Sofia Ka

"Give me a bunch of adorable players, and I can easily overturn a parallel world!" - so said Reveno·Murphy·Le Senbula Ps: The titles owned by the honorable Murphy include but are not limited to counterfeit vampire, celebrated NPC role-play artist, multi-talented Dog Planner, the only savior of Transylvania, benefactor of the old continent, defender of the new continent, brave and loyal earl, irredeemable big-sister fanatic, spotless saint of the Blood race, Alpha of the Night's Guard, and so on (here ignoring the other 108 nicknames). He's indeed the homebody of the Fourth Cataclysm and the best old friend when you need to clean up a mess, thus all testers of "Real Different World," please stand up when you see this line! Let us give Lord Murphy the highest respect! Murphy, ka-ka! Full marks!

In the heart of Milan, where the sleek architecture of fashion houses pierces the sky and every street hums with power and pretense, twenty-three-year-old Sofia Mariani is just beginning to carve a place for herself. A driven and fiercely intelligent marketing intern, Sofia has clawed her way into the glittering world of Greco & Co., one of Italy’s most prestigious luxury fashion firms. Though she comes from a humble background, there is nothing small about Sofia’s dreams. She wants not only to succeed—but to rewrite the rules of success altogether. For Sofia, the office is both a battlefield and a stage. She spends her days perfecting campaigns and proving her worth in a culture that values image over integrity, charm over character. She is unafraid of the long hours, the ruthless hierarchy, or the sly glances that doubt her presence on the executive floor. What she doesn’t expect is to catch the attention of Alessandro Greco himself. Alessandro is a man shaped by legacy and loss. Cold, brilliant, and unknowable, he is the heir to the Greco empire, a man as feared as he is admired. He built his reputation on silence and precision, rarely stepping out of line, never letting anyone in. But when he notices Sofia—the intern who doesn’t flinch, doesn’t simper, doesn’t chase—his carefully controlled world begins to unravel. Their first real encounter doesn’t happen until weeks into Sofia’s internship. It’s a brief interaction, born of necessity, sharp with tension, but it leaves a mark. A glance becomes a conversation. A conversation turns into proximity. And proximity? That turns dangerous. When a late-night company gala ends with a moment of weakness—a kiss that turns into a night neither of them can forget—Sofia and Alessandro find themselves trapped in a storm neither of them saw coming. What should have been a fleeting indiscretion becomes irreversible when Sofia discovers she’s pregnant. The consequences are immediate and seismic. Rumors swirl. Allegiances shift. Alessandro, bound by duty and haunted by a past he never speaks of, proposes a solution that shocks them both: a contract. Discreet. Strategic. Temporary. They will pretend to be together for the sake of the company, the family name, and the unborn child. Love is not required. Attachment, forbidden. But as the days stretch into weeks and Sofia becomes more entwined in the fabric of Alessandro’s world, the lines begin to blur. They argue. They resist. They burn. What began as mutual indifference slowly shifts into reluctant reliance—then something much deeper. Sofia sees the man behind the empire: flawed, grieving, and deeply protective. Alessandro sees the woman behind the ambition: vulnerable, sharp, and fiercely loyal. Yet the closer they get, the more dangerous it becomes. Secrets fester beneath the glamour of their staged relationship. Alessandro’s family hides more than scandal; they hide a history that threatens to dismantle everything. Old flames return. Corporate rivals circle. And Sofia, caught between the life she imagined and the one she’s being forced into, must decide what she truly wants—and what she’s willing to risk for it. Tangles is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers office romance, a story woven with emotional complexity, seductive power plays, and a pregnancy that binds two unwilling hearts together. Over 120 chapters, it traces the transformation of Sofia and Alessandro’s relationship from wary strangers to passionate lovers to something far messier—and more beautiful—than either of them planned. It is about choice, consequence, and the long, winding road to real love. And the truth that sometimes, the most complicated knots are the ones that tie us to who we’re meant to become.

