The day after their wedding, the female lead, Sophia, wakes up late, her body still sore from the intense night before. She decides to take the day off work to recover. Meanwhile, the male lead, Alex, leaves early for the office, already immersed in the responsibilities of his high-powered career.
As the morning wears on, Sophia enjoys a quiet breakfast prepared by the house staff, still marveling at the luxury that now surrounds her. She's beginning to feel more comfortable in her new role as Alex's wife, even though everything still feels a bit surreal.
However, her peace is soon shattered when the door bursts open, and Isabella "Bella" Lin, Alex's childhood friend, storms into the house. Bella's expression is one of pure rage, and before Sophia can even stand up, Bella's harsh words begin to pour out.
"You really think you can just waltz in here and take what's mine?" Bella sneers, her voice dripping with contempt. "You're nothing but a gold-digger, clinging to a man you barely know. Do you really think you deserve to be here, in this house, in his life?"
Sophia, taken aback by the sudden hostility, tries to stand her ground. "I don't know what you're talking about," she begins, trying to keep her voice steady, "but Alex chose me, and that's something you'll have to accept."
Bella's eyes flash with fury. "Accept? You think I'll just accept that some nobody can walk into his life and take my place? I've been by his side for years, through everything! And now you, a commoner, think you can just replace me?"
Before Sophia can respond, Bella steps forward and, without warning, slaps her hard across the face. The sound of the slap echoes through the room, leaving Sophia momentarily stunned, her cheek stinging from the force of the blow.
"You don't belong here," Bella hisses, leaning in close, her face twisted with anger. "You'll never be more than a temporary distraction for him. And once he realizes that, he'll throw you out like the trash you are."
Sophia reels from the shock, tears stinging her eyes, but she refuses to let Bella see her cry. She's about to say something when she notices the housekeeper, Mrs. Wong, discreetly leaving the room, clearly alarmed by the situation.
Bella, mistaking Sophia's silence for submission, smirks cruelly. "I could ruin you right now," she says, her voice low and dangerous. "One word from me, and you'll be back in whatever gutter you crawled out of."
Just as Bella is about to continue her tirade, the front door slams open, and Alex strides into the room, his eyes blazing with anger. He had been informed by Mrs. Wong on his way to the office and had turned back immediately.
"Bella, that's enough!" Alex's voice is a low growl, filled with a warning that makes even Bella hesitate. He quickly crosses the room to stand protectively in front of Sophia, his expression darkening as he sees the red mark on her cheek.
Bella, momentarily thrown off by his sudden arrival, tries to recover her composure. "Alex, I was just—"
"I don't care what you were doing," Alex cuts her off sharply. "You don't come into my home and lay a hand on my wife. You've crossed a line, Bella."
Sophia, still shaken, looks up at Alex, her heart racing. She can see the fury in his eyes, but there's also a protective warmth that she hadn't fully realized was there until now.
Bella's face pales slightly, but she quickly masks it with defiance. "She's not right for you, Alex. She's beneath you. Everyone knows it. I'm just trying to protect you."
Alex's jaw tightens, and he steps closer to Bella, his voice cold. "The only person I need protection from right now is you. You're out of line, and you need to leave. Now."
Bella's eyes fill with a mixture of hurt and anger, but she knows better than to argue further. She turns on her heel and storms out of the house, her parting words hanging in the air like a curse. "You're making a mistake, Alex. You'll regret this."
As the door slams shut behind her, the tension in the room begins to ease, but the silence that follows is heavy. Alex turns to Sophia, his expression softening as he gently touches her cheek where Bella struck her.
"I'm so sorry, Sophia," he says, his voice filled with regret. "I never thought she'd do something like this. Are you okay?"
Sophia nods, though her voice trembles slightly as she responds. "I'll be fine. I just... wasn't expecting that."
Alex pulls her into a comforting embrace, holding her close as if to shield her from any further harm. "She won't bother you again," he promises. "I'll make sure of it."
Sophia leans into him, feeling a sense of safety and security that she hadn't known she needed. Despite the chaos of the morning, she can't help but feel grateful for Alex's presence, and the realization that maybe, just maybe, this marriage of convenience is turning into something much more real.