06

Sophia's POV

★ The Carters’ Family House ★

† 5:00 PM

The sound of the paper hitting the table felt louder than a gunshot.

“Just sign it, Sophia.”

I flinched.

My eyes dropped to the contract, then slowly lifted back to my father’s face.

My throat tightened so badly I almost choked on my own breath.

“What?” My voice cracked. “Really, Dad? You agreed to this behind my back?”

“Behind your back?” He leaned forward, elbows on the table, his voice dropping. “You know about this, Soph.”

“Don’t call me that.” I said,my hands curling into fists. My whole body started shaking.

“Don’t fucking call me that.”

His brows furrowed in confusion, but the words were already pouring out of me, hot and broken.

“The man who calls me that is a sweet, loving father. The kind who promised to protect me every second of my life.” My voice shattered. “I don’t even recognize you anymore. Why would you do this to me?”

I’d never cussed at my family before.

Never.

But something inside me snapped.

There was no room left to breathe or even think.

“I’m sorry, Sophia…” His voice sounded in a way I've never heard, and for a second, I almost believed him. “I didn’t just decide this. I did it for your good. I couldn’t give you the life you deserve—”

“No!” I slammed my palms on the table, tears spilling freely now. “Don’t lie to me. This isn’t for my good. You’re doing this for yourself.”

I laughed bitterly, pointing at the paper.

“You want me to marry some arrogant, spoiled billionaire I barely even know for ‘my own good’ ? Are you hearing yourself? Are you fucking listening to yourself , Andrew!”

His mouth fell open.

None of us—his children had ever called him by his name.

I instantly wished i could swallow back my words.

He leaned in, his voice dropping more into something cold and unfamiliar.

“Sophia, watch your tongue. I’m doing you a favour. Don’t disrespect me.”

“b-but..”

“Shh.” He cut me off sharply. “No buts. I’m not doing this debate with you. I’ve already signed my part. They’re waiting on yours.”

He shoved the contract into my trembling hands.

It felt heavy.

Too heavy.

Like I was holding the mount everest—no, heavier, like my whole future was crushing my palms.

My eyes blurred as I read it again.

And again.

Every word stabbed deeper.

Then I saw it.

Dad's signature.

Right there on the betrothal agreement.

It felt like I’d stabbed my own heart just by looking at it.

I swallowed hard, trying to stop the tears, trying to breathe, trying not to fall apart right there on the floor.

I opened my mouth.

Nothing came out.

“But you promised me,” I sobbed when my voice finally returned. “You promised you’d never force me into anything. You said you’d always support me. You said dancing was enough—”

“Enough?” He cut in sharply. “Sophia, let’s be honest. Do you think dancing will pay the bills? Do you think spinning on a stage will buy back this house?”

He scoffed.

“Some dreams are nothing but fantasies.”

My heart dropped.

Is this my father?

The same man who sat in the audience clapping for me?

Who wiped my tears after failed auditions and tell me there's always another chances?

So he never believed in me.

Not once.

So all those were lies.

My hand flew to my chest like my heart might fall out.

“I can’t believe you have no faith in me…” My voice shook. “So you’ve been deceiving me all along? Why? I can’t believe these words are coming from you.”

I wiped my burning eyes and straightened my shoulders.

“Listen to me, Father.” My voice hardened. “Return everything the Blackwoods gave you. Because I, Sophia Carter, would rather die poor than be sold like an object.”

I flung the paper at him.

“You’re not being sold,” he snapped. “Stop being dramatic!”

I saw it then.

“You call my actions dramatic. Oh, why don't you stop been a coward and fucking reject the proposal in their face. You are a coward!”

“SOPHIA!” he shouted.

“I hate you!”

Before I could control it, my hand grabbed the glass cup and flung it.

It missed him by inches, hitting the wall and scattering into millons of pieces—just like my heart.

“I did this for you,” he whispered, breaking. “I had no other choice…”

But I didn't listen.

I couldn't.

My chest felt too tight.

The room felt too small.

Without another word, I turned and ran.

I didn’t even look at Lisa standing there with tears in her eyes.

I just ran.

******

Outside

The wind slapped my face as I ran.

Tears streamed freely down my cheeks.

My legs moved faster than my thoughts.

My lungs burned and my heart pounded like it wanted to escape my chest.

Why me?

Why choose me?

Because Lisa chose school and I chose dance?

I thought he was happy with me, so he was quietly wishing I stopped dancing?

Millions of thoughts blurred together in my mind as I ran.

I didn’t see the road.

I didn’t hear the car.

Not until—

A loud honk, followed by a screech.

I froze.

A black car stopped inches from my body.