Sofia Everhart was barely holding her life together. Crushed beneath a mountain of unpaid bills and the suffocating debt left behind by her late parents. She clung to the only thing she still had control over, and it was her vow to save herself for the man she would one day marry. But that fragile hope shattered the night she showed up at her boyfriend's house—only to find him in bed with her officemate, both naked, both shamelessly entangled in betrayal. In a single moment, Sofia's heart was broken and with it, the last of her faith in love slipped away. Humiliated, heartbroken, and utterly broke, she needed an escape. That escape came in the form of LUXE CLUB, the city's most exclusive club, an upscale haven for the wealthy and powerful. One dare became a bet. Sofia gave herself to a devastatingly handsome man. For one night, she let go of the pain, the pressure, the fear and surrendered her virginity to a stranger. Adam Ravenstrong, the billionaire CEO of Ravenstrong Holdings, was not the kind of man who made mistakes. He was calculated,, cold, and completely unattached, he kept women at a comfortable, manageable distance. To finalize the multi-billion-dollar merger, his future business partner imposed one absurd condition: Adam had to be married. He didn't want a wife. But he wanted to close the deal. As if the pressure weren’t enough, his business partner had taken it upon himself to not only arrange but choose the woman Adam was expected to marry—stripping away even the illusion of choice. He never expected Sofia Everhart, his soon-to-be wife, to be the same woman he had a one-night stand with. The one who vanished without a trace. The same woman he hadn't been able to forget. And suddenly, his face darkened, his eyes turning cold. Excerpt: "You can't be my wife," Adam said sharply, his voice like ice. Sofia lifted her chin, meeting his gaze even as her knees threatened to give out. "You just need an accessory wife, right? So what's the problem?" His expression hardened. "Because you're not a virgin. That was one of the conditions." The words cut like glass. The courtroom fell into stunned silence. The judge, his business partner, and her best friends frozen in disbelief, while Adam’s best friend shifted uneasily in the corner, unsure where to look. Sofia slapped him hard, furious at the fact that Adam knew he had been her first. And now, he looked at her with smug disdain, as if she were someone unworthy to become his bride. Then she turned around and walked out, refusing to let him see the tears stinging her eyes. She needed the money to save her parents' house. In three days, the bank would take it, and with it, the last memory of the family she had lost. She might have lost everything, but she would never beg. Not from the billionaire who took her virginity and looked at her like she was nothing. Adam stood frozen, yet an amused smile crept across his lips as he realized Sofia wasn't like the women who chased his name, his money, or his empire. She didn't cling. She didn't flatter. She walked away, and now, even though she needed him, she wasn't pretending to want him. Sofia needed his money. He needed a wife. And if she was bold enough to slap him and walk away, then she was bold enough to stand beside him in a world built on power, image, and illusion. Whether it broke her or not, Adam would make sure she played the role of his perfect wife. He vowed never to love, hiding his heart beneath the ice. She promised never to surrender, guarding her pride like armor. But when their hearts collided, neither shield could withstand the force of love. ————————————————— Disclaimer: This novel contains mature themes in later chapters. Reader discretion is advised. All names, places, and settings are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people, locations, or events is purely coincidental.

