Mag-log inSophia Ward never imagined her life would spiral this way. One moment, she’s struggling to keep her family afloat; the next, she’s kidnapped by Adrian Vale—a ruthless criminal who threatens her family’s very existence if she doesn’t obey his orders. His mission? Infiltrate Blackwood Enterprises and manipulate its enigmatic CEO, Desmond Blackwood, into signing a contract that could change everything. Every choice she makes is a gamble. Every lie she tells is a risk. Desmond Blackwood has always lived by control and calculation. Blind yet unyielding, he’s nothing like the whispers that surround him. And when Sophia steps into his world—fragile, terrified, yet stubbornly brave—he senses a storm in her heart he can’t ignore. Then Sophia Ward walked into his life. Fragile, terrified, yet strangely bold. She carried secrets he didn’t yet understand—and a courage that defied her circumstances. Something about her stirred something in him he hadn’t felt in years. Curiosity. Protection. And perhaps, against all reason, something more. With the fact he knows, she is hiding a dangerous secret of her own— He still leans in more for her to trust him because somehow that matters to him. But in a world where trust is a luxury, Desmond would have to decide: Could he risk believing in her, even if it might cost him everything? And Sophia must navigate love, danger, and deception. Can she protect her family without losing herself—or the one person she never thought she’d trust
view moreSophia
My hair was yanked back painfully from behind, forcing me into an awkward position on my knees. But that wouldn’t stop me from pleading.
“Please! Please, I’m begging you, don’t do this… he’s already hurt. We just need time. Just give us some…”
Yelp.
The sharp sound of impact rang in my ears. It took me a second to realize who the attack came from—and who the victim was.
Me.
He had just slapped me.
I swallowed the bitter taste of pain and humiliation, knowing that if I said anything else, I wouldn’t be lucky enough to receive just a slap. My breath came in shallow gasps. Each exhale was a desperate attempt to steady myself. My knees burned against the rough ground. My legs trembled, as though the weight of the moment might crush me entirely. “My father is in a coma. If you harm him again, he won’t survive it,” I thought, clinging to the only leverage I had.
“Do I look concerned? You’ve got some nerve if you think you can bargain with me.” His voice was low, calm—and far more terrifying because of it.
A dark bandana hid half his face, leaving only his cold, unblinking eyes visible.
His eyes. Sharp. Calculating. Empty. Like someone who waits for weakness to bloom before crushing it.
I looked away quickly. They held unspoken stories, none of which I wanted to become part of. Dressed entirely in black, he stood before me with quiet confidence—not loud or wild, but controlled. Like someone who never doubted his power.
And I was at the mercy of it.
The silence in the abandoned warehouse stretched endlessly. Fat, hot tears slid down my cheeks, stinging the skin that had already endured too much. I stayed still, praying this nightmare would end.
How did I get here? Why is nothing working out for me?
“You’ve had your chances,” he continued smoothly. “Time’s up. What do I look like, a charity?”
He tapped the cold metal of his gun against his chest once, almost thoughtfully, as if amused by the idea. Then, with casual menace, he added, “I don’t chase people. I wait. And they always crawl back.”
I whispered, “No,” barely audible, unable to move my head because of the tight grip in my hair.
The man behind me tightened his hold in warning. Pain shot through my scalp.
This is spiraling. I have to fix this.
“Anything,” I forced out. “I’ll do anything. Just don’t hurt them. Please.”
My voice cracked. Desperate. Raw.
“Anything?” he repeated, tilting his head slightly as if studying me.
I hesitated. My chest tightened. This wasn’t just about me—it was about my family. Then I whispered, “Yes.”
I closed my eyes, bracing myself for something worse than humiliation. But this wasn’t about me. It was about my family.
My hair was yanked back again, forcing me to meet his gaze. My wrists burned against the ropes tied tightly behind me.
After a long pause, he clicked his tongue softly.
“I know what you can do for me.”
One of his men brought him a steel chair. He dragged it across the concrete floor, the screeching sound echoing harshly in the empty space before sitting down slowly—comfortably. Like he had all the time in the world.
“What’s wrong?” he mocked lightly. “Regretting your decision already? I don’t give second chances, sweetheart.”
I forced myself to breathe evenly.
Stay strong.
“I have an offer for you,” he said, resting the gun casually across his thigh.
My entire body ached. Sweat trickled down my temple. I lifted my chin slightly, refusing to completely break.
“But it’s not about what you want anymore. It’s about what I want.” His tone hardened. “And you’ll do it. Because if you don’t…”
He lifted the gun—not aggressively, but deliberately—and pointed it in my direction.
“Your whole family pays for it.”
My heart stopped.
“No. Please.”
“I’ll do it,” I rushed out. “Whatever you want.”
“Good.”
He signaled one of his men, who handed him a file. He opened it calmly.
“Have you heard of Blackwood Enterprises?”
How could I not?
