Chapter 1

Sophia's POV

My heart was racing as I adjusted the black dress I had bought especially for tonight. It was a simple but elegant design, the most expensive one I had ever bought in my entire life.

Three months of saving to be on par with the Reed Group's most important event of the year.

I ran my fingers through my brown hair, trying to tame a few rebellious strands. I was never the type of woman who drew attention for her looks.

I didn't have the stunning beauty of Victoria, my assistant, with her perfectly straight blonde hair and hypnotizing green eyes. But tonight I wanted to be beautiful. For him. For Alexander.

Three years. That's how long we had been together in secret.

Three years of furtive meetings, of promises whispered in the dark, of moments stolen in his office after everyone had gone home.

Three years waiting for the day he would finally acknowledge me.

And today could be that day.

"You look beautiful," said Emma, my best friend, the only person who knew about my relationship with Alexander. "He's going to be speechless when he sees you."

I smiled nervously, adjusting the delicate necklace Alexander had given me on our second anniversary.

"Do you really think so? Victoria will be there in some designer dress that costs more than six months of my rent."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Stop comparing yourself to her. You are the youngest marketing director in the history of the Reed Group. You earned that on your own merit, not with fake smiles and short skirts."

I nodded, trying to absorb her confidence. Emma was right. I had worked hard to get where I was.

An orphan since the age of twelve, I grew up in foster homes, studied on scholarships, and worked three jobs to pay for college. No one had ever given me anything for free.

Except Alexander. He had given me hope. Love. A future.

"He said he has a surprise for tonight," I confessed, feeling the butterflies in my stomach.

"Do you think finally...?"

Emma smiled, squeezing my hand. "There's only one way to find out."

The ballroom at the Plaza Hotel was dazzling. Crystal chandeliers lit up the room, reflecting off the champagne flutes circulating on silver trays.

The cream of New York society was present—businessmen, politicians, celebrities, all gathered to celebrate the Reed Group's 50th anniversary.

I entered alone, as always. Alexander and I never arrived at events together. It was part of our unspoken agreement.

He said it was to protect me, to avoid gossip that could harm my professional reputation. I pretended to believe it, though a part of me knew there was more to it.

I took a glass of champagne and scanned the room with my eyes, looking for him. It wasn't hard to find him. Alexander Reed always stood out in any environment.

Tall, imposing, with his perfectly combed black hair and blue eyes that seemed to see through your soul. He wore a tuxedo that accentuated his broad shoulders, talking to a group of executives.

Our eyes met for a brief moment. I felt my heart skip a beat when he offered me a discreet smile before turning his attention back to the conversation.

That was our code. Later, he would find a way for us to be alone, even if just for a few minutes.

"Sophia! Glad you made it."

I turned to find Michael Carter, the Reed Group's financial director and Alexander's best friend, approaching with a warm smile.

Michael had always been kind to me, one of the few executives who treated me as an equal from the start.

"Michael, good evening," I replied, returning the smile. "Everything is wonderful."

"You look stunning," he commented, his gaze sincere. "That dress..."

"Thank you," I replied, feeling my cheeks flush. I never knew how to handle compliments well.

Michael hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say something more. His gaze drifted to Alexander and then back to me, with an expression I couldn't decipher.

"Is everything alright, Michael?"

He opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by the clinking of a spoon against a crystal glass. The entire room fell silent as Alexander stepped onto the small stage set up in the center of the ballroom. My heart raced. It was now. The surprise he had mentioned.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Alexander's deep, confident voice echoed through the ballroom. "I thank you all for being here on this special night. Fifty years ago, my grandfather founded this company with a simple vision: excellence in everything we do."

He continued his speech, talking about the company's history, the challenges overcome, the achievements reached. I watched him, mesmerized, as I always was when I saw him in his element. Alexander was born to lead, to command. It was impossible not to be captivated by his charisma.

"But tonight is not just about celebrating the past," he continued, his gaze sweeping the audience. "It's also about looking to the future. And speaking of the future..."

My heart raced. It was now. Was he going to call me to the stage? Announce our relationship? Maybe even an engagement? My hands began to tremble slightly.

"I would like to call to the stage someone very special," Alexander said, his smile widening. "The woman who will soon become my wife."

The ballroom erupted in applause and murmurs of excitement. I felt my entire body freeze. Was this really happening? After three years, he was finally...

"Victoria Pierce, would you join me?"

The world stopped. The sound of applause turned into a distant buzz in my ears. Victoria? My assistant Victoria?

As if in a nightmare in slow motion, I saw Victoria—stunning in a red dress that hugged every curve of her body—walk confidently onto the stage, a radiant smile on her perfect face.

Alexander greeted her with a passionate kiss in front of everyone before sliding a diamond ring onto her finger.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce my engagement to this extraordinary woman. Victoria is not only my future wife but also the new Vice President of Marketing for the Reed Group."

Vice President of Marketing. My position. The position I had earned with years of hard work.

I felt the champagne churn in my stomach. The people around me applauded, smiled, commented on the "perfect couple."

No one noticed the woman in the simple black dress struggling to breathe in a corner of the ballroom.

"Sophia..." Michael's voice sounded distant. I felt his hand on my shoulder, but I couldn't respond.

My eyes were fixed on the stage, where Alexander and Victoria posed for photos, smiling, as flashes exploded around them.

I don't know how I managed to move. My body seemed to belong to someone else as I walked mechanically toward the exit. I needed to get out of there. I needed to breathe.

"Sophia, wait!" Michael caught up with me in the hallway leading to the elevators. "I'm so sorry. I wanted to warn you, but..."

"You knew?" The words came out as a strangled whisper.

Michael's guilty expression was answer enough. "He told me yesterday. I tried to convince him to reconsider, to at least talk to you first, but..."

"How long?" I interrupted, needing to know the extent of the betrayal. "How long have they been together?"

Michael looked away. "Six months, from what I know."

Six months. While I waited patiently for Alexander to acknowledge me, he was building a future with my assistant.

The woman who worked directly with me every day, who smiled at me, who pretended to be my friend.

"I need to go," I murmured, pressing the elevator button hard.

"Don't go like this," Michael begged. "Let me call a cab for you. You're in no condition to drive."

"I'm fine," I lied, entering the elevator as soon as the doors opened. "I just need to be alone."

The doors were almost closed when a strong hand stopped them. Alexander stepped into the elevator, his face a mask of contained irritation.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked as soon as the doors closed, leaving us alone.