Dive back in time, to the depths of the desert, and watch the old stories unfold before your eyes. A story of treasure hunting, betrayal, and destiny. When a gruesome future is all you see, how can you change it? When you're foretold to fail, how should you move on? Zarqa, the girl who saw beyond time, sought to find answers. -------------------------- Legend says that Zarqa had sharp eyes that could look far away in the distance. But what if that wasn’t the end of it, what if her eyes were seeing far beyond not only space, but time? What if Zarqa was blessed with a prophecy, one that could save her dying village from destruction? Just as they thought they had no way to survive, Zarqa learns of a way to protect her village from demolition. Naturally, no one believed her, for no one but the Almighty could see beyond the present. They forgot the Almighty offers knowledge to those whom he deems of worth. And Zarqa was one of them. Having to trudge an arduous path and go through a great adventure, Zarqa seeks to find the solution to all of their problems, a treasure said to have the power to change all. Pitted against magical traps and the mysteries of the deserts, she finds unexpected company in Ali Baba, the poor kid with the sticky fingers, and his crow Morjana... -------------------------- This is my first original long story here and is also a WSA 2024 Entry. I ask that you give it a try and hope you enjoy it :D Also, note that English is not my first language... And it's not my second either. -----------------------Media------------------------- This book has many openings, check them out: [General opening of the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVxnu5R3vws] [Baghdad Arc's opening: https://youtu.be/GwJIJ2Kn0FI] [Two Heavens Arc's opening: https://youtu.be/NO1C0ngBVjg] [Two Heavens Arc's ending: https://youtu.be/hO-XPQsCPFw] [Cursed Ring Arc's Opening: https://youtu.be/PUF4H98y2B0] [ Persia Arc's Opening: https://youtu.be/sSfG_uVSkQk] [Ending: https://youtu.be/1wQ_aJVFhx0] -----------------------Updates-------------------------- Updated weekly, 2 chapters on weekends. Please don't let the first paragraphs fool you. This isn't a story from the first person's POV.

Nytri Alcore Elnora, the first Calamity from the mortal realm. Her name alone birth Fear and Terror in the hearts of gods and devils alike. The destroyer of dimensions and realms. Born an orphan, betrayed by her adopted father and ordered by said father to die for his plan failing. His action set the young Nytri on her path to Dominion over the earth. Nytri survives after one faithful encounter with the Greatest of Lights to become a champion of the Abyssal Sanctum, one of the most difficult dungeons on the continent. She descends to the bottom and defeats the half-divine boss and befriends him. Her power attracts gods who wish to make her a Dark Lord, but her refusal created enmity between them. They tortured and trampled her, until she fell in the Wilderness, the land of Dragons, The Realm of Monsters. Beings so powerful, even the gods and devils believed to be myths. It was in this place that Nytri became a King of Monsters, the Nightmare Calamity. All who gaze upon her are stricken with Fear and Terror. Her return to Earth, brought the age of gods and devils to a short end. Nytri recounts what happened to her to a select brave few, who wish to know who the Nightmare Overlord truly is. But after she has recounted her story to them, she intends to face a threat far greater than the gods and devils. A threat known as, THE FALLEN. War across realities ends with Nytri Alcore Elnora, the Great Rebuker. Link to YouTube videos: https://youtu.be/v5mP1sYecg8

There was a young boy named Diamond who had a younger sister named Aika. They lived with Sofia and Mark, who were their stepmother and stepfather. Diamond and Aika had been found by Sofia and Mark in a dark alley, and they took them in as their children. Although they had developed a strong bond as a stepfamily, the details of their past remained a mystery. It was speculated that their biological families had abandoned them, but in truth, there was a more complicated reason for their evacuation from a dangerous situation. Since their adoption, Sofia and Mark had been curious about the children's unique appearances. Diamond had bright yellow hair and mismatched eyes—yellow on the right and light blue on the left. His eyes had an unusual ability to glow and shine, a trait that ordinary humans do not possess. Aika, on the other hand, had light blue hair and similar eyes, though her colors were reversed. While their distinctive looks attracted curiosity from others, Diamond felt happy in his new family. In reality, he was aware of the reason his original family had abandoned them—a tragedy that had left him traumatized. Despite his fears, he longed for the warmth and love of his new family to last forever. However, the shadow of that past loomed over him, and he stood there, filled with fear, tears, and disbelief as the tragedy he had witnessed unfolded before his very eyes.

Hunted. Exiled. Unbroken. Aria leads a rogue pack forged from fire and loss - wolves with no home but each other. When royal forces invade their land, she prepares to strike them. But in the heart of battle, she meets Kain, the lycan prince - and her fated mate.