“Oh my God,” I gasped, stumbling back.

The door flew open.

A woman in a red designer dress stepped out, her heels clicking like gunshots.

“You blind little rat!” she yelled. “Are you trying to die or just stupid?”

“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered.

“You almost damaged my car with that dirty body!”

Something inside me snapped.

“You almost hit me, bitch. Watch your speed!”

Her face twisted. “I don’t blame you. What do I expect from a suicidal slut?”

I smiled.

Not because it was funny.

Because I was done.

I wiped my tears and spat right on her car.

She screamed, kneeling dramatically “My baby!”

I ran while sticking out my tongue, she tried chasing me but those nails aka shoes that she's gotten on won't let her.

****

Immediately the door opened, I collapsed into his arms.

“Sophia?” His voice shook. “What happened?”

“They’re making me marry someone,” I sobbed. “He sold me like I’m nothing.”

“You’re not nothing,” Jordan whispered, holding me tight. “Never say that.”

“I can’t do this.”

“You’ve got me,” he said softly. “They can’t force you, right?

“He's doing it now, Dad is making me marry some rich brat. He's signed the betrothal agreement.”

“Oh that's really tough.” He muttered.

“You see.”

“So what are you going to do now?” JORDAN asked.

“I don't know honestly, marrying him mean I'd get to live the rest of my life miserably. I might also have to stop dancing.”

“Oh no…what if you elope? I can help.” His eyes glittered as he talked and my head fell backwards in laugher.

Jordan has never changed.

I still remember when we met when we were ten .

I was very furious having the most annoying boy in class as my dance partner.

But look where we are now….one of the closest best friends no doubt.

“I'm just suggesting.” He rolled his eyes

“That's dumb. If I leave, my family will be at the danger of been wrecked completely, the Blackwoods are evil.”

“So what now?” He asked.

“I don't know” I shrugged ,staring at the setting sun.

*****

Ethan’s POV

Everything was gone.

Cars.

Houses.

Even Money!

My banks are Frozen.

Three nights ago, strangers carried furniture out of my mansion.

My own damn house.

Now I am stuck here, at Theo's penthouse.

I grabbed the vase and smashed it against the wall.

“FUCK!”

“Just sign it, sir,” the lawyer whispered, shivering.

With glare directed at the trembling lawyer, I grabbed the pen.

I didn’t want this.

But I had no choice.

I signed..

Pressing the one hard against the paper.

Hard enough to leave a tear.

“Thank you.” The lawyer bowed.

“GET OUT” before I completed my sentence, he was at the door.

I heard him fall and scream on his way out.

“This is a fucking trap!” I cried pulling on my hair.

Marriage?

I'm gonna be fucking husband to some poor gentle girl.

Oh Jesus!

I was about throwing another vase.

Then—

“Ethan?”

It was Vanessa.

She walked in, visibly furious, and tossed her bag on the table. “Some psycho girl nearly jumped in front of my car today. I swear, people these days—”

Her voice stopped when she saw the mess.

Her eyes widened in horror, “What the hell happened here?”

“Get out, Vanessa,”

I growled,breathing so heavily.

“I was just—”

“I SAID GET OUT!”

She flinched but she didn’t move.

Instead, she stepped forward. “Ethan, talk to me—”

Something snapped in me and befire I know it, I turned,grabbed her by the waist, and shoved her hard against the wall.

“Ethan!” she gasped, but my mouth was already on hers.

I kissed— no bit her lips and chew on them as hard as he could.

All I was feeling was pain and I was ready to let everything out on her.

I pushed and pinned her down the couch,ripping off her clothes,my hands grabbed her boobs,he gave them a,very long and hard squeeze.

“Ahhhh” Vanessa screamed in horror.

She tried to escape but I wasn't letting go.

My left hand wrapped around her neck,squeezing air out her while my right fingers went into her torn panties___I slid four of my fingers into her cunt,shoving them in and out with all the strength I've got.

I leaned forward and took her left tit in my mouth,biting it hard.

I released her trying to calm myself but her trying to escape through the door triggered the monster in Mr.

I grabbed her arms,and slammed her face right into the wall.

“ahhh..” Vanessa shierk but I doesn't care.

I pinned her chest right on the wall and slammed my dick right into her butt hole.

My hand wrspped around her hair, pulling her head backwards.

I threw my head backwards as I felt the overwhelming rush of rage and frustration.

After few strokes,I finally came into his senses and realized she wasn’t responding.

My heart jumped out of my mind when I pulled out of her and she fell to the floor—limp.

The trail of her blood drew a straight line on the wall.

What have I done?

“Vanessa___”I shouted