Sophia woke to the pale morning light filtering through the massive windows of Alexander's penthouse. She was disoriented for a moment, the unfamiliar surroundings disconcerting. Then reality settled in like a heavy fog. This wasn't a dream. She was in Alexander Maddox's home, and from this moment forward, she would be living under his roof as his fiancée—soon to be his wife.
The vast bed felt too empty, too cold, despite the luxurious blankets and the softness of the mattress. She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with the weight of her decision. The contract she had signed loomed over her like a shadow. Every word she had agreed to echoed in her thoughts.
*You are mine now.*
That had been the unspoken promise in Alexander's eyes as she handed him the signed contract. She knew this wasn't a marriage of love, but somehow the reality of it was still sinking in. She would be bound to a man who viewed their relationship as nothing more than a transaction. But there was no room for second thoughts or regrets. Her family's survival depended on this.
The penthouse was eerily quiet. It was too early for the staff to be moving about, and Alexander, she assumed, was still asleep or out handling his business empire. Sophia climbed out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet, and padded over to the wall of windows that overlooked the city below. The view was breathtaking, a sprawling metropolis that seemed endless, but it did little to ease the knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach.
She was trapped in a gilded cage.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see a middle-aged woman with silver-streaked hair standing at the entrance, her uniform crisp and neat.
"Good morning, Miss Hart," the woman said with a polite smile. "I'm Mrs. Warren, the house manager. Mr. Maddox requested that I bring your schedule for the day. Would you like your breakfast served here in the room, or will you be joining him in the dining area?"
Sophia blinked, taken aback by the sudden formality. "My… schedule?" she asked, feeling the words fumble in her mouth.
Mrs. Warren nodded, stepping forward to hand her a leather-bound planner. "Yes, Mr. Maddox has arranged for several appointments today. There's a fitting at ten for your engagement dress, followed by a luncheon with some key figures from the press at noon. And this evening, there will be a charity event where you'll make your first public appearance together."
Sophia's heart skipped a beat. A public appearance? Already? She wasn't ready for this. Her mind flashed back to the contract, the section that detailed her role in his life. She wasn't just marrying a man—she was becoming a part of his carefully curated public image, an extension of his power and influence.
"Do I… have a choice in any of this?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended.
Mrs. Warren hesitated, her expression unreadable but kind. "I understand this must be overwhelming, Miss Hart. Mr. Maddox takes his reputation very seriously, and he's invested a great deal in ensuring this arrangement goes smoothly. But if you have any concerns, you may want to address them with him directly."
Sophia gave a small nod, clutching the planner tightly to her chest. "I see. Thank you."
Mrs. Warren smiled again before retreating from the room, leaving Sophia alone with her thoughts once more. She flipped through the planner, her heart sinking as she saw the detailed list of appointments, events, and social engagements already laid out for the next few weeks. It was all happening so fast. She had barely adjusted to the idea of living in this penthouse, let alone being paraded around as Alexander Maddox's fiancée in front of New York's elite.
She needed air. She needed to clear her head before she suffocated under the weight of this new reality.
Grabbing her phone, Sophia made her way downstairs to the penthouse's private terrace. The moment she stepped outside, the crisp morning breeze greeted her, offering some much-needed relief. The terrace was massive, with sleek outdoor furniture and a lush garden that seemed out of place in the heart of Manhattan. She walked over to the edge and leaned against the glass railing, staring out at the city below, trying to find a moment of peace.
But peace was elusive.
Her phone buzzed in her hand, jolting her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen, expecting another text from her mother, but instead, it was a message from Alexander.
*Alexander: Breakfast is ready in the dining room. I'll see you in five.*
Her stomach clenched. She had barely spoken to him since signing the contract, and now they were expected to dine together as if they were any ordinary couple. Sophia straightened, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. She could do this. She had to do this. For her family.
When she entered the dining room, she found Alexander already seated at the head of the table, a newspaper spread out in front of him. He looked every bit the commanding figure she had first met, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his dark hair neatly styled. The dining room, like the rest of the penthouse, was modern and minimalist, with sleek furniture and large windows that flooded the space with natural light.
He glanced up as she approached, his sharp blue eyes assessing her in that unnerving way he had. "Good morning," he said, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. "I trust you slept well."
"Good morning," Sophia replied, forcing a polite smile. "I slept fine, thank you."
He gestured to the seat across from him, and she sat down, her hands resting awkwardly in her lap. A staff member appeared almost instantly, setting down plates of breakfast before them—fresh fruit, eggs, and toast, arranged with meticulous care.
"Mrs. Warren informed me of the schedule for today," Alexander said, his tone casual but commanding. "You'll need to be prepared for the engagement announcement this evening. It's important that we make a strong impression."
Sophia nodded, though her stomach churned at the thought. "Of course," she said quietly, picking at her food. "Is there… is there anything specific you want me to do? I'm not exactly used to this kind of thing."
Alexander's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly. "You don't need to do anything except be by my side. The media will be watching, and they'll scrutinize every detail, but as long as you follow my lead, everything will go smoothly."
His words were meant to be reassuring, but they only served to remind her of the power imbalance between them. She was expected to play the role of the perfect fiancée, to smile and nod and be the arm candy that completed his image. This wasn't her life anymore—it was Alexander's, and she was just a piece of the puzzle.
"Right," she murmured, forcing down a bite of her breakfast. "I understand."
They ate in silence for a few moments, the tension between them palpable. Sophia kept her gaze down, focusing on the food in front of her, but she could feel Alexander watching her. She wasn't sure if he was studying her, assessing her worth, or simply trying to gauge how well she would fit into his world.
Finally, he spoke again, his voice low but firm. "I know this isn't easy for you, Sophia. But you need to understand that this is a partnership. You and I—we're in this together. The sooner you accept that, the easier it will be."
Sophia looked up, meeting his gaze. His words were practical, but there was something in his tone that made her stomach twist. He was right—this was a partnership, but it wasn't equal. He held all the power, and she was at his mercy.
"I know," she said quietly. "I'm trying."
Alexander's expression softened ever so slightly, but it was gone in an instant. He stood, signaling that breakfast was over. "Good. We leave for the fitting in an hour. I'll have a car ready for you."
Sophia watched as he left the room, his presence commanding even as he walked away. She felt like she was sinking, trapped in a current she couldn't escape. The fitting, the luncheon, the engagement announcement—it was all happening so fast, and she wasn't sure how much more she could take.
An hour later, she found herself in a high-end bridal boutique, surrounded by gowns that cost more than most people's yearly salaries. The staff fluttered around her like bees, measuring, pinning, and adjusting as they fitted her for the engagement dress that would mark her debut as Alexander Maddox's fiancée.
The dress they chose was stunning—a sleek, off-the-shoulder white gown that clung to her figure in all the right places. It was elegant, sophisticated, and completely unlike anything she had ever worn before. As she stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection, she barely recognized herself.
The woman in the mirror was beautiful, poised, and every inch the future Mrs. Maddox. But she wasn't Sophia Hart. Not really.
"Mr. Maddox will be pleased," one of the staff members said with a smile as they finished adjusting the hem of the dress. "You look absolutely stunning."
Sophia forced a smile, but inside, she felt hollow. This wasn't about what she wanted. This was about what Alexander wanted. She was just a piece of the puzzle, a pawn in his game.