Captive Princess (Sophia) novel Chapter 10

“Thanks,” I said, staring up at the ceiling. “I’ll pay you back for the medical bills in ten days.”

Vincent frowned. “What are you talking about? What’s in ten days?”

“I said I’ll pay you back,” I turned to look at him, my gaze flat. “And for the cost of my stay at your place. I’ll settle it all at once.”

Vincent’s expression was strained. “Sophia, you don’t have to keep score with me.”

“Why not?” my voice was devoid of emotion. “We were never anything to each other, were we?”

The room fell silent for a few long seconds.

Vincent seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he just said, “Get some rest.”

For the next few days, Vincent did stay at the hospital to look after me.

He checked on me regularly, made sure the nurses gave me my medication on time, and even tested the temperature of my food before letting me eat it.

But I remained cold and distant.

I didn’t cry, didn’t throw tantrums, didn’t demand his attention. I treated him like a kind stranger, polite but utterly detached.

This new version of me seemed to make Vincent uncomfortable.

On the third afternoon, Vincent sat in the chair by my bed, watching me listlessly flip through a magazine.

“Sophia,” he began.

“Hmm?” I didn’t look up.

“Miss Isabella fell down the stairs! She’s hurt badly!”

The color drained from Vincent’s face.

He shot to his feet. “I have to go handle something,” he said quickly.

He walked to the door, then glanced back at me. “I’ll be back to check on you later.”

I listened to his hurried footsteps fade down the hall and closed my eyes, a wave of profound exhaustion washing over me.

Isabella had once again succeeded in taking Vincent away from me.

And I no longer had the strength to fight for him.

In a week, he’d be free to be with her anyway.