Chapter 16

Sophia paced around her apartment, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. She had been trying so hard to maintain control, to keep her emotions buried beneath layers of logic and reason. But the truth was—nothing felt logical anymore.

Alexander's words had stuck with her, lingering in her mind even as she tried to push them away. "I'm already here. And I'm not going anywhere."

She clenched her fists, her body tense as she tried to ignore the aching pull to him.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her from her thoughts. She glanced down at the screen.

Alexander Knight

Her heart skipped a beat.

Not again.

She had spent days trying to avoid him, trying to regain her footing. But here he was again, pulling her back into his orbit.

She swiped to answer, her voice steady but betraying her nerves. "Hello?"

"Hi, Sophia." His voice was warm, but there was an underlying urgency in it. "Can we meet? I need to talk to you."

Sophia closed her eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on her. "I don't think that's a good idea right now."

There was a pause, and then she heard him sigh. "I understand. But I need you to hear me out. Please."

She hesitated. The logical part of her screamed to hang up, to keep her distance. But the part of her that had already been drawn to him—the part that was weakening with each passing day—whispered for her to listen.

Just this once.

"Okay," she said finally, her voice soft but resolute. "But it has to be quick."

"Thank you. I'll be there in an hour."

Sophia hung up, her hands trembling. She couldn't let herself get too involved. She had a life to rebuild, a son to care for. She couldn't afford to let Alexander pull her deeper into a world she wasn't sure she could handle.

But deep down, she knew she was already too far gone.

—

An hour later, Alexander arrived at her apartment, his presence as commanding as ever. He was dressed in a tailored suit, looking every bit the billionaire CEO, but there was something about the way his eyes softened when he saw her that made her heart flutter.

"Sophia," he greeted, his voice gentle. "I know you're trying to protect yourself. But I need to make sure you understand something."

She crossed her arms, trying to keep the distance between them. "What do you want from me, Alexander?"

He stepped closer, but not too close—respecting the boundaries she had put in place. "I want you to stop running."

"I'm not running," she said quickly, though her words rang hollow even to her.

"Yes, you are," he replied, his voice calm but unwavering. "You've been running from me, from everything that's happened between us. But I can't keep watching you push me away. I'm not going anywhere, Sophia."

Her heart hammered in her chest. She didn't want to feel this way. She didn't want to be swept up in the storm that was Alexander Knight.

"Why me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "There are so many women in your world, so many who would be easier for you to be with."

Alexander's expression softened, his eyes dark with something that made her stomach flutter. "Because none of them are you."

Sophia swallowed, her breath catching in her throat.

"I know what I want, Sophia," he continued, his voice thick with emotion. "And I want you. For who you are, not what you can give me. I need you to trust me."

The words hit her like a tidal wave. She wanted to say something, to push him away and protect herself from the vulnerability that was threatening to consume her.

But she couldn't.

"Why should I trust you?" she finally asked, her voice shaking.

"Because I'm not like the men you've known," he said, his tone quiet but firm. "I'm not going to use you, or hurt you, or leave you when things get difficult. I want to build something real with you, Sophia."

Her heart skipped a beat. This was dangerous—he was dangerous.

But there was something about the way he looked at her, as if she was the only woman in the world, that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she could take a risk.

"Do you really mean that?" she whispered.

"I do," he said, stepping closer. This time, she didn't pull away. "I know you're scared. But you don't have to face this alone. Let me in."

The distance between them was gone. He was standing right in front of her, his hand gently cupping her face.

Her heart raced, her breath shallow. She had always kept her guard up, but right now, standing here with him, she wasn't sure she wanted to.

Sophia closed her eyes, her breath shaky, and for the first time in a long time, she let herself feel.