Chapter 7: The Devil's Vows
She once dreamed of love. Now, love is the thing that devours her.
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Sophia sat motionless, staring at the engagement ring in her trembling hands.
Marry him.
The words echoed in her head like a curse, like a chain tightening around her throat.
She had spent her whole life dreaming of love. Of a man who would hold her gently, kiss her softly, whisper promises under a sky full of stars.
Instead, she had Adrian DeLuca.
A man who demanded instead of asked. Who didn't need her love, only her obedience.
Her fingers clenched around the ring.
"I need to see my brother," she said, voice hoarse.
Adrian sat across from her, legs crossed in a casual elegance that only made him more terrifying. He sipped from a glass of whiskey, watching her.
"No."
Sophia's stomach dropped. "Please, just let me"
"He's fine." Adrian leaned back in his chair, eyes sharp. "Your neighbor, Mrs. Collins, believes you're visiting a relative. Your best friend, however…"
He tilted his glass, swirling the amber liquid. Smirking.
"…needed more convincing."
Sophia froze.
"What did you do?" she whispered.
Adrian didn't answer.
And that was the worst part. The not knowing.
Her breathing turned shallow. Liam was all she had outside of Noah. Her best friend, the one person who always had her back.
A memory flickered
---
One year ago.
Sophia sat cross-legged on her small, creaky bed, her hands cradling Noah's tiny face. His bright blue eyes so much like their mother's blinked up at her.
"Tell me a story," he whispered.
She smiled, brushing back his messy curls. "A story?"
Noah nodded eagerly.
She thought for a moment, then whispered, "Once upon a time, there was a little prince. He didn't live in a castle, but in a small home with his sister. She worked really hard, and even though she was tired, she always smiled because she loved him very much."
Noah beamed. "Did the prince grow up happy?"
Sophia hesitated.
She wanted to say yes.
But the truth was, she didn't know. Happy endings weren't guaranteed in their world.
So she simply kissed his forehead and whispered, "Sleep, little prince."
---
Her chest ached.
Now, Noah was alone.
Did he cry last night, reaching for her in the dark? Did he think she had abandoned him?
A sharp, suffocating pain wrapped around her ribs.
"I want to see him," she said. "If you expect me to marry you, I need proof that he's okay."
Adrian sighed, setting his glass down with a soft clink. Then he pulled out his phone.
A few seconds later, he turned the screen toward her.
Sophia's heart clenched.
Noah sat on Mrs. Collins' couch, small hands clutching his stuffed bear. His legs kicked idly as she handed him a plate of cookies.
He was smiling.
But his eyes…
They looked lost.
Sophia choked back a sob.
"You'll never see him again if you keep testing me." Adrian's voice was calm, but there was an edge beneath it a warning.
She hated him.
Hated how he had stolen her from her life. Hated that she had no choice.
But most of all, she hated how powerless she felt.
Adrian stood, stepping toward her. "Now," he murmured, "say yes."
Sophia's nails dug into her palms.
Then, with a voice that barely felt like her own, she whispered:
"…Yes."
Adrian smiled.
Satisfied.