Love or the Contract :The Reluctant Bride – A Storm of Anger and Control
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Sophie Monteiro was furious. ⚡
Her clenched fists mirrored the storm raging inside her—a mix of indignation and determination. She walked with quick, resolute steps through her father’s luxurious office, surrounded by the cold gleam of the skyscrapers towering over the city. Her green eyes sparkled with restrained anger as she replayed the conversation she had just had with the man who was supposed to be her greatest protector.
Sebastian Monteiro, the real estate tycoon, looked at her with an unshakable expression, as if the outrageous proposal he had just made were the most natural thing in the world.
— “Sophie, my daughter, you know what’s at stake. If you refuse this alliance with the Vasconcellos, we’ll be ruined. You need to marry that man.”
Those words echoed in her mind like a challenge. She had always known her father was a ruthless businessman, but she never imagined he would be capable of using her as a pawn in such a dirty power game. Sophie refused to accept that reality. She would not be controlled, would not be subdued by her father’s sick hunger for power. She was strong, independent, and she would not bow to cheap emotional blackmail.
Then the door burst open with a loud snap, revealing the imposing figure of Dante Vasconcellos. His blue eyes met hers with a mix of curiosity and disdain, as if he knew he was stirring up something far greater than a mere convenience contract. Sophie felt the heat of her anger rise, feeding the flame of contempt burning in her chest.
— “Ah, the reluctant bride.”
Dante’s voice was soft, but laced with irony. He stepped forward, his dominant presence filling the space between them. Sophie didn’t back down, holding his gaze with steady defiance.
— “Looks like we’ve got a long road ahead of us, don’t we?”
She clenched her jaw, fighting the urge to slap that smug smile off Dante’s face. But she held back, reminding herself she had to keep her composure—at least for now. She took a deep breath, controlling the torrent of emotions threatening to spill over.
— “Let’s get one thing straight, Mr. Vasconcellos. I’m not here for games or to stroke your overblown ego. If you really want me to accept this insane proposal, you’ll have to prove it’s worth it. And believe me—it won’t be easy.”
Sophie’s voice was firm, laced with resolve and defiance. Dante watched her closely, as if he were assessing her, weighing her words and her stance. A half-smile played on his lips, a glimmer of admiration flashing in his icy eyes.
— “You’ve got guts, Sophie Monteiro. But be careful what you wish for—you just might get it.”
The silence that followed was thick with tension. Sophie could feel the heavy air between them, as if every word spoken had been a precisely calculated blow. Dante Vasconcellos crossed his arms, his relaxed expression clashing with the intensity in his eyes. He looked… amused. That only fueled her anger.
— “I’m not playing games, Mr. Vasconcellos,” Sophie said, her voice sharp as a blade. “And I hope you’re not either.”
He tilted his head slightly to the side, studying her. Then he stepped closer, deliberately invading her space.
— “I never play when it comes to business, Miss Monteiro. And clearly, neither do you. That’s good. A marriage needs balance, don’t you think?”
She rolled her eyes, folding her arms.
— “If you think you can win me over with this power game, you’re badly mistaken. I know exactly who you are. I know men like you feed off submission, off absolute control over everything around you. But I’m not one of your puppets.”
Dante let out a low chuckle, as if genuinely entertained by her resistance.
— “Interesting. Then I wonder… why are you still here?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge. “Because if your family weren’t on the verge of collapse, I imagine you’d have already walked away.”
Sophie felt a knot form in her stomach. What irritated her most wasn’t his condescending tone—it was the fact that he was right. She took a deep breath. She couldn’t lose control. Not in front of him.
— “I’m here because I have to be,” she said, her voice steady. “But that doesn’t mean I like it.”
Dante smiled again, this time a slow smile filled with something Sophie didn’t want to name.
— “Good. Because I don’t like it either.”
She blinked, caught off guard.
— “Excuse me?”
He shrugged.
— “The last thing I ever wanted was to get married. But certain circumstances demand sacrifices. So believe me, Miss Monteiro, if this arrangement bothers you, know that it bothers me just as much.”
Sophie clenched her jaw. She had expected everything from him—arrogance, coldness, absolute control. But not this. Not honesty.
— “So we agree on something,” she muttered. “Neither of us wants this.”
Dante looked at her, and for the first time in that encounter, his expression turned serious.
— “But we’re going to make it happen.”
Sophie didn’t respond. Because deep down, she knew he was right. No matter how much she hated it. She had no choice.
