Chapter5
1041 Words
Chapter 5: The Public Test
Sophia turned slowly exhaling and facing Alex. "Then we give them something to believe in."
They walked out together, hands joined, with the bright camera flashes almost blinding them. Reporters shouted questions, but Alex simply lifted a hand to silence the uproar.
"Thank you all for coming," he said smoothly. "There's been speculation about my marriage to Sophia, and we husband and wife are here to clarify things."
Sophia smiled out of forced breath. "This marriage is very real despite the rumors in some places. Anyone who would doubt that has never seen us behind closed doors."
A murmur swept through the crowd. A reporter stepped forward. "Then prove it. Show us."
Turning to her, Alex something flickered in his eyes—something he couldn’t read. Before she could react, he pulled her close and kissed her.
And this time it didn’t feel like acting at all.
Sophia's lips tingle long after Alex had pulled away. For one brief second the room was silent, then the press erupted into a flurry of camera flashes and shouting voices.
She forced herself to stay calm, gripping Alex’s hand tighter as if that were her only grounding.
A reporter stepped forward, her gaze keen. "Mr. Sterling, was that a performance, or do you truly love your wife?"
Alex didn't hesitate. "I love my wife." His tone was calm and unshaken. "And I would not allow anyone to try and come between us."
Breath of Sophia was captured. Words were perfect, too perfect Were the words true or just mere flattery ?
Another reporter added, "Sophia, do you feel the same?"
She swallowed as if doing so would help her to nod. “I wouldn’t be here If I weren’t.”
Alex turned to her then, his gaze searching hers. "Sophia—"
Before he could speak another word, Ethan appeared at their side, his face taut. "We need to leave. Now."
Alex frowned. "What’s wrong?"
Ethan dropped his voice a little. "Another piece of information just got leaked. And this one is worse."
Sophia’s stomach dropped. "How much worse?"
Ethan’s jaw tightened. "Enough to destroy everything."
Sophia shook, clutching Alex’s arm as they bolted out of the press conference. Paparazzi were waiting outside, yelling a jumbled storm of questions and accusations.
Once inside the car, Alex turned sharply to Ethan. "What was leaked?"
Ethan hesitated for a moment but then handed his phone to Alex. "It's a copy of the contract. The original agreement between you and Sophia. It's everywhere."
Her blood ran cold and she whispered almost inaudibly, “No…” it was more of a hiss.
Alex tightened his grip on the phone while looking at the paper. "Who did this?"
Ethan shook his head. "We don't know yet. But there's more. The leak came with an anonymous tip—a person saying you manipulated Sophia to get into this deal. That you threatened her."
Sophia gasped. "That’s a lie!"
Alex's face darkened, his jaw tight. "Of course it is. But the public doesn't care about the truth. They'll gobble this up."
Sophia met his gaze, panic rising in her chest. "What do we do now?"
Alex inhaled sharply then reached for her hand. "We fight back. We go on the offensive. We tell them the truth before they get to decide it for us."
Sophia nodded but did not shake her doubt. For the first time, she felt that knowing the truth would not be enough to save them all.
The ride back to the penthouse was silent, loaded with unvoiced tension. Sophia’s mind raced to understand the reality of their situation. The world now viewed her as just a piece in Alex Sterling's game.
As soon as they entered, Alex shut the door with a bang and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "We need to move fast. Damage control, interviews, legal action- anything it takes."
Sophia crossed her arms as she spoke, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. “And what if by any chance it is insufficient? What if the public has indeed already decided?”
Alex turned to her, looking very intense. "Then we give them something real. Something they can't ignore."
She frowned. "What are you saying?"
He took a step closer. "We are getting married. For real."
Sophia’s breath hitched. "What?"
Alex breathed out, his voice steady. "A real wedding, a real vow. No contracts, no deals. If we can show them our love is true, they have no choice but to believe us."
Sophia searched his face, her heart hammering. "And is it? Genuine?"
There was no fear in Alex's voice. "It is so clearly meant for me. The only thing to ask yourself is… are you it— the writer of this book?"
At Alex’s words, Sophia’s heart raced. The space between them was pregnant with tension and something she could not name was crowding the air.
She took a shaky breath. "You think a wedding is gonna make any of this better? That the world will just suddenly believe us because we put on another show?"
Alex stepped closer, shaking his head. "This is not a show, Sophia. It's real for me. I want this, and I want you. It goes beyond the media and my company now."
She searched his face for a sign of lying. "You mean that now, but what about after this blows over? When you don't need me anymore?"
His jaw tightened. "I’ll always need you."
Sophia laughed bitterly. "Talk is cheap, Alex. I need more than that."
Alex exhaled sharply, his voice hoarse. "Then tell me what you need from me. Tell me how I can prove that this isn't just another transaction to you."
Hesitation was being felt, making her mind spin. Can that risk be taken by her? Can she let him into her heart, even when she knows he might destroy it?
Finally, she whispered, "Give me time."
Alex's eyes softened but hardened his face. "Take all the time you need. But know this, Sophia-I’m not going anywhere."
The following days were blurred. Sophia got carried away by a storm of emotions, each vying for supremacy. She a
voided Alex, requiring distance to reflect, to feel.
- Writer
