Chapter 3: Love is a Luxury We Can't Afford

The sound of a car engine cutting off in the driveway below made Sophia lift her head from her hands. Through the balcony windows, she could see Damien's black sedan parked in the circular drive, headlights still glowing in the early evening darkness.

Hope fluttered in her chest like a desperate bird. Damien would help her. He had to.

Despite his cold exterior, he was the only real family she had left. When he learned that Marcus didn't love her, that this whole engagement was just business, he'd stand by her side. He'd have to.

Margaret's voice drifted up from the foyer below. "Mr. Crawford, you're back. Miss Sophia returned from the dress fitting earlier, but she's been quite upset. She's locked herself in her room."

Damien's voice, flat and tired. "I see. I have some paperwork to handle in the study. Don't disturb me."

Sophia wiped her tears and took a shaky breath. This was her last chance. She had to make Damien understand what Marcus really was.

She crept to her bedroom door and opened it carefully, checking that the hallway was empty before slipping toward the study. Each step down the corridor felt like walking toward salvation.

Damien would understand. When he learned Marcus only wanted to use their family name, he'd protect her. They were family. He wouldn't let her marry someone like that.

The study door was half-open, warm light spilling into the hallway. Sophia could hear low voices inside. Damien wasn't alone. She raised her hand to knock, then froze as words reached her ears.

"Mr. Crawford, we've prepared all the documents like you asked," an unfamiliar male voice was saying. "Once Miss Sophia gets married tomorrow, control of the Ashford family trust fund automatically transfers to Mr. Clayton."

"What percentage?" Damien's voice was cold and businesslike.

"Eighty percent. The remaining twenty percent stays with Miss Sophia as personal property, but her husband will manage it."

Sophia's grip tightened on the doorframe. What the hell was this? Trust fund control? When had this been decided?

"Does Sophia know about any of this?" Damien asked.

"Of course not. Like you requested, we haven't told her any details. She thinks this is just an ordinary arranged marriage."

Damien's laugh was bitter. "She's always been naive. Makes things easier."

The lawyer continued. "Also, regarding the property transfer documents for the Ashford estate and that downtown office building, we have those ready too. Six months after the wedding, those assets will officially transfer to Clayton Tech."

"Good," Damien said simply. "That should clear our family's debts completely."

The world spun around Sophia. They were selling the estate too? This house where she'd grown up, where all her memories with her father lived?

"Mr. Crawford, I should remind you that these operations are in a legal gray area. If Miss Sophia ever finds out..."

Damien's voice stayed perfectly calm. "She won't find out. Sophia never cares about business stuff. As long as she believes she married for love, she'll be happy playing house."

He paused, his voice growing even colder. "And even if she does find out... that's her fate. The Ashford family doesn't have the luxury of choice anymore."

Sophia's mind reeled. My fate? That's all I am to you, Damien? A pawn to be sacrificed?

She couldn't take any more. Fury and heartbreak exploded in her chest as she shoved the study door open and burst inside.

"Enough!"

Both Damien and the lawyer jumped. The lawyer quickly gathered the papers from the desk while Damien's face went stone-cold.

"Sophia," Damien said calmly. "When did you get home?"

"Long enough ago," she said, tears streaming down her face. "Long enough to hear plenty."

Damien nodded at the lawyer. "You can go."

The man hurried out with his documents, leaving them alone in the study. The silence stretched between them like a chasm.

"What are those papers?" Sophia demanded, pointing at the desk with a trembling hand. "What have you been planning behind my back?"

Damien turned away from her, staring out the window at the darkening garden. "Sophia, you're too naive. This is reality. We need Marcus's money."

"Reality?" Sophia couldn't believe what she was hearing. "This is your reality? Selling me like I'm some piece of merchandise?"

Damien turned back to face her, his gray-green eyes completely emotionless. "Love is a luxury we can't afford."

"Damien, I'm your sister!" Sophia cried, grabbing his arm. "How can you do this to me?"

Damien's body went rigid. He jerked his arm away from her touch like she'd burned him, his face twisting with something that looked almost like pain.

"Because you're my sister," he said, his voice shaking slightly, "I have to do this."

Sophia stared at him in confusion. "What does that mean? Damien, what are you saying?"

Damien turned away again. For a split second, anguish flashed across his features before the ice returned. "Sophia, you don't understand. Some things... some feelings shouldn't exist."

His voice grew colder with each word. "This marriage is good for everyone. For you, for me, for the whole family."

"Damien, what's wrong with you?" Sophia searched his face desperately. "You're not like this."

"You don't know what kind of person I really am," he said, not meeting her eyes. "I've only ever cared about family interests. I've only ever seen you as... as a responsibility."

He paused, forcing the final words out between gritted teeth. "Nothing more."

Damien's heart shattered as the lie left his lips. I'm sorry, Sophia. But keeping you away from me might be the only right choice.

"So this is your decision?" Sophia's voice cracked. "You'll watch me marry a man who doesn't love me, all for money?"

Damien clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. "Yes. Tomorrow you'll marry Marcus, become Mrs. Clayton, and forget the Ashford name forever."

His voice turned cruel. "It's better for everyone."

Sophia stared at him for a long moment, then turned and fled from the study.

She wandered the estate like a ghost, drifting from room to room. The living room where she'd read with her father as a child. The garden where she'd planted flowers with Margaret. Past Damien's bedroom where he used to comfort her nightmares when they were young.

All of it had been lies. Marcus didn't love her. Damien saw her as merchandise. She was nothing but a chess piece in everyone else's game.

Her phone buzzed constantly with calls from Emma, but Sophia didn't have the strength to answer. What would she say? That her entire life had been built on lies?

Back in her bedroom, she sat at her desk and picked up a pen.

"If anyone reads this letter, it means I'm gone. I discovered my whole life was built on lies. I'm not loved. I'm just used. Rather than be a tool in someone else's hands, I choose my own ending."

She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Pale, hollow-eyed, empty. The girl who'd believed in fairy tales was already dead.

Grabbing her car keys, Sophia made a decision. She would return to where it all started. That bridal shop where her world had shattered.

The boutique was closed and dark, but Sophia knew about the emergency stairs that led to the roof. She climbed slowly, each step heavier than the last.

On the rooftop, wind whipped through her hair as she looked down at the street below. Her phone showed fifteen missed calls from Emma. She hesitated, then put it away without calling back.

A wave of guilt toward Emma washed over her. Sorry, Emma. I can't drag you into this dirty game too. This ending is better for everyone.

She closed her eyes and took a step forward...