Sophie POV:-

I went to the kitchen and leaned on the counter and began to let out deep breaths to calm myself. Amid heartbreaking truths and the labyrinth of the mystifying realities which never occurred to me; another strangely beautiful emotion aroused in me which I am not ready to accept.

What I learned today was too much for me to bear, that's why I also didn't push him to tell me everything. But I don't understand why Mother didn't tell me, she should have told me. That's why she tried to convince me to marry Christian but why can't she tell me bluntly about it? Is there something more unbearable? Honestly, I don't think anything would be more horror-stuck than being sold to some rich without being aware of it and this guy has known you ever since the beginning while you knew absolutely nothing about him.

Just how complicated our relationship is?

A feeling of abhorrence filled me, The bastard known as my father sold me to him. How dare he do this. I swear if we met ever again, I will kill him and Christian was just fulfilling his promise while pushing me away to love him that's why affections were built between us. He promised his mother to marry me but he liked Merlin but when she cheated, he came to me. In a sense, I am not less than a second option- it broke my heart.

What about me?

I am just being used as a toy fulfil lust, treated as a second option unaware of her own self. Why me..? I never got to fulfill my dreams. First, bearing the burden of our home expenses and now having a loveless life.

I looked at my hands devoid. What am I? Do I have a life on my own? Can I feel? Is there anything good in my life? A mother who hides things from me, brother that thinks I am a Gold-Digger, Husband who doesn't love me? Why do I have to suffer this? Was my tears worth this pain?

But nothing will happen if I don't try to do anything. After Christian will tell me everything, I'll see what I can do. Whether I can bear the weight and continue from this point or perhaps I should leave everyone and live my life, away from them, away from the secrets... It all depends on the day where I'll come to know everything.

I sighed but then I felt my cheeks heating up as my face flushed when I remembered what happened a few moments ago. My heart began to race as I began to pant. I put a hand over my chest to calm my racing heart. What happened to me? When did his touch felt.. calming? No! It can't be. It can never be!

But why?

Why did it feel good when his lips made contact with mine. These are the same lips that left me humiliated, how can I like this touch? His words echoed in my mind, stirring it.

"Please don't cry. Your cries hurt me. It's unbearable.."

I felt blood rushing to my cheeks as a blush crept upon them. What happened to me? Why did his words of in-depth fondness give me eerie satisfaction and solace?

I shook my head and After struggling for a while, I inhaled deeply, not wanting to think about it and left for the grocery shop.

"Ma'am, I'll drop you off." Josh offered but I refused and went on my own. Why do I need a driver just to go to a grocery shop? Emitting a deep heave, I brought some ice-cream for me and chocolates for him. A wide smile formed on my lips when I brought them.

Stop thinking like this!

I walked out as a person quickly went to me,

"Ma'am, can you please hold this?" He said passing me a cigarette.

"No," I said with a frown.

"Please. My mother is nearby, she doesn't like me smoking." He pleaded.

"Then stop doing this for her. This act of yours can never please her." I advised.

"I am trying. Please hold this. Not for me but for my old mother. Please." He begged, I awkwardly took the cigarette and looked away, feeling disgusted by its smell. He ate a few peppermints and ran away. But, after a few seconds, he came with a smile,

"Actually, you are right. Throw this away, I'll try." I threw it away and passed him a smile.

"Thank you." He smiled and left. I stood nervously. What just happened?

It's hard to swallow that you can leave your addictions by some words of a stranger. I shrugged my shoulders and didn't think about it, he got it that it's injurious to health, nothing else matters.

I went home. My heart skipped a beat when I walked towards our room. How can I face him? No, He kissed me, he should be shy, why would I be?

With a deep breath, I formed a stoic face and walked inside, "I'm back." I said monotonously and sat beside him. He looked at me for a second and let out a sigh. How dare he?

"Sophie, when a stranger gives you something, you are not supposed to take it." He scolds me like I am a child. "What?" I was confused.

"Come here." He motioned me to come closer. He saw a picture of me holding a cigarette. My eyes widened in disbelief, my mouth gaped. Who took this picture and that guy, he did that on purpose? Christian looked at the pictures with slight anger,

"Christian, I didn't hold it on purpose. I don't smoke." I panicked, in that pic, it seems like I am smoking. Why, When and how?

