Inside the crumbling mansion of Sophia's family. The air is thick with tension as Sebastian Sophia's father, stands behind his desk, hands gripping the edge tightly. Across from him, Sophia pacing restlessly, her face a mixture of anger and disbelief. The walls, once adorned with lavish portraits and expensive tapestries, now feel like a cage closing in on her. In the doorway, Lucas stands in silence, unnoticed, but observing closely.
Sophia's voice sharp, cutting through the silence lashed out. "You can't be serious, Father. You're really going to hand me over
to that.. that arrogant fool?"
Sebastian exhales deeply, his shoulders
put under the weight of his decisions.
His eyes avoid hers.
Sebastian quietly intoned "You don't understand, Sophia. We have no choice. Matteo owns everything now. If we don't agree to this marriage, we will lose the last thing we have, in our name, our dignity."
Sophia cutting him off uttered. "Dignity? Father. Is that what you call selling your daughter off like a prized horse? Jeff doesn't care about me, and you know it! He's just like his father cruel, selfish, and completely heartless!"
Her words cut through the room like a blade. Sebastian flinches but remains resolute.
"Sophia, this isn't about love. It's about survival. We have lost everything. Our
fortune, our influence. I failed us. But if you marry Jeff, we will have a future again. The family can rebuild."
Sophia halts in her pacing, turning to face him. Her eyes burn with frustration, her
hands clenched into fists by her side.
Sophia coldly said "A future built on lies and control? That's not a life I want. I would rather
live in ruins than be someone's puppet."
At that moment, Lucas shifts slightly in the shadows, his attention fully on Sophia. Her strength, her defiance. It all strikes something deep within him. He remembers the night he saved her, though she had no idea who he was back then. The memory lingers in his mind as he listens, drawn to her not just by duty, but something far more personal.
"They are forcing her into a life of lie she doesnt want. Just like how i was trapped, living a life of lie." Lucas thought to himself.
"I never wanted this for you, Sophia. You're my daughter. But I can't protect you anymore. The world we live in, it's cruel. I have made mistakes, I know that. But this is the only way to save us." Sebastian lowers his head, mumbled in a calm voice, pleading.
Sophia's gaze softens, just for a moment,
as she sees the pain in her father's eyes.
But her resolve remains unshaken. She firmly uttered "I don't need saving. Not like this."
Sebastian opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of heavy footsteps approaching cuts him off. Matteo's voice echoed from the hallway as he enters the room with a wide, calculating grin.
Matteo mockingly said "Ah, the lovely Sophia. Discussing our little arrangement, is that necessary?"
Sophia tenses at the sight of Matteo, her skin crawling at the way his eyes scan her like a possession. Lucas stands a few steps behind Matteo, his face an unreadable mask, but his eyes are locked on Sophia, silently watching her every move.
"You should be honored, Sophia. My son
Jeff is quite the catch. With this marriage, your family will be back on top. Isn't that
what you want?" Mr. Matteo smirked.
"What I want is irrelevant, isn't it? This is just
a business transaction to you." Sophia
lashed out.
Matteo chuckles darkly, ignoring her harsh words . "Business, yes. But you will find out that power and wealth are far more satisfying than petty things like love. Trust me, I have built an empire on it."
Sophia glares at him, disgusted by his arrogance. Lucas watches her, his chest tightening. He can see the fire in her eyes,
the fight she refuses to let go of.
"She's not afraid of him. She won't back down, no matter the cost. But how long can she hold out?" Lucas thought, full of rage.
Matteo steps closer to Sophia, saying in a convincing manner with a false charming
face. "You will grow to appreciate what I'm offering, Sophia. Jeff will make sure you're well taken care of. Just be a good girl and play your part."
Sophia's jaw clenches, her nails digging into her palms. Before she can respond, Lucas steps forward, his presence commanding, though his voice is calm.
Lucas quietly, but firmly intoned "Matteo, maybe it's time to give her some space."
Matteo turns, raising an eyebrow at Lucas, surprised by the interruption. There's a
flicker of something dangerous in Matteo's eyes, but Lucas doesn't back down. He
stands tall, his gaze steady.
"Careful, Shadow. Remember your place."
Matteo furiously uttered.
Lucas bows his head slightly, but his expression remains unyielding. He uttered
"Of course, Boss. I just thought you would want the lady to think it over without pressure."
Matteo studies Lucas for a moment, then turning back to Sophia. mockingly smirked. "Very well. Think it over, Sophia. But don't
take too long. Time is money, after all."
With that, Matteo turns and walks out of the room, leaving Sophia and her father standing in silence. Lucas watches Matteo leave, then glances at Sophia, catching her eye. For a moment, they hold each other's gaze, something unspoken passing between them. Sophia's expression softens, just for a second, as she remembers.
Sophia quietly intone, almost to herself "You. you're the guy who saved me last time."
Lucas's eyes flicker, but he says nothing. He gives a slight nod before stepping back into the shadows, his heart unexpectedly stirred by her recognition.