“Yes,” I answered weakly. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel a chilling smile tug at the corner of his mouth.
“I have an assignment for you.”
My stomach twisted.
He gestured, and the man behind me finally released my hair. I coughed, dragging in air.
“This,” he said, holding up a single sheet of paper, “is a contract I need the CEO of Blackwood Enterprises to sign. And you’re going to make that happen.”
“H-How?” I stammered.
“That’s not my problem. Just get hired there, then get close. You’ll earn his trust.” His eyes darkened. “And you’ll make him sign it.”
My heart pounded violently.
“He’s not careless,” the man added. “He reads everything. But I believe you’re capable. Or replaceable.”
“Earn his trust,” he continued, “and once he signs, your parents’ debt disappears. I forget this ever happened.”
His boot tapped impatiently against the floor.
“Is that clear?”
I swallowed hard.
Before I could respond fully, he stood.
“You have one month.”
My eyes widened.
“That’s not enough time,” I said quickly. “Getting hired alone could take weeks. Please—give me more.”
He studied me for a long moment, gripping the gun tightly.
“Two months,” he said finally. Still impossible.
“Lucky for you, the position will be vacant soon,” he added. “If you fail before your deadline…” He paused, his gaze steady. “You already know the consequences.”
My blood ran cold.
“Now,” he said calmly, folding his hands. “Shall we go over the details?”
How do I survive this?
Sophia’s POVThe house smelled like tea leaves and detergent when I walked downstairs.For the first time in weeks, I was home before sunset.The small living room glowed gold from the late afternoon sunlight filtering through the thin curtains, dust floating lazily through the air. Everything felt unusually calm.Too calm.I had barely reached the last step when the front door opened.Miles walked in.His backpack hung loosely over one shoulder, dark curls slightly messy like he had been running his fingers through them all day. The second his eyes landed on me, surprise crossed his face.“Soph?” he blinked. “Why are you home?”I laughed softly. “Nice to see you too.”“No, seriously.” He dropped his bag near the couch. “It’s still early.”“I know.”“That company finally collapsed or something?”I rolled my eyes. “No. My boss let me leave early.”Now that earned a reaction.Miles narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Your terrifying billionaire boss voluntarily gave you free time?”“Yes.”
Sophia’s POVThe sun burned against my skin as I stood at the edge of the construction site, clipboard tucked against my side while my pen moved lazily across the paper. Dust swirled around my shoes every time the wind picked up, carrying the dry scent of sand, concrete, and heated metal through the air.The land stretched endlessly ahead of us.Wide.Open.Expensive.Beside me, Desmond stood with one hand resting lightly against his cane, dark glasses shielding his eyes from the harsh afternoon light. A loose curl had fallen over the frame, brushing near his cheek every time the wind shifted.It was strange how composed he always looked.Even here.Even in silence.And today’s silence had been unbearable.Hours ago, after he told me to leave his office, I hadn’t gone far.I knew I should have.But curiosity had rooted me outside the door.So I stayed.And listened.Not to everything.Just enough.Enough to hear the tension in Amaya’s voice.Enough to hear the bitterness in Desmond’s.
Desmond’s POVThe door shuts behind me with a quiet click.Routine. Control. Order.I reach for my tie, loosening it slowly as I step further into the office. The fabric slides beneath my fingers—familiar, grounding. My jacket follows, draped neatly over the chair.Another day.Another structure I can rely on.But my mind refuses to follow.It drifts—back to yesterday.Amaya.The message still lingers somewhere on my phone, unread in detail but fully understood in implication.She reached out.After everything.My jaw tightens.I move toward my desk, fingers brushing against the polished surface as I sit. My hand curls slightly, resting there for a moment—Then tightening.A slow, controlled squeeze.She lied.Not once. Not twice.Systematically.Carefully.What I thought was concern… urgency… desperation—Was none of those things.Just manipulation, dressed well enough to be believable.Money had never been the issue.I had more than enough to give.It was trust.And she dismantled i
Sophia’s POVI was on my way to get coffee when voices drifting from the break room made me slow my steps.The door was half open. Laughter slipped through first, then words sharper than laughter ever could be.“It’s ridiculous,” a woman said. “I’ve worked here for four years, and Mr. Blackwood wouldn’t even consider me for secretary. Then some random girl walks in and gets the job?”“She’s not random,” another voice replied dryly. “She’s gorgeous. That helps.”A few people laughed.“As if that matters,” someone else muttered. “The man is blind.”More laughter followed, louder this time.I stood very still outside the door, coffee forgotten, a flicker of anger rising in my chest.Another woman spoke, her tone edged with annoyance. “She doesn’t even try to talk to anyone. Always walking around like she owns the place.”“That’s not fair,” a softer voice cut in. “She works hard. I’ve seen her stay late twice this week already. Maybe she earned it.”“Or maybe she knows how to impress the












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