“And you let me!” she shot back, her voice rising. “In fact, it wasyouwho forced me!”
Her chest heaved, her face flushed with anger.
“Do you think your actions were good enough for me to stay as your wife?” she demanded. “You were showing up at hotelswith other women! Did you really think I wouldn’t care that my husband was in rooms with someone else?”
“I explained that to you!” Magnus snapped, frustration breaking through. “I had nothing to do with that woman. I don’t even remember her name anymore!”
“You explained it when it was too late!” Sophia shot back immediately. “Did you ever once tell me you liked me?”
Her eyes glistened, but her voice stayed sharp.
“We were married by contract,” she continued. “And you made sure to follow it like a rule. So what did you expect me to do? Beg you to extend it? Ask for another contract?”
“To hell with that damn contract!” Magnus roared, his grip tightening on her.
His voice dropped, raw and intense.
“I love you.”
The words hit hard.
“I’ve loved you since the moment I met you.”
Sophia stilled.
Her breath caught.
Her heart pounded uncontrollably against her chest—
But the anger in her eyes didn’t fade.
Her face burned red as she stared at him.
A moment later, the agitation on Magnus’s face slowly faded. His shoulders dropped slightly, and when he spoke again, his voice was lower. Rougher.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
The words came out quieter this time.
“I just… I know it was my fault.” He dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “I should have done better.”
His gaze dropped for a second before lifting back to hers.
“I just wanted to see if you’d get jealous,” he admitted, a bitter frown tugging at his lips. “It was stupid. Childish.”
He let out a harsh breath.
“I was wrong.” His voice turned firm despite the softness. “Please forgive me. I won’t do it again. I promise.”
Sophia swallowed hard.
For a brief second, the sincerity in his face shook her.
But just as quickly, her expression hardened again.
She pushed against his chest, forcing distance between them.
“No,” she said, her voice cold. “I don’t want anything to do with you again.”
