punishment

Sophia went back to the living room and found Alexander patiently waiting for her.

"What do you want to do to me? Kill me? I don't think so. You know very well if you try anything funny, the media would be at your neck asking, 'How did your newly engaged fiancée die?' You know better than to try anything like that," she said, trying hard not to let him see the fear in her eyes. She had heard stories about this man and knew what he was capable of if someone dared to challenge his authority. But despite her bravado, she could feel her stomach twist with unease.

Alexander laughed bitterly at her words, the sound sending a chill down her spine. He couldn't believe what this woman was saying. She had the nerve to cross his rules and, even after doing so, dared to challenge him. A part of him found her rather amusing than feeling any anger. Even though he found her attractive, he had no intention of letting her know that—he had learned long ago not to allow anyone to use his emotions against him. That would never be a smart choice. From the start, this was a contract marriage , certainly not a romantic entanglement. No sleeping together, everyone in their own room. That was the rule.

Two years—that's what he had promised her. If she played her role well as his wife, they wouldn't have a problem. Yet, it hadn't even been a month since he had publicly announced her as his fiancée, and she was already crossing his rules and giving him a headache. He knew he had to give her a punishment, something she wouldn't like, something that would make her suffer and remember her place. He cleared his throat.

"You'll sleep in my room tonight," he said.

"Hell, no! That was not part of the deal. If you want to be with someone, you're more than welcome to find a hooker. I won't sleep in your bedroom. This is a contract, not some twisted love or sex arrangement," she barked, crossing her arms defiantly, though she could feel her heart hammering in her chest.

He smiled humorlessly. "Well, maybe you should rethink your stance on this matter," he warned, voice chilling. "You seem to forget where you are. This isn't some casual weekend hookup. I will not tolerate your disrespect."

Sophia scoffed. "I don't disrespect you! I haven't done anything wrong! I just want to know what you have in my father's file. I didn't mean to sneak in. We both know you saved my family's business, and I deserve to know everything that's happening with it. I don't want to wake up one day and find my family's business in someone else's name."

His smile disappeared at her words. "If you're referring to stealing your father's business, Sophia, you clearly don't know me very well if you truly believe I would stoop so low." He stepped forward, looming threateningly over her, his cold gaze staring at her eyes. "You know what you signed up for, and you will follow my rules!"

She held his gaze, challenging him, though fear twisted in her stomach. "Or what?"

He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her closer, his grip firm and unyielding. "Do I need to demonstrate? Do you think I fear the media? No, I can make you disappear, and no one will question me about it."

Sophia froze in his hold. Did he mean it? Did he really threaten to do this if she ever disobeyed again? Her heartbeat raced as she searched his face, desperately wanting him to say it was just a joke, to reassure her that everything was fine. But all she saw was cold intent.

Alexander narrowed his eyes, studying her intently. "Or maybe we need to practice a little discipline. Don't you agree?" he murmured.

Her skin prickled with goosebumps as his lips smashed onto hers, and Sophia's breath hitched. No, no… this can't be happening. She closed her eyes, hoping he would stop, that somehow, when she opened them, this would all vanish like a nightmare. But no such luck. All she could feel was his mouth pressing against hers, his tongue , swirling inside her mouth. His free hand slipped under her shirt, caressing her abdomen before sliding farther south until he reached the waistband of her jeans.

She shivered, a sense of helplessness washing over her, mixed with anger. She hated him, hated how powerless she felt at this moment.

Suddenly, the kiss broke off, his breath hot against her cheek. "See? Not that bad now, is it?" he breathed before turning away and stalking back toward the door.

It's not over, she wanted to scream at him. She wanted to reach out, to grab him by the shoulder and demand to know exactly what he intended to do with her—and why. But she knew better. He'd probably throw her off with a single swipe if she made a sound.

As he walked back past her, he stopped suddenly and spun back around. "By the way, I expect you in my bedroom tonight."

She watched numbly as he walked away. What did he mean by kissing her? Does he want to sleep with her? This wasn't part of the deal. She despised the man. How dare he just kiss her like that? She had rights, and this was a breach of their contract. He broke the rules… and so had she, but this wasn't it. Alexander wasn't a man who let challenges slide. His cruelty wouldn't allow it.

But was sleeping with him her punishment? Her stomach churned at the thought.

'No, I have to get out of here, she thought' her heart pounding wildly.

She grabbed her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed someone.

" I'm coming over!" She said grabbing her jacket.