Chapter Four

Sophia's POV

Sleeping in this bed…in this house, with the enemy was one of the hardest things I had to do.

Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was Nikolai’s face, and all I could hear was his voice haunting my every thought. 

There was no way in hell I would have his child, but that meant I would have to lose my father, or at least whatever was left of him.

The sun was about to come, and I was sick of being in this bed, as luxurious as it was, all I wanted was my own bed back. I found a silk robe hanging in the closet, probably intended for me, so I wrapped it tightly around my body before walking out of the guest room. 

To think that a week ago, I was about to start a new job. My dream job, and my first big girl job after college. Maybe my life would have been different if I had taken the job, travelled across states, instead of staying back to take care of my father. 

As I walked down the never-ending stairs, I could hear my steps echo; that’s how quiet the house was.

As I veered towards the kitchen entrance, disappointment sank in the second my eyes landed on Nikolai.

He had his sleeves rolled up. Why did he always have to do that? He was seated by the marble island, drinking a cup of coffee, while reading something on a tablet.

I rolled my eyes at how comfortable he seemed. He had just uprooted my life, and he was sipping coffee like it was just another Monday morning.

“You’re up early.” He said without looking up. “Hungry?”

“I’m not hungry.” 

He lifted his head, gently placing the tablet down. His dark eyes took me in slowly. “Mira will be down shortly.” He said. Sensing my confusion, he continued, “She’s my housekeeper.”

“I said I wasn’t hungry.”

“You will be. You’re going to need all the strength you can get.”

My stomach twisted into knots. “We need to talk.” I said with a heavy breath in, “About last night.” I was hoping to appeal to his human senses. He had to have that, right?”

“What’s there to talk about?” He asked, dropping the coffee mug on the counter.

“How can you sit there like any of this is okay?” My hands moved frantically.

He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “If I wasn’t clear enough. Let me explain how this works. You give me an heir, or I collect what your father owes me.”

I let out a scoff, “You mean you will take his life?” I asked, “What kind of monster are you?”

“I don’t know, why don’t we ask your father?”

“I’m not some cow you can breed.” I snapped, “I am a person!” 

“You stopped being a person the moment your father let you go. Notice how he hasn’t tried to get you back?” His words cut deeper than a knife, but he was right. “And I’m not a monster, Soph. You will have everything you could need. Protection. Comfort. That’s way more than your drunken father ever gave you.”

“Don’t you dare talk about my father.”

He smiled so casually. Almost like my crashout was his entertainment.

“How about you have a seat?” He said, nodding towards one of the empty stools beside him.

“I’d rather not.”

He let out a quiet sigh and walked towards me slowly. He stopped about one foot away, and I tilted my head to meet his eyes.

“Follow me.” He leaned in smoothly before zooming out of the kitchen. 

After hesitating for a second, I followed him into what seemed to be a study.

He walked behind the wide desk, taking out a cream colored envelope from the top drawer. 

“I had my lawyer draft this up after our conversation last night.” He said, “Let’s just say, you inspired me.”

“What is it?” I asked, dreading the answer.

He held it out to me, “Why don’t you see for yourself?”

I snatched it away, my hands trembled as I opened it, and I couldn’t believe the words staring back at me as I unraveled the papers.

Marriage Contract. 

My heart fell.

“That is a legally binding marriage agreement.” He said calmly, like it was no big deal. 

I couldn’t breathe.

“Once you sign, we could have a little wedding ceremony. You become my wife.” He said like he was counting one to three. 

I threw the papers in his face till they thumped lightly on the ground. “You’re insane if you think I’ll sign this.”

“Oh, Soph.” He made a tsk sound as he sauntered towards me. “Don’t you get it? You already agreed to be mine when you walked out of your father’s house.”

My eyes scanned his, hoping to find some semblance of humanity. 

I found nothing.

“You can’t.” I responded shakily, “You can’t make me do this.”

“You sign, your father lives. It’s that simple.”

“Why?” I whispered, I could feel it all. The anger, the tears pooling in my eyes, all of it.

“We have been over this.” He folded his arms. “Your father took something from me, and now. I get to take something back.”

“You want me to sleep with you. Marry you, and have your baby as part of a contract?”

“Not in that exact order.” He teased, “But yeah.”

He was a psychopath. A monster. My nostrils flared up, and all I wanted to do was slap him in the face. But I couldn’t, I knew what he was capable of.

“You have until midnight to sign. I urge you to think carefully. Your father’s pathetic life depends on it.”

I couldn’t move. It was like I was plastered to the floor in shock. 

“You can go now.” He said. 

I turned around slowly. My feet are too heavy to carry. 

“One more thing.” He said, and I stopped in my tracks without looking back. I couldn’t let him see me cry.

“If you sign, or should I say…when you sign.” There it was again, the slimy amusement in his voice. “We won’t be sleeping in separate rooms. You sleep in my bed…you know? For optics.” 

I felt a lump lodge in my throat. I couldn’t breathe.

How was this my life? I had to marry a monster. Give him an heir. Or watch my father die.