The Guilded Cage

Sophia ~

I spent the night in the guest room with the door locked.

Alexander had finally released my wrist after I'd threatened to scream loud enough to wake the entire building. He'd stood there, watching me with those cold gray eyes, before turning and walking away without another word.

But I knew him. I knew that silence meant he was planning something.

Morning light filtered through the curtains as I sat on the edge of the bed, my phone clutched in trembling hands. The contact name glowed on the screen: “Rebecca —Divorce Attorney”.

My cousin had recommended her. "Discreet," Rebecca Chen had said. "Specializes in high-profile cases."

I pressed the call button before I could lose my nerve.

"Sophia Wyndham?" A crisp, professional voice answered on the second ring. "I've been expecting your call."

Twenty minutes later, I had an appointment scheduled for that afternoon. Twenty minutes after that, I was standing in my walk-in closet, correction, the closet Alexander had built for me, filled with designer clothes I'd never asked for, trying to find something that felt like “me”.

Everything here belonged to Mrs. Alexander Wyndham. The socialite. The trophy wife.

I wanted to find the old Sophia again.

"Going somewhere?"

I spun around. Alexander stood in the doorway, already dressed in one of his custom suits, looking every inch the billionaire CEO. His hair was perfectly styled, his expression unreadable.

"Out." I pulled a simple black dress from the rack. "I have an appointment."

"Cancel it."

My hands stilled. "Excuse me?"

"Cancel it," he repeated, stepping into the closet. The space suddenly felt suffocating. "We need to talk about last night."

"There's nothing to talk about." I moved to push past him, but he blocked my path.

"Sophia, you can't possibly be serious about divorce."

"I've never been more serious about anything in my life."

His jaw clenched. "I won't allow it."

"You won't allow it?" I stared at him, incredulous. "Alexander, this isn't a business merger you can veto. This is my life."

"It's “our” life." He caught my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You're my wife. You made vows."

"Vows you never intended to keep." I jerked away from his touch. "Tell me, Alexander, when exactly were you planning to forsake all others? Before or after your next coffee date with Elena?"

Something flickered in his eyes. Guilt? Anger? I couldn't tell anymore.

"Elena has nothing to do with this."

"Elena has everything to do with this." My voice cracked despite my best efforts. "She has your heart. She has the part of you that you'll never give me. And I'm done pretending that's enough."

"I've given you everything"

"Everything but yourself!" I pushed past him, my heart racing. "God, Alexander, how many times do I have to say it? I don't want your money or your name or your protection. I want you and since you can't give me that, I want my freedom."

I made it three steps before his hand closed around my arm, spinning me back.

"You're not leaving me." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Do you understand? I don't care what papers you file or what lawyers you hire. You're mine, Sophia. You became mine two years ago, and nothing is going to change that."

The possessiveness in his tone should have terrified me. Instead, it ignited something bitter and painful in my chest.

"I was never yours," I said quietly. "You can't own something you never wanted in the first place."

His grip tightened fractionally. "Who said I didn't want you?"

"You did. Every single day of our marriage." I pulled free, grabbing my purse. "Now let me go, or I swear I'll call security."

"They work for me."

"Then I'll call the police."

"And tell them what? That your husband doesn't want you to leave?" His smile was cold. "We both know how that sounds, Sophia."

He was right. Billionaire CEO trying to keep his wife from leaving, the media would paint me as a gold digger having second thoughts. My family would be humiliated.

Grandfather William.

Oh God, what would this do to Grandfather William?

Alexander saw the moment I wavered. "Think about my grandfather," he said softly. "Think about what this would do to him. He loves you, Sophia. This would break his heart."

"That's not fair." Tears pricked my eyes. "You can't use him against me."

"I'm not using anyone. I'm stating facts." He straightened his tie, his businessman mask sliding back into place. "Now, cancel your appointment. Stay home today. Rest. We'll discuss this when you're thinking more clearly."

"I am thinking clearly"

"Sophia." His tone brooked no argument. "Cancel. The. Appointment."

We stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills. Finally, I pulled out my phone and dialed Rebecca's number.

"Ms. Chen?" I kept my eyes on Alexander. "I need to reschedule our meeting."

Alexander's expression remained neutral, but I saw the satisfaction flash in his eyes.

I ended the call and looked at my husband, this stranger I'd married, this man who refused to love me but wouldn't let me go.

"This isn't over," I whispered.

"No," he agreed, buttoning his jacket. "It's not. Because we're not getting divorced, Sophia. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for both of us."

He left for the office minutes later, and I stood alone in our penthouse, staring at my reflection in the window.

Mrs. Alexander Wyndham. Trapped in a gilded cage.

But cages, I decided, could be escaped.

I just needed a better plan.