Em um mundo devastado pelo apocalipse zumbi, Alex, um alfa forte e carismático, tenta liderar seu grupo de sobreviventes. No entanto, por trás da fachada de um líder, ele esconde um segredo: ele está apaixonado por seu secretário, Leo, um beta inteligente e sensível. No entanto, por causa de vários mal-entendidos, Leo termina o relacionamento. Com o fim abrupto do romance, o apocalipse chega com fúria, trazendo não apenas zumbis, mas traições e conflitos entre os sobreviventes. Leo, em sua busca para entender seu novo papel neste mundo cruel, descobre que possui um poder sobrenatural, no entanto, essa habilidade tem um preço terrível: ele deve enfrentar a perda de sua humanidade. O mundo se tornou um lugar onde a sobrevivência do mais apto, e Leo se encontra entre sua nova identidade e o amor que ainda sente por Alex. Quando seus caminhos se cruzam novamente, Alex percebe que para proteger Leo e ganhar sua confiança, ele precisará enfrentar não apenas as hordas de zumbis, mas também os fantasmas de seu passado. Ele deve decidir: ele pode aceitar o novo Leo, mesmo que isso signifique confrontar suas fraquezas e a sombra do que ele se tornou? Enquanto zumbis e sobreviventes lutam pelo poder, Alex e Leo devem trabalhar juntos para reconstruir o que foi quebrado e enfrentar a verdade sombria sobre os sacrifícios que o amor exige. Quando um inimigo usa um ômega para tentar se infiltrar no grupo de sobreviventes, Alex logo percebe isso e pretende cair no truque da beleza e leva o ômega para a floresta para se livrar dele. Mas Alex cometeu um erro. Ele não sabia que o ômega tinha um espaço mágico de jade em volta do pescoço, onde outro sobrevivente estava escondido, esperando a oportunidade de matá-lo. Acordando fraco, doente e vítima de uma armadilha 2 anos antes do apocalipse, Alex tem que consertar seu relacionamento com Leo.

In his past life, in a world ravaged by the zombie apocalypse, Alex, a strong and charismatic alpha, tries to lead his group of survivors. However, behind the facade of a leader, he hides a secret: he is in love with his secretary, Leo, an intelligent and sensitive beta. However, his personal life is in ruins. Leo, his beta boyfriend and secretary, has just discovered that Alex's family is planning an engagement with an omega. Tired of living in the shadow of expectations, Leo ends the relationship. With the abrupt end of the romance, the apocalypse arrives with fury, bringing not only zombies but betrayals and conflicts among survivors. Leo, in his search to understand his new role in this cruel world, discovers that he possesses a supernatural power: the ability to absorb the life energy of others, becoming stronger with each life he drains. However, this ability comes at a terrible price—he must face the loss of his humanity. As the two protagonists grow apart, Alex struggles with the pain of loss, while Leo is surrounded by challenges that force him to use his powers more and more. The world has become a place where survival of the fittest, and Leo finds himself torn between his new identity and the love he still feels for Alex. When their paths cross again, Alex realizes that to protect Leo and earn his trust, he will need to face not only the hordes of zombies but also the ghosts of his past. He must decide: can he accept the new Leo, even if it means confronting his weaknesses and the shadow of what he has become? The two support each other in a world in ruins, but the pressure from Alex's family to marry an elite omega makes everything more complicated. As zombies and survivors fight for power, Alex and Leo must work together, rebuilding what was broken and facing the dark truth about the sacrifices that love demands. Leo, who has always admired Alex from afar, feels the weight of expectation on his shoulders. He is the last person who would want to disrupt his beloved's life, so he decides to keep his feelings quiet. However, the chaos of the apocalypse brings unexpected challenges and, on one fateful night, Leo discovers that Alex's family is organizing a meeting between him and the omega, planning an engagement. Desperate and hurt, Leo confronts Alex, revealing his emotions. What should have been a conversation about survival turns into a deep outburst, where the two realize the love they have built amidst the destruction. They must decide whether to face the expectations of society and Alex's family or to give up their love to protect an uncertain future. Unfortunately, reality doesn't always have a happy ending. When an enemy uses an omega to try to infiltrate the group of survivors, Alex soon realizes this and pretends to fall for the beauty trick and takes the omega to the forest to get rid of him. After all, it wasn't the first time they used this trick and it always worked. But Alex made a mistake. He didn't know that the omega had a magical jade space around his neck where another survivor was hiding, waiting for the opportunity to kill him. The last thing Alex saw before he died was the omega transforming into his appearance and handing the necklace to someone else, apparently another omega. He wasn't sure because his vision was getting dark, but all he could think about was Leo. Reborn, waking up weak, sick, and the victim of a trap 2 years before the apocalypse Alex has to fix his relationship with Leo. With the zombie apocalypse lurking and the pressure from his family increasing, Alex and Leo must fight not only against the future threat of the undead but also against the ghosts of their insecurities.

