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Chapter 23

Author: Ben Jakes
last update Last Updated: 2025-07-10 08:05:08

Colder Walls, Colder Hearts

Sophia's POV.

“Dress up for a charity gala tomorrow,” Alexander said sharply one morning, his tone brooking no discussion.

The words caught me off guard. I was momentarily stunned, lost in thought. Alexander—who had grown cold and distant, treating me more like a stranger than a wife—now wanted me to accompany him to a public event? The idea was so unexpected that I didn’t respond immediately.

My mouth parted slightly in disbelief as I looked up to meet his eyes. “A charity gala?” I repeated, unsure if I’d heard him correctly, needing to be certain I hadn’t misunderstood.

But instead of answering, he turned and walked away, pride radiating from his posture like armor.

He didn’t tolerate questions anymore—not even from his wife. Even harmless feedback from housemaids often earned scorn if he perceived it as a challenge to his authority. The man who once held me with tenderness had become a ruler in his own home—a man driven by ego, ruling over silence and fe
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  • BOUND BY DECEPTION    Chapter 25

    Public Humiliation.Sophia’s POV.The beautiful scent of the perfume Alexander was applying to his body greeted my nose the moment I woke up. I yawned widely, stretching out my hand. I really had a good sleep last night which amazed me despite the pain I nursed in my heart before I fell asleep.I saw him applying the perfumes all over his body. "Dress quickly, Sophia. We’re leaving for the gala." He told me. His words sounded like nothing to my ears before I processed again to my understanding.My eyes widened in shock. “A gala? When?” I snapped, whipping my head in his direction. I tried to rise from the chair, but my body betrayed me—my strength faltering as if the weight of his words had pinned me down.“I informed you about a charity gala a few weeks ago, why are you pretending you didn't know anything?” He scolded me with a harsh tone as if I am acting intentionally that I am not aware of. I remembered that he truly mentioned a gala some time ago as the screen flashed through

  • BOUND BY DECEPTION    Chapter 24

    Domestic Humiliation.Sophia's POV.“Sophia, I'm exhausted,” Alexander's voice beamed as he stormed the living room unexpectedly, marching inside with his briefcase on his hand and his suit on the other hand. “Prepare the table for me!” He added and it caught me off guard. He walked toward the stairs and started climbing without looking at me or even giving me a proper greeting–just the usual cold, calculating and emotional distance.His shoes clicked softly against the polished floor as he was climbing. I turned to him. I swallowed the lump that recently formed in my throat. “But you said I shouldn't cook for you. You've a cook for a reason.”I fixed my eyes on him till he faded off of my sight. I know that he heard what I said but refused to answer. I sat down brooding what he just said as he entered. It really surprised me. I masked the pain and problem he was giving me to cook for him. I stood up, and strode toward the kitchen but I almost bumped into his chef on the door of th

  • BOUND BY DECEPTION    Chapter 23

    Colder Walls, Colder HeartsSophia's POV.“Dress up for a charity gala tomorrow,” Alexander said sharply one morning, his tone brooking no discussion.The words caught me off guard. I was momentarily stunned, lost in thought. Alexander—who had grown cold and distant, treating me more like a stranger than a wife—now wanted me to accompany him to a public event? The idea was so unexpected that I didn’t respond immediately.My mouth parted slightly in disbelief as I looked up to meet his eyes. “A charity gala?” I repeated, unsure if I’d heard him correctly, needing to be certain I hadn’t misunderstood.But instead of answering, he turned and walked away, pride radiating from his posture like armor.He didn’t tolerate questions anymore—not even from his wife. Even harmless feedback from housemaids often earned scorn if he perceived it as a challenge to his authority. The man who once held me with tenderness had become a ruler in his own home—a man driven by ego, ruling over silence and fe

  • BOUND BY DECEPTION    Chapter 22

    His Cold demeanour.Sophia's POV.“Oh my God!” I screamed, my voice echoing off the bathroom walls as my eyes locked on the strange woman standing in the doorway. I had never seen her before in my life.A wave of guilt and humiliation crashed over me. My body froze, drenched and exposed. I immediately looked down, too overwhelmed to meet her gaze.With trembling hands, I tugged my towel lower, trying to stretch it down to cover my thighs—even though I knew it would never fully reach. My right hand clutched the top of the towel tightly, yanking it upward to shield my bare chest.I barely noticed Alexander dashing out of the bathroom—likely chasing after her. My heart pounded, anxiety flooding me.“I hope no one else is out there,” I muttered under my breath.Gathering what courage I had left, I opened the bathroom door slowly and peeked out. I was certain the bedroom was empty, but the fear that incident planted in me clung tightly, wrapping around my thoughts like a noose.I stepped i

  • BOUND BY DECEPTION    Chapter 21

    Sudden Comeback.Victoria’s POV.I sat seething with rage, my eyes fixed on the glowing screen of my phone. Wedding pictures of Alexander and Sophia stared back at me, each swipe deepening the burn in my chest. Their smiles, their perfect poses—it felt like a personal insult. I scrolled through more photos from the ceremony, each one a dagger.A loud hiss slipped from my lips as I shook my head, the pain sharp and raw.“They think they can just toss me aside,” I growled through clenched teeth, still rooted to the couch. “But I’m coming for them… like a thief in the night—when they least expect it.”“Who are you talking to?”My younger sister, Eva, asked, her voice laced with concern as she sipped tea from a white mug. She looked at me, confused.I shot her a hard glance. “Why are you pretending like you don’t know what’s going on?” I snapped, my voice rising with each word, edged in accusation.Eva’s brows furrowed. She lowered her mug and gently placed it on the table between us. A b

  • BOUND BY DECEPTION    Chapter 20

    His tempting approach.Sophia's POVI turned away from him, fury tightening in my chest as his words pressed down on me like a weight I couldn’t shake off.“Nonsense?” I hissed under my breath, the word bitter on my tongue as I marched upstairs.It was already evening, and I knew I needed something to eat before retiring to bed. But first—more than anything—I needed a shower. The entire day had been draining: from the chaos of the wedding, to the heavy conversations, to the emotional weight of my mother’s illness. And then… the brief but bruising altercation with Alex.I entered the room and shut the door behind me, exhaling as if I’d been holding my breath all day.“I really need to shower,” I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.My eyes drifted toward the mirror, and I paused. There I was—my reflection staring back at me.But I looked different. Unrecognizable, almost. My hair was messy, my makeup smudged, my posture heavy with exhaustion. So unlike the radiant bride I had seen

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