ANMELDENNarrator’s POV~Several years ago: 11.11.02 (yy.mm.dd)~Broken, confused, depressed, and so far away from home, having been tossed out of the only home he’s ever known, eighteen-year-old Joel Thorne walked ahead on the deserted road, earphones plugged in, and backpack strapped to his shoulders. Freshman year had begun two months ago.No friends, no close family members, especially his favorites—Hannah and little Christian. No Dad, whom he loved and always struggled to please yet failed miserably at it every time, or his graceful mom, though kind, always supported Dad in punishing him. Home was tough—constant bullying in high school for being an introvert, a weakling, and for being tardy, getting locked up, starving, and told to pray for several hours in the prayer room because his failures or mistakes were as a result of some hidden sin in his life, getting compared to other kids every time, and separation from his siblings for days for drawing and painting in secret instead of stud
☆⁓Author’s Note⁓☆My most treasured readers, this is the final chapter in the first part of the book. I love you all.~~~Sophia’s POVGasping, I shut my thighs. Alexander moves quickly, withdraws his hand, and palms his other hand over my mouth. My heart is in my throat as we both stare out the window next to us.“Sophia?” My mom’s voice echoes. “Where did she go?”My eyes spread with horror. In a blink, we watch her walk past the window, looking everywhere else but where we are. Even when she’s gone, we don’t move. Her footsteps echo. My widened eyes keep darting. “Hello, Mrs. Rose.” Hannah’s happy voice reaches our ears. “Also looking for Joel, too…” she says. But soon their voices fade. It’s quiet again.Alexander stares at me.I tremble. I’m probably white from shock. I can’t begin to imagine the horror on her face if she’d seen—Wait a minute.We’re married. Alexander nods as if he’s read my thoughts. And at the same time, laughter spews out of our mouths. I bend over, head ag
Sophia’s POVAlexander pushes the door open and strolls in, with me coming behind him. This is where he took the bottle of water from. I press my lips together and form a fist as I go in, my head wondering what he wants to do with me. I step aside for him to shut the door.It’s somewhat dark. Only the light from the hallway on the other side of the room reflects through the windows. There’s a snooker table close to the windows.He pulls me in, moving deeper into the room. My heart just pounds. My head imagines every possible thing. And finally, we stop in the middle of the room. I can tell.He lets go of me and says, “Spin for me. Please,” There’s a smile in his voice.Heat creeps up my neck and cheeks, and a smile spreads on my lips. “Why?”“Because I want to see it.”“You can’t see anything in here.”“Please,”I chuckle and push my fingers through my hair. “Is that why you brought me here?”“Want me to go down on my knees?”“No, no,” I answer, giggling as I move closer to him. “Oka
Sophia’s POVNow outside, it gets quieter and colder the further I walk. The petals stop just before another bend, and a faint smell of tobacco mixed with that familiar clean scent wafts into my nostrils.I knew it.An instant smile is pushed to my lips. I take the bend and pause for a moment to stare. My heart beats faster.Standing a few steps away against a pillar, his broad back to me, my new husband has his head bent over, looking occupied with something. He’s gotten rid of his tuxedo suit and is just in his black waistcoat now. A cloud of smoke forms in front of his face before he drops his left hand. He’s smoking his precious cigar.It’s the last Friday of the month. Butterflies rise in my stomach, yet I tiptoe and move toward him. He shifts. I see he’s using his phone, scrolling through social media. Just before he looks over his shoulder, I wrap my arms around him from the back and inhale deeply, soaking in his warmth and scent. My eyes close. My head rests on his back.He h
Narrator’s POVCameras flash from every angle, capturing this significant moment.Alexander stands beside Sophia, placing his right hand over her left as they cut a piece of cake together. Next, he feeds her a small piece, and she does the same.It’s almost time for their dance. But before then, it’s time to play the wedding shoe game.Guests get excited as Sophia and Alexander take to the center, seated back-to-back. Alexander takes off one of his shoes, and Sophia does the same, then they swap.Scott is doing the honors. He moves to them, questions in his hand. And for the first question, he asks, “Who made the first move?”Without thinking, Sophia’s hand goes up, raising Alexander’s shoe for everyone to see. She giggles. Guests clap and cheer.“Who is the better cook?”Alexander pauses, eyes rolling to a corner to peek at Sophia. They’ve never gotten around to discussing deeper interests, but—Sophia raises Alexander’s shoe again. The laughter echoing in the hall tells him she chos
Narrator’s POV~The wedding Reception~‘The Reception: Welcome to Alexander and Sophia Thorne’s Rose Gardenscape’It’s the first thing you see right before you step into the gigantic hall.In a hall so massive that it can seat thousands of people, a live band plays in the center of everything. Dignitaries—royalty, government officials, religious leaders, corporate executives—all troop in, one by one, with expected entourages. And jaws fall to the floor.It’s like stepping into a magical rose garden. Warm lights illuminate the hall. Peach velvety curtains drape the tall walls, dazzling in sparkly champagne gold. Suspended in clouds, diamonds drop from the ceiling like rain. White and pink roses bloom in every nook, cranny, and corner. The floor is covered in dancing, foggy clouds, emitting a sweet, coconutty, and amberwood scent—a scent chosen by the newlyweds. There’s a massive waterfall-like fountain in a corner. In another corner is the chandelier castle cake, covered in peach, cr
Sophia’s POVAlexander’s calmness fills the elevator like gravity. I stare at my reflection against the panel—blonde hair secured in a neat bun, my teal silk skater dress falling perfectly—a 360-degree improvement from the last time I was here.He slowly holds my hand and locks our fingers with gen
Sophia’s POV⁓August 25, 2025: Dimitri & Lena’s Wedding Day⁓It’s exactly one week since my failed attempt at running away. One week since my second and best kiss ever. One week since I got reintroduced to Alexander Thorne as his fiancée. And one week of receiving large rose bouquets from him daily.
Sophia Rose’s POV“Sophia, you’re getting married,” my dad’s resolute voice replays in my head, like a gnawing, splitting headache. It’s been over twenty-four hours since I found out; over twenty-four hours since I last slept. My breath deep and shaky, I sit in my bright closet, quickly rolling a s
“Let me touch you the way you touched me…” He began after a pause. “Take off your bra, Sophia.”Were these the words that changed everything for Sophia? I think not. This twisted, yet beautiful chase started way before this day. Way before she ever found out that she was arranged to marry him in sev







