Captive Princess (Sophia) novel Chapter 36

Inside the black car, Sophia sat in the passenger seat, calmly looking out the window. Vincent was in the driver’s seat, his tie crooked, his eyes bloodshot. He had never looked so disheveled.

“The recordings… I made them, but not to blackmail you,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I just… wanted to keep them for myself.”

“The jail incident… I had things arranged. I never intended for you to get hurt. I didn’t know Isabella would use my name to

have people torture you.”

“I didn’t let you in my study because I was afraid you’d find the things I’d kept of yours. As for Isabella’s photos, she paid a maid to put them there.”

“Isabella and Maria have been married off to that old mafia boss in Chicago. They’ll never see the light of day again. And the Romano family name has been erased.”

He explained everything, one detail at a time. When he finished, Sophia just asked quietly, “And?”

Vincent froze.

“And-” his voice trembled, “-come back with me.”

“Sophia, it’s always been you. I love you.”

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Chapter 18

+25 BONUS

Sophia smiled. It was a faint smile, but it felt like a dull knife sawing at Vincent’s heart.

“Vincent, you knew my situation,” she said softly. “But you still chose to side with Isabella, again and again. Even if you don’t

“I don’t hate you, but I won’t love you again either.”

She took a gold–leafed invitation from her purse and handed it to him. “My wedding to Alexander is in three days.”

“A man with your pride would never stoop to begging for my forgiveness. So let’s both keep our pride.”

“Let’s have a clean break.”

With that, she opened the car door and walked toward Alexander, who was waiting by the road, never once looking back.

Vincent sat in the car, watching her leave, and suddenly remembered the first time he saw her. She was in a red dress, proud and radiant, a fire that had burned its way into his black–and–white world.

And now, that fire was gone.