Chapter 6 – Married

Sophia's POV

I woke up the next day feeling weak and drained. The pain in my heart was too much for me to bear. I still can't believe that I had lost my child, my sister was in prison, and the world believed I was dead.

They didn't question the lies, they didn't wait for the truth, they simply decided. And in that moment, I realized justice doesn't exist for people who have no power.

I understood that I couldn't fight them alone, not with a ruined name. If I want them to pay, I need to become someone they couldn't silence. What I needed was power, and if marrying Marcus was the price of that power, then I would pay it.

I turned my head slightly and saw Marcus sleeping beside me, his head resting awkwardly on the edge of the bed. I gently adjusted it so he could sleep more comfortably.

He caught my hand before I could pull away.

"You're awake," He said slowly.

He straightened up and said, "Do you feel okay? Should I call the doctor?"

I looked at him without saying a word. Even though he had the same face as the man who ruined me, I still don't know why I felt safe with him.

"I'll get married to you," I said, my voice steady as I met his gaze.

"What?" He asked, with shock flashing across his face.

"I said," I repeated calmly, "let's get married."

The silence after my words stretched between us.

Marcus didn't speak, he just watched me.

"You don't have to get married to me if you don't want to," he finally said.

"I want to," I replied calmly. "But only on my terms."

His jaw tightened slightly. "Then tell me your conditions."

I took a slow breath, steadying myself. This wasn't a proposal, it was a contract.

"First," I said, my voice firm, "this marriage is strictly business, no love and no romance should come between us. We'll live as husband and wife in name only. We'll share a last name, power, and common enemy, nothing else.”

Something flickered in his eyes, but he didn't interrupt, he just nodded.

"Secondly," I continued, "you'll never touch me, unless I allow you to.

Thirdly, my past stays mine, your past stays yours, nobody should dig into anybody's past." I said.

"Okay," he responded immediately.

"There's more," I added sadly. "You need to protect my sister, I don't care what it'll cost you, but you need to, she's the only one I have left, if anything happens to her this marriage means nothing."

He leaned forward, "I already plan to protect her, you've my word."

I studied his face for a long moment, searching for deception, pity or control, but I found none.

"Lastly," I said quietly, "if either of us starts to feel something we shouldn't feel, we walk away from it."

He swallowed hard, before saying, "agreed.”

I exhaled slowly. "Then we're cleared."

Marcus stood up and extended a handshake.

"Business partner," he said.

I placed my hand in his, "business partner," I echoed.

******

A week passed quietly. I stared at my reflection in the mirror across the room. The bandages are gone now, leaving a face that's not entirely mine. My cheekbone is a little higher and the curve on my jaw is now sharper.

My chest hurts every time I think of Alessia behind bars. But pain wasn't the same thing as regret.

If Alessia was free, Mattoe wouldn't hesitate to finish her. He'd silence her the way he tried to silence me.

Marcus had promised me one thing, that she's safe as long as she's in custody, no one will touch her. And for the first time since everything shattered I believed someone, not because he asked me to, but because he's proven it.

This wasn't the life I wanted for my sister, but it wasn't a life sentence either. I would carry this guilt if it meant she'll stay alive and be safe, till I figure out how to destroy the people who put her there.

The door opened softly behind me, but I didn't turn.

"Marcus," I said quietly. "I don't want that name anymore. They buried Sophia already, and I can't fight them bearing that name again.

I finally turned to face him.

"If I'm going to walk back into that world, "it won't be as the woman they broke." I said.

He went into a prolong silence before he finally spoke. "What name do u want?" He asked gently.

I looked back at the mirror. At the stranger staring calmly back at me.

"From today, Sophia is dead.” I said, my voice firm and final.

“My name is now Astrid.” I exhaled slowly, like I'd been holding my breath for years.

Marcus, tilted his head towards me, “No problem if that's what you want. Shall we?” He asked, extending his hand. "Or we'll be late for our wedding."

I took his hand, and we left the room together.

Adrian was already waiting for us outside. We got into the car and drove straight to the courthouse.

The ceremony took less than ten minutes, names were spoken, papers were signed and a stamp sealed it all.

We collected our marriage certificate, and by the time we walked out, I was no longer Sophia. I was now Astrid Vitale.