LOGINSophia’s POVWhen he withdraws the handkerchief, I lift my lids and press my lips together, feeling sorry for putting him through this. Who falls sick on their honeymoon? Me.Alexander sits up. My eyes follow his movement. I form fists, sluggishly turning on the bed as I strain to get up.“You want to sit?” he asks.“Yeah.”“Okay, just hold on.”“Can you pass my glasses, please?”He moves, the bed pressing under his weight. Then, he places something beside me. “That’s the tissue box.”“Thank you.” I quickly drag out a long string of tissue paper, pluck them out, and use them to clean the mucus on my hands and nose.So much mess. So annoying. Alexander returns, takes the rumpled tissues from my grip to dispose of, then comes close. He slides his hand under my head, then carefully puts my glasses on my face. I see his precious face finally. So clearly. So beautiful. But strain is written all over his face, especially his dark eyes; they don’t sparkle like they used to, as if he hasn’
Sophia’s POVI’ve barely arranged myself when Alexander gets to my bed. He sets some things aside quickly—I hear the rustling of plastic bags—and climbs onto the platform, dropping onto my bed with his knees.My lips part as I breathe through my mouth. I try to rise, but I’m too torpid; he beats me to it, crawls closer, and leans over, stopping me while my elbows hold up my weight. My chest swells when he brings his face only a breath from mine. His heat cocoons me instantly. I catch a faint whiff of his scent; my stuffy nose blocks everything else out.“Hi, my love,” he mutters in my face, his breath warm and needed.I blink. Everything blurs, but my feelings are clear; my heart is fluttering.He wraps his hand behind me, helping me sit up. My body weighs heavier than usual, and I just want to sink back into bed.“How are you?”I open my mouth, but a hoarse sound comes out, so I clear my throat.“Sorry.”“You came back?” I manage a murmur.“Should I not have?” His voice is gentle and
Sophia’s POVI take off my glasses.“It’s okay…” Barbara comforts me, pulling me into her chest and gently stroking my head.“I don’t want to fight with him, but he’s just…” “It’s all right. It’s all right.” She continues, moving her soothing strokes to my back. “He loves you, okay.”“It’s hard to believe,” I mumble, even if I know he does, crying my heart out. “You should have seen him this morning… He was so unfair and unkind. He…” My nose runs. I drag everything back in with a deep breath.“It’s okay… It’s okay. Everything will be fine, little sister.”I sniffle one more time and pause, leaning on her with all my weight. She slides backward and puts her back against the headboard. My head is against her chest. Slowly, the tears run down my cheeks. Barbara places the box of tissues beside me and goes back to stroking my arm.Seconds pass, and they turn to minutes.It’s quiet. Only my sniffles echo between us. I wipe my nose and my tears as they fall.And Barbara breaks the silence,
Alexander’s POVMy jaw is set as I stroll back to the shared bedroom. I take my time, moving slowly. My hands slip inside the pockets of my long, leather coat while my mind replays what that fool said to my wife: ‘Your husband’s a fu–ing criminal.’ And I can’t help but worry about what’s going through her head.In spite of everything that’s happening between us, she still took my side in front of the insufferable Briton and returned his words to him. It was most shocking to see her like that; my wife would usually sulk in private or stay quiet. I guess she really does like me a lot.But now I wonder what she’ll think of my methods of dealing with inconveniences. Did I exploit my privileges and use my private jet to send him back to London against his wish, with a forged MEDIF and a doctor’s note stating he’s unstable and cleared for private medical transport back to his home country? Yeah.Is it a crime?The law says it is.Am I a criminal? No. I only did what I had to do to get h
Alexander’s POV“Alexander?” My wife calls, stopping me just before I step down from the platform raising the bed. I turn over my shoulder, staring at her pale face. She blinks sluggishly and puts her hand out. “Where are you going?” Her voice cracks.“To see who’s at the door,” I answer, clenching my jaw as I bend over to take her hand. Images of that Briton stealing glances at her breasts at the Thorne Foundation 50th anniversary party and touching her every chance he got play in my head. After bundling him back to his motherland, he must not have learned his lesson.After a kiss on her hand, I rise and step down from the platform, cracking my knuckles as I move.“Alexander, wait,” Soph calls softly.“I’ll be right back, my love,” I say and walk past Barbara. “Barbara, please stay with her.”“And where are you going, looking so upset? Who is he?”“Barbara?” I hear my wife croak.Barbara gets off my back. My strides are fast. In no time, I disappear into the living room, my wife’s
Alexander’s POVMy jaw tightens, my brows flicking up. I release a long breath, twist my mouth, and watch the notification disappear. I swallow hard, thinking for a second. It’s not unusual to hang out and talk with Lewis, but since my wedding announcement, our relationship hasn’t been the same. We don’t chat or text anymore. He didn’t stay for the after-party after my wedding. He didn’t congratulate me or interact with any of the pictures Barbara sent to the group chat. I wonder what he wants to talk about.Cracking my neck, I swipe my thumb across the screen, open the chatting app, and tap on his message. I type a response.Me: {Do you want to go out for drinks?}He reads it instantly.My brows twitch. He starts to type. For some reason, my chest tightens with unease.Lewis: {You can drink if you want. I’ll be sober.}I work my jaw, run a palm over my hair before responding.Me: {Okay.}Lewis: {Congratulations on getting the girl. Sorry it’s coming late.}My brows jump, my pulse qu
Sophia’s POVHe’s got nipple piercings, a back half-full of tattoos, smokes cigars, swore never to get married, but says he’s marrying me in October.I’m the first woman he’s invited into his penthouse and bedroom; he kisses like a sinner and promises to show me things I can’t handle yet. He lies ef
Alexander Thorne’s POVPhone in hand, I tap a slow rhythm against the steering wheel, my gaze fixed on the pristine lineup of cars in my private garage. My mind is elsewhere.Dimitri left thirty-five minutes ago. I sent Garvey home, too, yet I’ve been seated inside the darkness of this car, waiting.
Sophia’s POVHe breaks our kiss, hands going still on my thighs. I lock gaze with him, seeing how dark and dilated his pupils have turned. He’s panting just as I am, looking unusually unsettled. His face is frozen—an expression of shock I don’t miss. My body trembles, but I shake my head weakly, l
Sophia’s POV“It’s a guest bedroom,” he says, rolling the strap of my purse around his knuckles. I stare at my purse, mouth dry and open. I don’t know if it’s shock from learning that I’m spending the night in his bedroom or from having my purse snatched from me. My phone, my money, my passport—all