Baz rishte khoon se Nahin khamoshi se bandhte Hain. Baz talukat ka bojh sadiyon ke razon se bhari hota hai Kahani Vahi hoti hai jo sirf alfaaz mein Nahin khamoshiyon mein bhi sans leti ho yah Kahani hai do duniyaon ki hidaya jise Goya jameen se katkar banaya Gaya hai jis ka mahel (qasr e hidaya) apne andr ek berahm sakoot chupy howe ha doosri janib khanzada haweli jis ke deewaron main rawayat ke khushboo basi ha UMER SOMRO ... Taqt aur himat ka nishan hidaya ka mzboot hakim Berik ke khufya tanzeem ka sarbarah jo hr fesla hikmat s leta Hidaya jhan razon ke bazgasht thi mgr tanhae ka raj tha wo mzboot insan dil m ek swal lye phirta tha HALE NOOR...khanzada haweli ka noor wo lrki jo bajamal r rawayton ke ameen ha mgr us ke sitara ankhon main chattano k jasi mzbooti ha ... Ye kahani ha ishq ke Umer or Hale ka ishq kya ishq r wafa ka ho ga imtihan ya hidaya ka raz sabit ho ga un ke rah ke sb s bri rukawat ye kahani us raz k gird ghoomti ha jis s in sb ke zindagian juri hain or usi ka naam " Sirr e Hidaya" ha...

Sanam Teri Kasam ( beloved i swear on you ) : A New Chapter Prologue: I always thought that if someone were to reincarnate, they'd become a villainess, a female lead, or at the very least, a side character. But when I woke up this morning, I found myself in a story I had just read the night before, a cliché romance titled "Sanam Teri Kasam." Yet, I wasn’t any of those typical roles. I wasn’t even sure if I could call this a reincarnation.

The chain broke the moment i stepped into the road One second, I was Anita Voss-CEO, perfectionist, pressure-hardened daughter of ambition. The next, I was flying through the air, blood soaking my blouse, a black cat trembling in my arms. I always imagined I'd die big. With flashing lights. Headlines. A legacy wrapped in gold. Instead, I died for a creature no one would remember but me. And that should've been the end. But fate doesn't know when to quit. Turns out, I was never the main character. Not even close. Just a stepping stone. A plot device. A disposable tragedy to boost someone else's story. Cute, right? But then-something cracked. Because that little twist? Me saving that cat? It broke the script. Now I've woken up in a world stitched with wood, stars, and magic. With talking cats , a silver-haired god who smirks like he knows all the spoilers, and a new name whispered into my bones: Vespera. another me,Different rules. Except this time, I'm not going down without rewriting a few pages. The plot still wants me dead? Let it try. I'm not here to play a role anymore. I'm here to break the plot's chain

