Married By Contract, Bounded By Love.

CHAPTER 2

****

Nicolas saw Sophia hurry out through the side door. Her hair had almost come undone from whatever happened between her and Violet. He looked around; he knew Violet was trying to get people’s attention. She was never up to anything good.

“Quit acting, Violet. What, what happened? Don’t you dare lie” Nicolas whispered back through clenched teeth as a small crowd gathered around.

Chris made his way through the gathering crowd. “Leave her to me, Nic. Go check on her,” he gently nodded toward the door as he took Violet from Nicolas’ arms and steadied her on a chair.

“It… It wasn’t her fault. She tripped and pushed me. So I hit my head and my hand. I feel dizzy, Nic,” Violet said weakly, reaching out to touch his arm, but Nicolas pulled back slightly, his jaw tightening.

“Chris will take you home.” He nodded to everyone. “Thank you, she’s okay.” As soon as the people dispersed, Nicolas went after Sophia.

****

Sophia had just managed to calm her shaking hands when she heard footsteps behind her. Nicolas's face was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw betrayed his anger. His blue eyes almost pierced her soul.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” His voice was low and controlled, but sharp enough to cut through the cool night air. Even with his controlled anger, she couldn’t deny that he was dashing and he made her stomach rumble.

Sophia’s chest tightened. It wasn’t just Violet’s lies that chilled her now, it was the way Nicolas looked at her with cold, detached frustration.

“Nicolas, it’s not what you think…” She tried stepping closer to him.

“No, Sophia. His voice was hard, cutting her off sharply. What were you thinking? You were about to cause a scandal.”

A lump formed in her throat. He hadn’t even bothered to ask what had happened. He didn’t care if she was hurt.

“Nicolas, I didn’t. She framed me…” Sophia’s voice trembled, but she stood firm.

"And you think people will believe your story over hers?" he interrupted, his tone harder now. His sharp jawline tightened as he locked his piercing blue eyes on her. He stepped closer, making her instinctively step back.

She felt a sharp sting in her chest. He wasn’t asking for her side or caring about what had really happened. All that mattered to him was his public image. Her eyes darted as she searched his unarguably perfect face, hoping to see a different expression that might prove he didn’t mean what he said.

“Nicolas, I’m telling you the truth,” she whispered, her voice wavering. “Violet is lying, she set this up. She cornered me…”

“I don’t care what she did.” He cut her off, his tone cold, final. He stepped closer, and for a moment, his piercing gaze softened as it moved to her lips, just a fraction, but it quickly hardened again. "You should’ve been smarter and avoided the scene. That’s what I need from you, Sophia.

“You know Violet and this,” he gestured vaguely, his tone clipped, “could’ve been a disaster for us. For me. You should’ve been more careful.” Nicolas ran a hand through his neatly styled dark hair, leaving it slightly tousled. His broad shoulders squared as he inhaled deeply.

Her chest tightened as a mixture of love, anger, and sadness battled inside her. "But"

“No more buts. Get your things. Gaius will take you home.” Nicolas turned abruptly, leaving her standing there as he strode back into the hall.

Sophia stood frozen momentarily, staring after his 6ft2 figure walking away, her heart aching. As her emotions overwhelmed her, she angrily beat her chest, trying to suppress the flood of tears that now poured down her cheeks.

***

Gaius, Nicola’s driver, was already waiting for her. He opened the door as she approached, his expression professional but filled with concern.

"Mrs. Knight, are you alright?" he asked gently.

Sophia couldn’t bring herself to answer him. She shook her head slightly, unable to speak. The weight of everything was too much, and she wanted to get away from it all.

She slid into the back seat, her body slumping against the cool leather. "Let’s go," she said quietly, her voice barely audible, shaking.

As the car pulled away from the parking lot, Sophia let her mind wander. Her thoughts drifted to the two months they had been married.

Their first month he had been different. He had charmed her with his calm demeanor, and she had started to feel comfortable around him. But after his business trip, something shifted. He became distant, cold, and was barely around.

Did he notice how her heart raced when he was near and how she longed for him? Was this his way of reminding her of their contract's terms, of putting her back in her place?

She sighed angrily, resting her head against the car window, staring at the speeding lights and passing trees. At least he was fulfilling his side of the deal. He paid her father’s medical bills, ensuring she didn’t die in debt, but beyond that, there was nothing between them.

Their marriage was a transaction, nothing more. No touching. No loving.

The only reason she had agreed to this was because of her father. After what Ben, her ex, did to her, she had sworn not to have anything to do with love or relationships.

When Dr. Whitman told her that her father had just two months without the surgery. Nicolas’s offer seemed like the only way to save him. At least now her father was better, she reminded herself, trying to take some comfort in that.

Sophia closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, wiping the remaining tears from her cheeks.

She barely noticed her phone buzzing until it went off again. Her shaking hands fumbled with it as she saw the caller ID: Unknown Number. A knot formed in her stomach. Hesitating, she finally pressed for an answer.

“Hello?” Sophia’s voice was shaky, barely above a whisper.

“Sophia?” A voice broke through the line. “This is Nurse Helen from St. Mary’s Hospital. Your father... I’m afraid he’s slipped into a coma. Doctor Whitman asked me to inform you immediately.”

The words hit her like a blow, seizing her breath. Her grip tightened on the phone as her chest tightened. “No… No, that can’t be,” she murmured, her voice cracking. “This can’t be happening.”

“I’m so sorry. It’s important that you come as soon as possible,” the nurse added gently. “Doctor Whitman wants to speak to you about his condition.” Sophia leaned her head back against the seat, barely able to breathe. “St. Mary’s Hospital, please,” she instructed, her voice low, almost broken.

“Yes, ma’am,” the driver replied softly.