Exactly Five years ago, Sophia walked away from her marriage to billionaire tycoon Alexander Blackwood, heartbroken and betrayed. Now, she's rebuilt her life as a successful entrepreneur, determined to never look back. But when Alexander reappears, offering her a lucrative business deal, Sophia is forced to confront the man who shattered her heart. Alexander has everything any one could crave for, wealth, power, and influence, but he's haunted by the one thing he lost out of mistake: Sophia. Realizing his mistake too late, he's determined to win her back, no matter the cost, no matter the fight. But Sophia isn't the same woman she was before. She's stronger, fiercer, and unwilling to forgive him or even give him any chances.
Chapter 1 Sophia's New Life
The morning sun made it way through the curtains, painting Sophia's penthouse in soft golden light. She stood in front of her closet, hands on her hips, staring at the rows of perfectly tailored outfits she wore. Today was really a big day. A huge day to be said.
"Sophia! You're going to be late!" Elena's voice rang out from the living room, sharp and impatient.
Sophia rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "I'm coming, I'm coming! Hold your horses!"
She grabbed a sleek black blazer and paired it with a crisp white blouse. Perfect. Professional. Powerful. Just the way she liked it. Just the way that it should have fitted.
Elena burst into the room, her arms crossed. "You know, some of us have been up since. Coffee's cold, by the way."
Sophia smirked, slipping on her favorite pair of heels. "You're such a drama queen. It's not even eight yet."
"Yeah, well, some of us don't have the luxury of sleeping in," Elena shot back, tossing her dark curls over her shoulder.
Sophia laughed, grabbing her bag from the kept spot. "Sleeping in? I was up at five going over the numbers for the merger. But sure, keep complaining."
Elena followed her out of the room, still muttering under her own breath. "Five? Try four. I was at the office before the sun even thought about rising."
Sophia paused at the door, turning to face her best friend. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Elena grinned. "And you're late. Let's go, boss lady."
******
The drive to the office was a blur of city streets and honking cars. Sophia sat in the backseat of her sleek black car, scrolling through emails on her tablet.
"You nervous?" Elena asked, breaking the silence in the car.
Sophia didn't look up but still managed to answer the question. "About what?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that you're about to sign a deal with Blackwood Enterprises? Ring any bells?"
Sophia sighed, setting the tablet aside. "It's just business and nothing else, Elena, there's nothing to be nervous about."
Elena raised an eyebrow, giving a spektical expression. "Just business? Sophia, this is Alexander Blackwood we're talking about. Your ex-husband. The man who broke your heart into a million tiny pieces. Ring any bells now?"
Sophia's jaw tightened, but she kept her voice calm and a little bit sharper than the last. "That was five years ago, Elena. I'm over it. Over him. Over with the past"
Elena snorted already. "Sure you are done with it. That's why you've been pacing your penthouse since 5 a.m."
Sophia shot her a glare. "I was working."
"Uh-huh. And I'm the Queen of England."
Sophia couldn't help laughing. "You're insufferable."
"And you're deflecting."
The car pulled up to the sleek glass building that housed CARTER LUXE, Sophia's pride and joy. She took a deep breath, smoothing her blazer.
"Ready?" Elena asked, her tone softer now, and also adding a more serious expression.
Sophia nodded. "Let's do this."
The whole office buzzed with energy as Sophia stepped off the elevator. Employees hurried past, their arms full of files and coffee cups. Sophia loved this, the whole morning chaos, the excitement, the feeling of being in control.
"Morning, Ms. Carter!" a young intern called out, nearly dropping her stack of papers.
Sophia smiled. "Morning, Sarah. Deep breaths, okay? You've got this."
The girl nodded, her cheeks turning pink with a blush. "Thank you, Ms. Carter!"
Elena leaned in as they walked. "You're such a softie than you should."
Sophia shrugged. "She's nervous. I remember what that felt like."
"Yeah, well, don't go getting all sentimental on me. We've got a meeting in ten."
Sophia's smile faded as they reached the conference room. She could see the Blackwood Enterprises team through the glass walls, sharp suits, confident smiles, and at the center of it all, him.
Alexander Blackwood.
Her ex-husband. The man who had once been her everything.
Elena squeezed her arm. "You okay?"
Sophia nodded, her voice steady. "I'm fine. Let's get this over with."
The room fell silent as Sophia walked in, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Alexander stood, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
"Sophia," he said, his voice smooth and deep.
"Alexander," she replied, her tone cool and professional.
He extended his hand, and she shook it, her grip firm. His hand was warm, familiar, and for a split second, she felt a flicker of something she hadn't felt in years.
"It's been a while," he said, his gaze searching hers.
"Five years," she replied, pulling her hand away with a weird smile. "Shall we get started?"
He nodded, gesturing to the table. "After you."
Sophia took her seat, her back straight, her expression unreadable. She wouldn't let him see how much he still affected her. She wouldn't give him that power.
The meeting began, and Sophia focused on the numbers, the terms, the details. But every now and then, she could feel Alexander's eyes on her, watching, waiting.
"So, Ms. Carter," he said, leaning back in his chair. "What do you think of our proposal?"
Sophia met his gaze, her voice steady. "It's a solid offer you have. But I have a few conditions."
Alexander's lips curved into a faint smile. "Of course you do."
Elena shot Sophia a look, but she ignored it. This was her company, her life, and she wasn't about to let Alexander Blackwood waltz back in and take control.
Not again.
By the time the meeting ended, Sophia's nerves were frayed, but she kept her composure. She shook hands with the Blackwood Enterprises team, her smile polite but distant.
Alexander lingered as the others filed out, his eyes on hers. "Sophia, can we talk?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Of course."
Elena gave her a pointed look before leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
Alexander stepped closer, his voice low and menacing. "It's good to see you."
Sophia crossed her arms, her tone cool and formal. "Is it?"
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I know things didn't end well between us. But I've changed, Sophia. I've grown."
She raised an eyebrow. "Have you?"
"Yes," he said, his gaze intense. "And I want to make things right between us both. Starting with this partnership."
Sophia studied him, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to believe him, but the scars of their past were still too fresh for her to just forget.
"We'll see," she said finally, stepping back. "Goodbye, Alexander."
He nodded, his expression unreadable. "Goodbye, Sophia."
As she walked out of the room, Sophia took a deep breath, her mind racing. This was just business. Nothing more.
But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that Alexander Blackwood was about to turn her world upside down again.
Other books by k josh
More