Bound by fate

him! To think he could so easily dictate the terms of her life like a business deal. Every step she

ust angry-sh

e another asset in his empire. She refused to be treated like a pawn, shuffled around to suit

d the steering wheel. As she sat there, trying to catch her breath, her mind race

ly the only solution? Marrying Damian might save

fe as she knew it. She would find another solution, no matter how impossible it seemed. With

-

e had to be someone else she could turn to, another investor or business partner. She w

r stomach churn. He'd probably tell her this was the only option left. He would remind her of

feat. She wasn't going to let her li

best friend, Natalie. Natalie had always been the voice of reason in Sophia's life, the one who encouraged her to stand up

-

had turned dark, and her frustration had only grown. She

widened at the sight of Sophia's dish

the living room as Natalie closed the door behind her. "It's

se. "Wait, the Damian Bla

agreed to it. My family's business is on the verge of ban

l, he's kind of a monster, isn't he? I've heard all sorts of stories about

d off like some kind of prize. But I don't know what else to do. My

er way. Maybe we can find another investor or get a loan to keep your family's

oice softening as the weight of the situation pressed down on her. "But nothing

figure this out. You don't have to go through with this if it's not

yet. She would explore every option, every avenue, before even thinking a

-

er car with the engine off, staring into the darkness. Her phone buz

tell him what she was really feeling-that she was scared, angry, and determined t

steely determination filling her heart. She wasn't going to let Damian B

time to fight-an

s her mind raced. Each turn brought her farther from the mansion and the suffocating reality of

to Damian Blackwood-a man who saw her as nothing more than a tool in his business empire. Sophia had always been independent, always fo

ssage from her father. This time, the words were more urgent, more pleading. "S

ver again, her heart twisting painfully. She knew how much her father had sacrificed for their f

bove her, indifferent to her turmoil. Her thoughts wandered back to Damian, the way his cold

ck to him. She cou

d dialed a number she hadn't called in years. The

Is that r

her voice steady. "I nee

-

ad distanced himself from the family years ago after a falling out with her father, but Sophia had always admired his independent spirit. H

conversation low, and the air smelled of fresh coffee and baked bread. Uncle Peter sat at a

standing up to give her a hug. "It's been

family business is in trouble. We're on the verge of bankruptcy, and..." She hesitated, the weight of he

ading. "Damian Blackwood, huh? I've heard of h

nd my father thinks this is the only way to save us. But I can't d

ke. "Your father's made his choices, Sophia. But that doesn't mean you have to follow them. You've a

phia said, her voice firm.

n Blackwood is powerful, no doubt. But power is never without weakn

nd racing. "His weakne

position has something they fear, something they protect at all costs.

ed. "Are you saying I

ats or blackmail. It's about understanding your opponent. Right now, Damian holds all the cards b

outmaneuver someone like Damian Blackwood? The idea seemed impossible

u want to save your family without becoming his pawn? Then you ne

eakness was yet, but she was going to find out. And when she did, she would make s

id, standing up with renewed pur

ath ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: she wasn't going to be a victim of circumstance. D