief second, Nicolas looked almost unsettled. But Sophia didn’t care. Nicolas opened his mouth as if he was about to say something but kept quiet again and began walking beside her.

Helen was already waiting at the entrance. Sophia knew Nicolas’s family was only being courteous and didn’t think of her as anything important.

The mansion was every bit as lavish as Sophia had imagined inside. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and the rooms were adorned with expensive art and luxurious furniture. Augustus Knight soon joined them, his presence commanding and intimidating, just like Nicolas’s.

"Sophia, it's a pleasure to have you here," Augustus said, shaking her hand firmly. "I trust you're doing okay?"

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Knight," Sophia replied, maintaining her composure despite his piercing gaze.

Sophia focused on her food throughout dinner, a million thoughts running through her mind every minute. The conversation revolved around Nicolas’s campaign and the importance of maintaining the family's image. She stayed silent, letting Nicolas handle most of the conversation while she observed them.

After dinner, while Nicolas and his father were discussing campaign strategy in Augustus's private study, Helen suggested a tour of the mansion to Sophia. This was not her first time at the mansion, but Helen had never offered to show her the place, so Sophia never asked.

"This house has been in our family for generations," Helen explained as they walked through the elegant rooms. "There's so much history here."

As they entered the grand library, Sophia's eyes widened at the sight of the extensive collection of books. "This is incredible," she murmured, genuinely impressed.

"Yes, it is," Helen said with a smile. Helen’s phone began to ring, and she excused herself. "Feel free to explore while I take this call. It’s important.”

Sophia nodded and watched as the older woman stepped out. She let out a big sigh as she wandered the length of the library. She almost missed a slightly opened door at the far end of the library. She knew whoever came in last must have been in a hurry and forgot to close it. Its paint blends seamlessly with the wall. Her heart quickened. The door’s location suggested it wasn’t meant to be discovered. Sophia's curiosity got the better of her, and she soon succumbed to the little voice that told her to go in.

The room was a small office with files neatly arranged in a cabinet on the wall. There was a table and a chair close to the cabinet, and it looked more like an impromptu workspace than a real office.

"It's just an office,” Sophia thought to herself, but just as she was about to turn and head outside, her eyes caught the heading of a file on the table: KNIGHT FINANCIALS.

Sophia couldn’t explain why, but her heart began to pound in her chest as she moved to open the file. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the label:

Loan Records.

Her father’s name, Antonio Lombardi, jumped out at her. Her hands trembled as she flipped through the pages. His name was on a list of debtors, crossed out in bold red ink under a column labeled Settled Accounts.

Settled? How? Sophia’s pulse quickened. She heard footsteps and quickly jumped out of the room, slamming the door behind her and pretending to read a book.

“You’re still reading?” Helen asked as soon as she went inside. Sophia whipped around, her heart lurching in her chest.

“Yes, I find this one quite fascinating,” Sophia lied, her voice firm.

Helen glanced at the door not far from where Sophia stood, and when she noticed it was closed, she sighed a somewhat relieved sigh and her lips curved into a faint smile. “Let’s go.”

Sophia nodded, hastily closing the book and returning it to the shelf. The car ride home was tense. Nicolas noticed her silence but didn’t comment. The moment they walked through the door, Sophia excused herself and rushed to her room. But the unease bit her tummy. She couldn’t let this go.

When the house fell silent, she crept out of her room and made her way to Nicolas’ study. Her palms were sweaty, and her heart pounded in her chest. She turned on the desk lamp and began to search, hoping to find something. Her breath soon hitched. There it was. The same file, but with a different title:

KNIGHT FINANCIALS – Midnight Ridge Finance.

Her father’s name stared back at her, blotted out with red ink under the Settled Debtors label. Sophia felt her pores open as she began to sweat profusely. Her stomach twisted.

Midnight Ridge? That was the loan shark company that took her father’s house a year ago. Life had been a living hell for her and her father ever since. His health had gotten worse. They had moved from place to place before finally settling in a small apartment in Manhattan when Sophia started working at a VVIP bar.

The loan they took had been to cover her college tuition and her father’s medication. But when her father missed a payment, Midnight Ridge’s men retaliated by destroying the little goods her father had left to sell. Two weeks later, someone set fire to the building, and her father’s store was gone. The stress added to his health deterioration and left him bedridden.

And now, to discover Midnight Ridge was tied to Knight Financials?

Had Nicolas known? Was this why he’d sought her out for the contract marriage? So he could own her, and she wouldn’t be able to break free?

Anger boiled in her chest, rising like a wave. Her nails dug into her palms as she tried to keep herself steady. She felt an unfamiliar heat flood her chest; resentment.

No matter the cost, she would uncover the truth. And if Nicolas was guilty, she would make him regret underestimating her.

“If Nicolas played any part in this, I'd tear his perfect world apart piece by piece”

***

Violet slid a glass of wine toward Ben and smiled. Her smile was sharp, almost cruel.

“I’m happy that we share the same goal,” Violet said, swirling the liquid in her glass. “I want Nicolas back at all costs.”

Ben leaned forward, his expression dark. “Just as I don't want Sophia beside him, What’s the plan?”

Violet smirked. “We’ll make her life a living hell. By the time we’re done, she won’t know what hit her.”

She pulled out a note, sliding it toward him. “Here’s how we start. Nicolas doesn’t know who you are yet, so we’ll use that to our advantage...”

…