C7 I am not afraid of you

Sofia's POV

The room grew heavier with tension as my father’s eyes widened in disbelief at my response. Alex, still holding the signed papers, leaned back with a smug smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Well, well," Alex drawled, his tone laced with mockery. "It seems your daughter understands her place now. How refreshing."

I shot him a glare but kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose control, no matter how much I wanted to wipe that smug expression off his face.

"My place?" I finally said, my voice steady but cold. "My place is wherever I decide it is, not where you or anyone else dictates."

My father stepped closer, his hand clenched into a fist by his side. "Enough, Sofia. You will behave yourself. We are guests here, and Alex is your husband now. Do not make things worse for yourself."

I wanted to laugh. Worse? How could things possibly get worse than being sold into a marriage I didn’t want, to a man I despised? But instead, I tilted my head, giving my father a look that was equal parts defiance and bitterness.

"If you need to talk, Father," I said, keeping my voice even, "you can make an appointment with my husband. I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to arrange something for you."

Alex chuckled softly at my words, his hazel eyes gleaming with amusement. "I must say, Sofia, you’re full of surprises. I might even enjoy this marriage after all."

"I need to make sure you understand that however happy this might be, it is only for a short time, what tricks you've up your shoulders that you plan on doing to make me lose myself, dear husband, I regret to tell you, will fail," I said, my eyes glued to his.

I watched his eyes blink with surprise, taking him aback, and it was evident that he had never had anyone to stand up to him that way.

"Good," I muttered, stepping away from him, my stomach churning at the closeness. I turned away, my gaze landing briefly on Zack, who stood silently in the corner of the room, his expression unreadable.

For a fleeting moment, I remembered again—his hands on me, his lips trailing fire across my skin, his whispered promises that now felt like lies. It was almost cruel how his hazel eyes mirrored Alex’s, yet they carried a softness Alex could never possess.

I blinked, banishing the memory before it could consume me. This wasn’t the time or place to indulge in regret or longing.

"Sofia," Alex said, his voice gruff, as they cut through my thoughts. "Why don’t you be a good little wife and follow me to your new home?"

I forced a smile, cold and sharp. "Lead the way, husband."

As Alex turned and strode out of the room, I followed, feeling the weight of Zack’s gaze on my back. My father trailed behind his presence a constant reminder of my imprisonment.

But as I stepped into the hallway, I made a silent vow to myself. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. I might have signed the papers, but I would find a way to reclaim my freedom—and make them all regret underestimating me.

"Miss Sofia," A maid said, from behind, bowing before Alex. "Are you blind?" Alex asked, tightening his fist.

"Sir?" The maid said, looking up confused at him. "I said are you blind!" Zack barked, making the maid flinch.

My eyes flickered with disbelief at the monster my father sold me to.

"Is Sofia the only fucking person in front of you? I pay you and I own you!" He growled, stepping closer to the maid who could only regress in fear.

"Move any step further and I'll make sure you bathe in the pool of your own blood," Alex said, making the girl stiff, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I—I'm really sorry Mr Alex," She pleaded, shuddering heavily as he gripped her neck, her eyes bulging hard from its socket.

"P—please," she begged, tapping his hands frantically.

I moved to intervene when I felt Zack's gaze on me, warningly.

"No thank you," I muttered, low enough that only he could hear before walking in front of Alex.

"Do you plan on killing her?" I asked, my eyes sturdy despite the bone-chilling fear inside me.

"What?" He asked, tossing her to the floor. She coughed hard, gripping her chest as she scrambled on the floor, her tears dripping to the floor.

"What are you trying to do? Ascertain your power over her or who? Is it me? To make me fear you?" I asked folding my hands above my chest.

"Strangling a maid because she doesn't acknowledge you but the woman behind you is disgracing yourself, Mr. Alex, that's not power, it's pettiness, and it's making you look stupid," I said, watching his veins pop, his rage building up.

"Leave," I said to the maid who was still on her knees.

"You dare not..." "Yes she does Alex, I own her, I pay her, just in case you didn't read the marriage agreement well, I've my personal maid and she's mine from this moment on," I said, staring back at the maid.

"Leave now," I said, and she nodded, bowing frantically as she made her way away from him.

"Sofia!" He yelled, walking menacingly toward me.

"Get your hands on me and I promise, there's still enough time to nullify this marriage, my father had gotten his money, laid his debt and you were the one who broke it by strangling me, there's no argument," I said, stepping closer to him.

"You think you can disrespect me? Huh, you little bitch, you're way too young for this act you're putting on," He said, his hands gripping my neck regardless.

"Kill me, Alex Holmes," I dared, smiling between his grip.

"Alex!" I heard Zack and his father call.

"She's the only one who will marry you, kill her, and I might have to decide to give the family business to Zack," Michael said, making him retract his grip immediately.