"Hey, calm down, I trust you. You haven't touched alcohol yet, how can you smoke?" He reassured me. And I calmed down.

"I didn't know you could panic. It must mean you care about what I think of you, right?" He said with a smirk, he was teasing but somewhere he was happy.

"I don't know.," I said looking somewhere else. He laughed a little, "Here's your chocolate." I handed him, trying to avoid any further conversation about it.

"Tell me. What actually happened at the shop?" He asked seriously out of the sudden. I was startled a bit but told him about what happened, it wasn't much of a deal, even if a pic of mine smoking was made. I don't care.

"It's Merlin. She just wants to degrade you by spreading rumours. But, don't worry. I'll take care, nothing like this happens again." He smiled. "Why would she do it?" I asked timidly. What does she want from me?

"Who knows?" he said but I feel like somewhere in his heart he knows. He shrugged his shoulders and laid on the bed while putting his hand below his head, he looked so handsome like this. In fact, every reflex made him look exquisite.

"Do.. you still love her?" I asked and instantly regretted it. I bit my lips looking away, a sudden fear took over me of hearing yes. I don't care then why I do?

He looked at me as I mumbled a 'sorry'. He didn't even expect me to say that.

"I loved her with all my heart. That's why when she cheated, my desire for love or loyalty shattered." He said sadly looking at the ceiling void. His sadness was felt by me. I felt a sudden knot in my heart.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," I said looking away.

"It's alright. You must be intrigued." He laughed off. And I continued to look away.

****

It's been 3 days since Christian is at home. He can finally walk,

"1.. 2.. 3 Go!" He shouted as we both started running; starting the race from the Main Gate to the Entrance of the hall. He was exuberant because he can walk again. But in the race, I, of course, being faster wins the race. I began to cheer in joy.

"damn.. you're fast," he said. I put my hand on my waist proudly, "I know, turtle."

"Well, don't forget about the race of the rabbit and the tortoise." He retorted.

"I'm not like that rabbit." I sneered. We then began to laugh,

"Tell him Samuel, who won?" I asked Samuel who currently being the judge to see who wins.

"Of course, you, Ma'am." He smiled. I beamed showing my victory and then we began to laugh.

Then, we went to have lunch, as we were eating, Christian asked,

"Did you talk to Eugene?", "Nah, leave him for a while," I replied casually.

"Aren't you worried about his whereabouts?"

"He is at our old home and currently looking for a job, let's see how long he can go," I said with a smug look. I want to see how far he can take care of himself.

"You know he just looks like you but his mind is far too good in intelligence," Christian said as I gave him a nod. I know Eugene has always been a genius, he even completed his graduation before me. I never liked being compared to him. But, I know that I am far better at facing hard situations.

We were talking but then Christian got a call, his face turned pale for a second, "Okay. We're coming.." He said as he cut the call.

"Is everything alright?" I asked tugging on his sleeves.

"Aunt Skye needs to talk to us." He said almost afraid. I wonder what happened?

It took me some time to understand that he considered my mother as his Aunt. As per usual, I don't know why and how but still, I decided to believe in him and let things go at his pace.

We went to my mother's place. She was standing in the hall with a seething look which kinda scared me. We walked closer as mother grabbed my arm and pushed me behind her and glared at Christian,

"I gave you my daughter because I believed in you that you'll protect her and take care of her but you.."

"Aunt, I-"

"Don't call me your Aunt!" Mother raised her voice. A shiver went down my spine. It's been years since I have heard her speaking loudly, this is frightening.

"You're supposed to protect her dignity! The contract was just a show, who told you to comply on it!" She shouted as tears rolled onto her cheek followed by a stream of them. She hugged me and began to cry, "Oh my child, please forgive me." She cried as she kissed my head.

"How could you do this to her. I told you she is fragile still.." She continued to cry as I hugged her back, looking at her like that made my tears fall from my eyes too.

"I didn't do it on purpose. I-" Christian tried to say something but mother cut her off,

"I don't want to hear anything! She is not a toy! How could you? You-" I don't know what took over me every time, I hear anything against him.