Bisperas ng Bagong Taon. Habang abala ako sa paghahanda ng Handaan para sa Pista. Umuwi ang aking asawa kasama ang kanyang kabit na buntis. Siya'y umungol sa akin nang mabangis, "Isa ka lang maybahay na walang nagawa para tulungan ang aking karera. Ilang taon na tayong kasal at hindi ka pa rin mabuntis. Sa tingin mo karapat-dapat ka pa rin sa aking tahanan?" "Alam mo ba kung sino ang babaeng ito? Siya ang anak ni Gng. Thornton, ang pinakamayamang tao sa bansa. Magiging manugang ako ng pinakamayamang pamilya. Malayong-malayo 'yan sa iyong maliit na antas." "Kung alam mo ang makakabuti sa iyo, ayusin mo ang iyong mga gamit at umalis ka na. Magdidiborsiyo na tayo." Nagulat ako. Sa panahong ito, masama na nga kapag may umaagaw ng asawa. Ngayon pati pagkakakilanlan ay ninanakaw na rin nila? Paano nangyari na hindi ko alam na may isa pang anak ang aking ama?

Kamakailan, madalas na nangyayari ang mga kaso ng karahasan sa tahanan na humahantong sa kamatayan. Natuklasan ko na ang aking bagong kasal na asawa ay ang tagalikha ng mga tutorial sa pagpatay ng asawa online. Gayunpaman sa pang-araw-araw na buhay, napakabait niya, laging handang tumulong sa mga kapitbahay, at lubhang malambing sa akin. Habang ako'y nagtataka kung may taong gumagawa ng walang kuwentang biro, Nakipag-ugnayan sa akin ang matalik na kaibigan ng kanyang dating kasintahan, "Tumakbo ka! Mapang-abuso ang asawa mo. Umalis ka na ngayon din!" Ngumiti ako. Anong pagkakataon. Siya mismo ang uri ng taong hinahanap ko.

COMPLETED!!! -WARNING - ADULT AND MATURED SCENES WERE DEPICTED IN THIS BOOK In the game of love, these two players don't intend to win. *Dual POV:* *Richard Wellington's Story* Born with a weak heart, billionaire Richard Wellington has always shielded himself from love, fearing the risk of heartbreak. But when his parents insist he chooses a wife from a selection of 15 high-society candidates, Richard must confront his deepest fears. *Sofia Blake (Reed)'s Story* Fashion enthusiast Sofia Blake has been burned by love and believes it's a fool's game. Desperate to escape her cruel stepmother and evil stepsisters, Sofia accepts a job as Richard's personal assistant and judge for his wife search. But as she navigates the treacherous waters of high society, Sofia finds herself drawn to the one man she's supposed to resist. As Richard and Sofia work together, their initial disdain for each other slowly gives way to a forbidden attraction. But with their past heartaches and fears threatening to tear them apart, can they find a way to heal and open their hearts to each other? Will the Wellington Empire's legacy be secured, or will Richard and Sofia's love be the downfall of everything they hold dear?" What happens when these two individuals who hate each other and are unreceptive to love, starts growing feelings for each other?

A girl named Sali got a maroon plain-dull looking book for free from the old lady across the street. She doesn't know that the book is special. She was about to meet up with her friend, she took a short cut but she ended up at the dark alley. She was about to go back but it's too late. Two men were waiting for her, wanted to rob her, wanted to touch her. She tried to run and stopped when one of them stabbed her. It's was fate for her to get stabbed across the dark alley because a new life were waiting for her in a another world.

It was supposed to be no strings attached...no feelings...nothing. Sofia Ives is not the type to be in a relationship or fall in love. Matter of fact she doesn't believe in love...she thinks it doesn't exist. So she has series of lovers with nothing attached, till she met Creed Griffin...a handsome CEO who changes everything.

