The Proposal

By the time Bobby and Sophia started college together at NYU, they had already spent there childhood in each other's orbit.

Their families were still as close as ever, their futures still expected to align. But college was different—it was the first time they were away from their parents' constant watch, the first time they had the chance to figure out who they were and what they really wanted without the weight of their families pressing down on them.

For Bobby, it meant balancing business classes with internships at Knight Industries, slowly taking on responsibilities that would shape him into the next CEO.

For Sophia, it meant proving herself at Lancaster Developments, pushing to be seen as more than just "Henry Lancaster's daughter."

And for both of them, it meant navigating the strange, unspoken tension that had settled between them since that night at the ballroom. Despite the new environment, one thing didn't change—Bobby and Sophia always found their way back to each other.

whether it was studing together in the library, whispering sarcastic remarks at each other while pretending to work. Or just grabbing coffee between classes, always arguing over whose turn it was to pay.

They still had each other's backs, whether it was Bobby scaring off guys who tried to hit on Sophia or Sophia keeping Bobby from skipping class when he got too caught up with work.

They never defined what they were.

Were they just best friends? Something more? Neither of them wanted to question it too much.

But everyone else could see it.

"You two are basically married already," Drew, teased one night. Him, Bobby and Marcus shared a dorm

Sophia had just brought takeout to there room where all seven of the were about to watch a movie, Bobby had put an arm around her shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"We are not," Sophia huffed, rolling her eyes.

Bobby just smirked. "Not yet, anyway."

She shoved him off with a glare, but the warmth in her chest lingered.

And that was the problem. It always lingered.

Enter Daniel Monroe

Sophia met Daniel Monroe during their second semester, in a business strategy class. He was smart, charming, and ambitious—the kind of guy who could walk into a room and command attention without even trying.

From the moment he saw Sophia, he was interested. And from the moment he found out she was already tied to Bobby Knight, he was obsessed.

At first, Daniel played it cool. He never openly flirted with Sophia, never made his feelings obvious. Instead, he ingratiated himself into her world, offering to be her partner for class projects, joining study groups she was in, making sure he was always around just enough to feel familiar.

And Sophia? She never saw it coming.

***

The first time Bobby met Daniel, it was pure coincidence.

He had been waiting outside one of Sophia's classes, scrolling through his phone, when he heard her laughing—a genuine, carefree laugh.

His stomach tightened as he looked up and saw her walking side by side with Daniel, their conversation was easy, natural.

Bobby narrowed his eyes as Daniel leaned in slightly, saying something that made Sophia roll her eyes playfully. Then Sophia saw Bobby.

"Hey," she greeted, walking up to him. "What are you doing here?"

Bobby crossed his arms. "Waiting for you. Who's this?"

Daniel smiled easily and extended his hand. "Daniel Monroe."

Bobby shook it, his grip a little too firm.

"Bobby Knight," he said, his tone polite—but sharp.

Daniel's smile didn't falter. "Ah, I've heard about you."

Bobby raised an eyebrow. "That so?"

Daniel chuckled. "Yeah. Hard not to, considering your family name."

Bobby's lips curved slightly, but his eyes were watching Daniel carefully. "Funny. Never heard of you."

Sophia sighed. "Okay, great. Now you two have met. Can we go?"

Bobby nodded, slipping an arm around Sophia's shoulder a little more possessively than necessary.

Daniel just smiled. And that was when Bobby knew—he wasn't just another guy. He was competition.

something about Daniel Monroe set his teeth on edge.

Especially when he walked into the library one evening and saw Sophia and Daniel sitting close together, laughing over some inside joke. Sophia's hand rested on her chin, her eyes crinkling as she smiled at Daniel, who leaned in just a bit too much.

Bobby felt his blood boil.

"Hey," he said sharply, walking up to them.

Sophia looked up, surprised. "Hey! What are you doing here?"

Bobby ignored the question, his eyes flicking to Daniel. "Didn't realize you two had a private comedy show going on."

Daniel smirked. "Sophia just has a great sense of humor."

Bobby's put on a fake smile. "Yeah. I know."

Sophia sighed. "Bobby, we're just studying."

"Sure," Bobby said, but the irritation was clear. He turned to Daniel. "Don't you have your own friends to bother?"

Daniel leaned back in his chair, looking unbothered. "I do. But Sophia's company is much better."

