Sophia was startled. She stood up abruptly, trying to evade him. However, the fitting room was only so big—there was nowhere to hide. The moment she moved, Capone stretched out his arms and pulled her into his embrace.
"What are you afraid of? Dressed so beautifully, isn't it meant to be seen? Why hide?"
His warm breath lingered at her ear, as if it were a lover's sweet whisper. His hand slid under her arm, boldly resting on her ample chest, kneading it suggestively. "This seems a bit tight. It'll need altering, or it might get uncomfortable."
He was spot on. Sophia flushed as she remembered how she had thought of him earlier for the very same reason.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration.
"I missed you. Came to see you," he replied, his voice deep and gravelly. His face was buried in the crook of her neck, inhaling her unique, sweet scent. His eyelids lowered as though he sighed, his body relaxing slightly.
Sophia noticed how rare it was for him to be like this. Something was clearly on his mind—he must have encountered some problem. She frowned slightly and said, "I made myself clear last time. Why are you still looking for me?"
Capone laughed nonchalantly. "Made clear? That we're even now and should go our separate ways? Sophy, you said that. I never agreed to it."
Sophia glared at him angrily. "Capone, what exactly do you want? Can't you see I'm about to get married? If you keep pestering me like this, all those rumors will come true sooner or later. I'll be branded as a fickle, unfaithful woman. My husband's family will despise me, maybe even cast me out. I won't be able to return to my own family either. My life will be ruined. Then what? Are you planning to mock me and toy with me once that happens? Is that your goal?"
Capone tightened his hold around her, his voice taut with tension. "I have my plans. I won't let it come to that."
Sophia let out a bitter laugh. "Just like how you had it all planned when you kidnapped me? And yet here we are. Did you foresee this outcome?"
Capone's hand slid indecently past the neckline of her dress, venturing into the softness beneath. He kneaded her gently, his movements deliberate. "I've never regretted taking you."
If he hadn't, given their identities, they might never have crossed paths, let alone developed feelings for each other.
Loving her—and being loved by her—was the best thing he had ever done in his life.
"I'm not…"
"Sophy!" He cut her off. "Don't get engaged. The dress is beautiful, but I can offer you something far more valuable in exchange. Just wait for me a few days, will you?"
Sophia froze, finally managing to ask, "What's going on?"
What was the "precious thing" he was talking about?
Capone shook his head, offering no further explanation. His response was simple and detached: "You don't need to know too much."
Sophia hated it when he spoke so vaguely, as if his world excluded her, as if she wasn't meant to be a part of it.
"I won't cancel the engagement. It wouldn't be fair to anyone!" Especially to Roger. She had chosen this path, and she had to see it through.
Capone narrowed his eyes. "Sophy, don't push me."
"What are you going to do? This is Hokkaido, not the harbor. Even with your wealth and influence, you can't control everything everywhere. My family won't allow it either!"
When she mentioned her family, Capone's smile took on a strange, cryptic edge. "Don't be so sure about that."
"What do you mean?"
Capone didn't answer. He had promised those involved that everything would be buried, hidden from view, and he wouldn't break that promise by bringing it up now.
Sophia wasn't entirely wrong. Power and influence didn't mean you could dominate everywhere. If he wanted others to owe him favors, he had to handle things seamlessly. That was why he had stayed in Hokkaido, both to keep an eye on Sophia and to ensure everything was executed flawlessly.
Karl, the twelfth-ranked subordinate, and Yan Dong, ranked seventh, were like feuding rivals who couldn't stand each other, yet their teamwork was impeccable. They had pulled this off without a hitch.
Danny, that insolent scum, had dared to provoke him. He should've known this was the price he'd pay.
Sophia's soft, pale chest was already flushed from Capone's relentless touch, her sensitive peaks pressing firmly into his palm.
His teasing continued, his kisses trailing along her neck and shoulder. His hands moved with purpose, seemingly intent on pulling down her entire dress.
"Stop it… let go of me! There are people outside!"
It was bad enough that he bullied her at work, but this was someone else's store, and there were others nearby. Just because he could come and go as he pleased didn't mean they could act recklessly here.
Seeing the mist in her eyes, on the verge of tears, Capone softened. He couldn't bear to push her too far. He gently pinched the sensitive peak through her dress one last time before pulling her clothes back into place. His lips brushed against her soft, fair earlobe as he whispered, "Wait for me a few days. I'll return to the harbor and bring back what I promised to trade for you."
Sophia still couldn't understand what Capone planned to offer in exchange for her abandoning the engagement, nor could she grasp his true intentions for coming here.
This time, Capone hadn't forcefully taken over her body as he had before, nor had he said anything particularly hurtful. It was as though he was holding something back, or perhaps he had seen a glimmer of hope. After taking a few liberties and speaking cryptic words, he simply left.
Yet Sophia remained utterly in the dark. Lily's death and her brother's sorrowful descent into despair had cast a heavy shadow over her, leaving little room in her mind for overthinking. She found herself clinging to the simple idea that the saying "the longer the night, the more the dreams" held some truth. Seizing the present moment seemed the only course of action.
She decided against altering the dress. A slightly looser fit didn't significantly impact its appearance. As for the ceremony, she wanted it to be as simple as possible. Originally planned for two weeks later, she resolved to move it up to this weekend. Everything they needed was already prepared, and completing the event sooner would lift the heavy stone weighing on her heart.
Roger, of course, agreed to whatever she wanted. He wasn't one to place much importance on ceremonies either. For him, it was more about accommodating family expectations and social obligations within the business world. As long as everything was properly arranged, there was no need for an extravagant display.
Sophia deliberately avoided informing Capone. She hoped he would remain entirely unaware of the specifics of her engagement, believing that hastening the ceremony would bring the matter to a settled conclusion before he could intervene.
But she underestimated Capone's determination—and just how much she meant to him. The impact of her actions would prove to be far greater than she had imagined.
The engagement ceremony was held in the banquet hall of the Four Seasons Hotel. Even though Sophia wanted to keep it simple, this was, after all, a union between two prominent families. Naturally, the event was anything but small.
Each side had invited about a hundred close relatives and business associates to witness the occasion.
The most professional wedding planning company had been hired, and they had prepared everything to perfection. The venue was decorated in a warm and romantic style. Though spring flowers were not at their best, the hall was filled with lush roses and lilies, freshly bloomed and adorned with dew, flown in directly by air.
Sophia's dress and hair were adorned with simple floral accents. She had never been fond of glittering jewels, and after returning from the harbor, her preference for natural things had only grown stronger.
Like the ocean, the beach, and the subdued hues of gray, white, and blue in the seaside house...
Realizing her thoughts had wandered back to things connected to Capone, Sophia felt a pang in her heart. She knew it wasn't right, but she couldn't control it.
Perhaps time would help her forget. Even if she couldn't, at least she could bury those memories deep enough that they wouldn't surface so easily.
As the ceremony drew closer, Sophia's heart grew heavier. It wasn't the sense of relief she had imagined would come with this day.
Maybe it would feel better once the ceremony was over, she thought, trying to console herself.
Standing before the full-length mirror for a final look, she examined herself. Her makeup was soft and elegant, her dress exquisitely tailored, and her lips curved into a subtle smile. Everything appeared flawless.
Taking a deep breath, she told herself, It'll be fine. After tonight, everything will be behind me.
Roger entered after a polite knock on the door, a perfect gentleman. Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "You look stunning today."
"Am I not usually pretty?" Sophia blinked playfully, trying to lighten the mood.