"Please don't talk to him like this Mother!" I shouted, hugging her tighter, holding my tears back, "No matter what he has done, he is still my husband!" I opened my mouth to say something but Mother gripped my arm as I winced in pain,

"Don't you dare to call him your husband."

"But-" She gave me a death glare that immediately shut me. I looked at Christian who was looking down in shame. He has enough regrets please stop it!

"Leave, Christian. Sophie is not coming with you." Mother announced too much to both of our surprises.

"no.." We both said at the same time and looked at each other.

"I am not leaving without her," Christian said sternly. I looked at him with my teary gaze as he looked at me sadly.

"Leave. She will stay here until I make sure that you are not going to attempt anything low like this again and receive Sophie's forgiveness." Mother stated to which I replied quickly,

"I forgive him mother, please... He can't be alone." I plead.

"He? You are still thinking about him. What about you Sophie? He defiled you!"

"He is repentant and I forgive him!" I said shutting my eyes. I know Christian is too shocked upon hearing my words but it's true. Whenever I look at him he is filled with penitence, it's almost three months since that day, It's enough. I don't want him to suffer anymore.

"You are still not going with him. Accept her as your wife and love her, Christian. And you are free to take her with you." She is indirectly saying never take me with you. We don't love each other and that thought sometimes pricked my heart.

"Fine. Just you wait for me, Sophie. I will take you back with me." He promised as a strange sensation of fluttering happiness took over me. His words filled my heart with content, I smiled weakly at him. He took a step closer as I also yanked my arm away from my mother and walked towards him,

We both smiled a little as he put his forehead against mine.

"I'll be back."

"I'll wait for you"

He pulled away and left without saying another word.

After he left, rage took over me as I turned to Mother.

"Why.."

"..did you do this?" I glared at her as she raised her eyebrow.

"When I forgave him, who are you to say all this!?" I shouted and she was taken aback by my words.

"I did this for you! Do you even know what he has done!?" She shouted back.

"I know! I am the one who bears it but.. he is not like this, Mother.." I said as I burst into tears but then looked at her outraged. "He is not like you," I said with venom.

"What?" She asked, perplexed.

"He never lied to me. He never hides things from me. He never sold me. He is far better than you!" Horror took over Mother when she heard that.

"You never told me anything about me. Keep me in the dark, take the side of the bastard who sold me!" I cried as she stood there stunned.

"Christian told me about myself. He made me feel like I can feel too, that I have a life. He told me things about me I never knew. Things you should have told me!"

"You hide things from me. You knew that Christian is using me just to fulfil his promise then why did you prevent it!? Why didn't you chose your own damn daughter over a fucking promise!" I yelled as I continued to cry.

"It's all your fault! Only if I knew the truth. I would have prepared myself mentally, but what good your secrets gave me? Tell me?!"

"Unlike you who pushed me into the abyss, he helped me, took me to light and told me who I am. Promised to keep me away from hurt. Promised to tell me everything about me."

"Why did you do this?!" I cried as tears flowed without any intention to stop.

"I was afraid. Afraid you'll hate me just because I couldn't be able to save you from this fate. I couldn't prevent that part of the deal.. forgot to keep you safe. I tried to tell you but dread took over me and before I knew it you grew older. Christian stopped coming so I thought that we went our ways and you are free but how wrong I was, Only if I have to tell you.. who you are, what you are to me. But, please remember love, I love you." She cried as her words were filled with remorse and sorrow.

I looked at her for a second and hugged her tightly,

"Please introduce me to my own self," I begged as she hugged me.

"You are my daughter. My love. Please forgive me." She stated it as a fact.

"You know I can't be angry at you. I was just..." I trailed off as mother hesitantly asked,

"Did he tell you? everything?" I slowly pulled away and looked at her and shook my head 'no'.

"He said he wants time to tell me everything."

"Shall I tell you everything?"

"No, let him finish what he started," I said.

"Can you forgive me?" Mother asked cautiously.

"I am not angry at you. I just need some time to think about... things. Leave me alone."I coldly said and left.

I was shown a random room as I fell on the bed and began to stare at the ceiling.

What am I?