Sophia groaned, rubbing her temples. "You two are impossible."

Bobby looked at her, his expression tense. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Sophia hesitated before nodding.

As they stepped outside, Bobby turned to her. "Why are you spending so much time with him?"

Sophia blinked. "Excuse me?"

Bobby ran a hand through his hair. "We haven't hung out in a while, lately you barely have time for anything, and yet you're always with him."

Sophia folded her arms. "Why do you care?"

Bobby exhaled sharply. "Because… because I do."

Sophia stared at him, waiting.

Bobby looked at her. And for a second, he almost said it. Almost admitted everything. But like always he just he shook his head.

"Forget it," he muttered.

Sophia frowned. "Bobby—"

"I'll see you later."

And he walked away before she could stop him.

*****

By the time they graduated, Bobby had had enough. He had spent years dancing around his feelings, waiting for the perfect moment to tell Sophia how he felt. But Daniel had taught him something.

If you wait too long, someone else will take your place. On the night of their graduation party, at a rooftop bar in some Manhattan hotel, he finally did it. Sophia stood beside him, the wind blowing her hair, the city lights glowing behind her.

Bobby, Sophia, and their closest friends Drew, Marcus, Ethan, Caroline, Naomi, and Jenna were all gathered around, drinking, and laughing as they toasted to finally surviving college.

"We made it!" Naomi grinned, raising her glass. "To no more all-nighters and pretending to understand accounting!"

"Speak for yourself," Drew smirked, taking a sip of his whiskey. "Some of us actually studied."

Marcus nudged Bobby with a smirk. "And some of us just had our fiancée tutor us through everything."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "I'm not his fiancée."

Bobby just smirked, leaning against the railing. "Not yet."

Sophia gave him a suspicious look. "Why do you sound so confident about that?"

Bobby shrugged, setting down his drink. Now or never. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. The entire group fell silent.

Sophia's breath hitched as her heart pounded.

Bobby stepped closer, opening the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring.

"Oh my god," Jenna whispered, eyes wide.

Naomi gasped. "Are you serious right now?"

Sophia's gaze went from the ring to Bobby's face, full of confidence, and love.

"You told me once that you didn't want your life to be decided for you," Bobby said quietly. "So I'm not asking because of our parents. I'm asking because I love you. Because I don't want anyone else but you."

Sophia felt her throat tighten as he held out the ring.

"Marry me."

For a moment, everything else faded.

It wasn't about their families, their history, or even their future. It was just them.

Sophia looked at the ring. Looked at him. And she knew.

"Yes."

The rooftop erupted in cheers.

Caroline squealed. "OH MY GOD, YOU GUYS!"

Drew laughed, clapping Bobby on the back. "Took you long enough."

Marcus raised his glass. "To the future Mr. and Mrs. Knight!"

Sophia laughed through her happy tears as Bobby slid the ring onto her finger.

Bobby smirked, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "Told you I'd make you mine."

Sophia smacked his chest playfully but couldn't stop smiling.

And as they stood there, surrounded by their friends, laughter, and the dazzling city lights, Bobby knew one thing for sure.

He had just won the biggest gamble of his life.

Later that night, when Bobby was walking her back to her place, Sophia pulled him to a stop.

"Remember when we were kids?" she asked.

Bobby smirked. "We were kids for a long time, Soph. You'll have to be more specific."

She rolled her eyes. "The summer we were eight. We made a bet."

Bobby thought for a second, then his eyes lit up.

"You mean the bet where I said you'd end up begging to marry me?" he teased.

Sophia laughed, shaking her head. "Well I won, I never begged."

"Mm. Close enough."

She nudged him. "You really believed that back then?"

Bobby's expression softened. "Yeah."

Sophia blinked, caught off guard. "Really?"

Bobby shrugged, but his gaze was steady. "I knew I loved you before I even knew what love was."

Her chest tightened. For all his teasing, Bobby had always been serious about her. And she never really stood a chance.

In the Shadows, Daniel Waited he had been watching. Not at that moment. Not directly.

But over the years, he had seen enough. He had always known Bobby would propose. It was inevitable. But what Daniel hadn't expected was how much it would bother him.

How much it would drive him insane.

Because Sophia was supposed to be his. And if Bobby thought a ring and a promise was enough to keep him away… Then he had no idea what was coming.