partnership of convenience

Sophia's heart pounded in her chest as she stood at the entrance to the grand ballroom. The chandelier above her glittered with a thousand lights, casting a golden glow over the opulent space. It felt like a dream, but not the kind that filled her with warmth and comfort. This was the kind of dream that had an undercurrent of fear—like walking through a beautiful garden only to realize there were thorns everywhere.

She clutched the clutch in her hands tightly, her fingers digging into the soft fabric. Her engagement ring—the one Alexander had insisted on, large and sparkling—felt heavy on her hand. Every inch of her body was tense, from the tight fit of the elegant white gown that had been custom-fitted just hours ago to the perfectly styled waves of her hair that had taken the stylist nearly two hours to complete. Her entire appearance had been meticulously crafted, all to present an image of flawless beauty and wealth.

But inside, Sophia felt like she was crumbling. Her every movement was monitored, every word she would speak tonight would be analyzed, and every glance from the people around her would scrutinize her as if she were a specimen under a microscope.

"This is it," Alexander's voice said from behind her, his hand gently resting on her lower back as he came to stand beside her. His touch was possessive, firm, but not entirely uncomfortable. He had a way of making even the most casual gesture seem calculated.

She forced a smile and glanced up at him. Alexander was the epitome of composed power, dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that exuded confidence and authority. His sharp jawline, his icy blue eyes that never seemed to soften, and the way he carried himself—like a king who had just conquered his kingdom—left no room for doubt. He knew exactly what he was doing, every second of every day.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his tone low and intimate, though Sophia knew the affection behind it was an act.

She nodded, her throat too dry to speak. She had to be ready, whether she truly was or not. This was her life now. There was no turning back. She couldn't afford to falter.

Alexander gave her a final look, his gaze sweeping over her as if she were a prized possession. Then, with a slight nod to the event coordinator at the door, they were ushered forward. The ballroom doors swung open, revealing a sea of people—powerful, influential figures from across New York's elite. Business tycoons, socialites, politicians, and celebrities filled the grand space, their eyes immediately turning to the couple at the entrance.

Sophia could feel their stares like pinpricks against her skin. They were all looking at her, and she knew what they were thinking. Who was this woman? Who had captured the heart of Alexander Maddox? Was she worthy? Did she deserve to be here?

Her heart raced, but she kept her expression calm, a serene smile on her lips as she allowed Alexander to lead her into the room. It was as if a spotlight had been turned on them, illuminating their every move. The whispers started almost immediately, hushed conversations swirling around them as people speculated about the sudden engagement.

"Smile," Alexander whispered under his breath, his lips barely moving as they descended the staircase. "You need to look like you're enjoying this."

Sophia plastered a brighter smile on her face, even though her stomach churned with nerves. She couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Not tonight. Not ever.

As they reached the bottom of the staircase, the crowd parted to let them through. Sophia recognized a few faces from the tabloids—celebrities she had only seen in magazines or on TV—but there were also dozens of strangers, each one staring at her with a mixture of curiosity and envy. Alexander nodded to a few people as they passed, his hand never leaving her back, guiding her with a subtle firmness that reminded her exactly who was in control.

They stopped in front of a group of men in tailored suits—business moguls, judging by their confident stances and the expensive watches gleaming on their wrists. Alexander shook hands with each of them, exchanging pleasantries in his deep, authoritative voice. Sophia stood beside him, smiling and nodding at the right moments, but her mind was elsewhere, spinning with the realization of how little she knew about this world.

"Sophia," Alexander's voice broke into her thoughts, and she snapped back to attention. "This is Daniel Carter, CEO of Carter Enterprises. We've been doing business for years."

Sophia extended her hand, her smile polite but practiced. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carter."

Daniel Carter was older, his silver hair neatly styled and his smile sharp as he took her hand. "The pleasure is all mine," he said smoothly. "I've heard a great deal about you, Miss Hart. Or should I say, soon-to-be Mrs. Maddox?"

Her smile faltered for the briefest of moments. *Mrs. Maddox.* The title sounded foreign, strange, like a piece of clothing that didn't quite fit. She forced her lips back into place. "Yes, it seems the news is spreading quickly."

Daniel chuckled, releasing her hand. "It's not every day Alexander Maddox gets engaged. You must be quite the woman to have captured his attention."

Sophia's gaze flicked to Alexander, who was watching her with that same unreadable expression. She wondered what he was thinking—if he was amused by this conversation, if he cared at all about what anyone thought. He seemed so above it all, untouchable in his control.

"She is," Alexander said, his voice cool but filled with purpose. "Sophia is… exceptional."

The word hung in the air between them, and Sophia had to fight the urge to scoff. Exceptional? She was just a girl from Brooklyn who had been thrust into a world she didn't understand. But in this world, appearances were everything, and Alexander had made it clear what he expected from her.

Daniel smiled, nodding in approval before turning his attention back to Alexander, launching into a discussion about business deals and future plans. Sophia stood by, listening but not really hearing, her mind drifting as she scanned the room. Everywhere she looked, people were watching them—watching *her*. She could feel their judgment, their skepticism. She wasn't one of them, and they knew it.

The evening wore on in a blur of introductions and polite conversations. Sophia met more people than she could remember, each handshake and smile blending together into a haze of names and faces. She felt like a puppet, pulled along by invisible strings, every movement rehearsed, every word measured.

Alexander was always by her side, his presence a constant reminder of the role she was playing. But even though he never strayed far, there was a distance between them—a chasm that she wasn't sure she would ever be able to cross. He was so guarded, so controlled, that it was impossible to tell what he truly thought of her. Was she just another piece in his carefully crafted image? A pawn in his game?

It was nearly midnight when they finally stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the ballroom. Sophia leaned against the railing, inhaling deeply as she stared out at the glittering lights of the city below. For a moment, she could almost forget where she was, forget the weight of the ring on her finger and the contract that bound her to a man she barely knew.

"Are you all right?" Alexander's voice was soft, but there was an edge to it that made her stiffen. He was standing just behind her, his gaze fixed on the skyline.

Sophia hesitated before nodding. "I'm fine. Just… needed some air."

He didn't respond, but she could feel him watching her, his presence like a shadow that she couldn't shake. After a long silence, he finally spoke again, his voice low. "You did well tonight."

She turned to face him, surprised by the unexpected compliment. "I… thank you."

Alexander's eyes were unreadable in the dim light, his expression as cold and controlled as ever. "I told you, Sophia. This is a partnership. We're in this together. The more you accept that, the easier it will be for both of us."

Sophia nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more behind his words, something he wasn't saying. She wanted to ask him—wanted to understand what was really going on in his mind—but the distance between them felt insurmountable.

Instead, she turned back to the city, her fingers tightening around the railing as she stared out into the night. This was her life now. This was her reality. And no matter how much she wanted to escape, there was no way out.

Not anymore.

"Let's go back inside," Alexander said, his voice breaking the silence. "There are still a few people we need to speak to before we leave."

Sophia nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat as she followed him back into the ballroom. The mask of perfection slipped back into place, and once again, she became the woman everyone expected her to be.