Welcome to The Crash Out Diary, a book that’s as messy, real, and unapologetically human as you are. This isn’t just a collection of thoughts—it’s your safe space. A no-judgment zone where we spill it all: the good, the bad, the ugly, and the downright chaotic. This is a diary for anyone who’s tired of faking perfect. It’s a place to confess, connect, and share your honest truths—like that time you cheated on your bestie with her boyfriend (because, hey, we’re all just human, right?). It’s for the ones who crave rawness in a world obsessed with filters. Through blunt reflections and unfiltered musings, The Crash Out Diary offers an open invitation to let it all out. Whether you’re battling your own demons, questioning the rules of the game, or just tired of pretending to care when you don’t—this book gets it. So, pull up a chair, let’s crash out together. No judgment. Just real talk. I just want to scream in here, hope that helps. This will be updated everyday because I'll just come here to scream. If you feel like talking to someone this is my discord: freda0517

Marshall Blackwood, the enigmatic CEO of Blackwood Enterprises, is a man who always gets what he wants. When he steps into an upscale bar for a late-night drink, he doesn't expect to be captivated by Sofia—a mysterious and seductive bartender with secrets behind her eyes. Intrigued and tempted, Marshall uses his wealth and influence to offer her a six-month contract: companionship, no strings attached. Sofia agrees, hiding her own reasons for stepping into his world of power and luxury. But as the line between business and emotion blurs, passion ignites into something neither of them planned. When the contract ends, Sofia vanishes without a word—leaving Marshall to confront the one thing he never anticipated: real love. Now, he’ll do anything to find her. Because for the first time in his life, Marshall Blackwood is chasing something money can’t buy. ---

Sofia, reeling from her fiancé Julian's infidelity with her step-sister Rachel, finds herself lost and heartbroken. In a whiskey-fueled night, she crosses paths with Liam, a mysterious and enigmatic figure from her past. As Sofia navigates her shattered heart, she awakens in Liam's estate, surrounded by memories of their complicated past. Regret and introspection overwhelm her as she realizes her mistakes and the depth of Liam's devotion. With a newfound understanding, Sofia seeks redemption and a second chance. But Liam's hurt feelings and guarded heart pose significant obstacles. Can Sofia make amends and reclaim their lost love, or will the scars of her past prove insurmountable?

“This is kidnapping! Let me out of here!” Sofia screamed, her voice echoing through the towering marble hallway of the mansion. Her once-pristine clothes were torn and dirt-streaked, a testament to her desperate attempts to escape the gilded prison that held her. Standing like a silent sentinel, the butler—Mr. Alfred—offered only a courteous bow. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Miss,” he said, his tone calm, yet unyielding. Sofia’s voice cracked as it rose again, thick with fear. “My mother is sick. She needs me—who’s going to take care of her?” From the far end of the hallway, cloaked in shadows, came a low, deliberate voice. “And here I thought you’d be more... fire than fear.” A figure emerged slowly from the dark—sharp suit, sharper eyes, and a presence that pulled the very air from the room. As sunlight hit his face, Sofia’s breath caught. She knew him. The arrogant man from the diner. The man she’d spoken to like he was just another rich brat. “You?” she spat. “What the hell is this? Revenge?” He stopped a few paces away, lips curling into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “For someone trapped in my home, you speak with remarkable boldness. But let me make something clear—you’re under my roof now. And here, you speak with respect.” There was something in his voice—cold, smooth, and dangerous. A predator circling its prey. But Sofia didn’t flinch. She stood taller, meeting his gaze with defiance. For the first time in a long while, someone wasn’t trembling before him... and that intrigued him. But he would break her. Slowly. Thoroughly. “Spare me the rich-man theatrics,” she snapped. “I don’t care who you are. I just want to go home.” His eyes darkened as he stepped closer, the air between them tightening like a noose. “You’re not going anywhere until your debt is paid.” She blinked. “What debt? I don’t owe you anything.” He leaned in, his voice a whisper laced with venom. “No... but your mother does. Two-point-five million dollars, if I’m not mistaken.” A pause. A cruel smirk. “I own the hospital now. So guess who holds the strings?” Sofia’s bravado faltered. Her mind raced. “What do you want? An apology?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. He chuckled. “An apology?” He stepped even closer, his breath grazing her skin. “I’m going to need much more than that... Fiore.” The way he said her last name froze her blood. That was when she realized—she wasn’t just in trouble. She was in his world now. And he never played fair.