Chapter 5 First Dibs
Blinking open her eyes, Sophia woke to find the bed next to her empty. She shifted slightly, her arm sliding across the mattress until her hand brushed over the cold sheets. A faint frown tugged at her brows as she squinted around the room, her thoughts slow and hazy with sleep.
Rubbing her eyes, she pushed herself up and nudged the blanket aside, the fabric slipping down as she sat up. She paused for a second, steadying herself, then swung her legs over the edge of the bed, bare feet touching the floor.
That was when her gaze dropped—to herself.
Naked.
Instantly, the last remnants of sleep fled. Her heart jumped into her throat, and panic washed over her. She yanked the blanket up to cover herself, wide-eyed and horrified.
“What the—? I’m naked!” she gasped, pulling the blanket tighter.
Her mind raced, piecing together fragments of the previous night.
The memories hit her all at once—Magnus, the bar, the kiss, the bedroom… the bed.
Her eyes widened. Her mouth fell open as a sharp breath tore out of her chest, so sudden it caught in her throat. She coughed, bending forward instinctively, one hand flying up to brace herself against the mattress.
Her heart hammered wildly as the memories stitched themselves together far too clearly.
“Oh my God, I slept with Magnus?” she whispered, a hand pressed against her mouth as if to hold back a scream.
Her face burned as the reality set in. “How could I do that?” she whispered frantically. “What is wrong with me? I couldn’t control myself… I saw him… naked… and I just—he already said nothing will happen between us, and I forced myself on him?! We’re just in a contract marriage! I—he doesn’t like anyone getting close… and I got drunk and—God!”
The memory of pushing him onto the bed, climbing over him, and forcing herself on him made her shiver. Her hands flew to her face, nails scratching lightly as she whispered, her voice trembling:
“I’m dead… completely dead.”
By the afternoon, she finally got dressed and went downstairs, her heart still racing with anxiety, half-expecting to run into Magnus at any moment. Instead, the house was quiet. He had already left for the office.
Relief washed over her in a slow breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She forced herself to eat a light lunch, then took her time steadying her nerves before heading out to work at Centurion Hall.
The first round of auctions passed in a blur. Returning to her office, she looked around—but Emma was nowhere to be found. Usually, she would be waiting in the office for her, working on her own laptop.
“Where did she go?” Sophia whispered to herself, frowning. “I haven’t seen her since morning.”
She pulled out her phone and dialed Emma’s number. The line rang a few times, but there was no answer. She tried again—still nothing. Worry began to creep in.
Across town, Timothy was in Magnus’s office, standing near the desk as Magnus flipped through files, signing documents. When his phone rang, he glanced at the screen.
Sophia’s name flashed brightly.
Without answering the call, he looked at Magnus, “Sir… It’s Mrs. Graves.”
Hearing Sophia’s name, Magnus froze mid-signature, his hand hovering over the file he was about to sign. His body went rigid, and he leaned back slightly, his expression tense. His brows knitted as he glanced at Timothy, then motioned for him to pick up the call.
Timothy gave a brief nod and swiped the phone to answer, immediately putting it on loudspeaker.
“Mrs. Graves, good afternoon,” Timothy said professionally.
“Timothy, did you see if Emma left the bar safely last night?” Sophia’s voice came fast and tense, her concern clear. “I’ve been trying to reach her, but she’s not picking up. I… I’m worried.”
Timothy cleared his throat. “Yes, Mrs. Graves. I saw Miss Creed get into a car. The driver seemed to know her personally, so I’mcertain it was her family. I believe she reached home safely. She’s probably asleep now, given how drunk she was last night.”
Sophia let out a slow, relieved breath. Her shoulders relaxed. “Thank you… that’s a relief.”
There was a pause on the line. Timothy’s eyes flicked to Magnus, who remained still and nonchalant, but the tension in his body was unmistakable. Timothy forced himself to hide the smirk that was threatening to break free seeing Magnus’s tense, silent reaction.
