unlikely partners

The gala was everything Sophie had expected and more. The high ceilings and crystal chandeliers, the endless stream of perfectly dressed people, all mingling in an atmosphere thick with power and ambition. Sophie had never felt more out of place in her life, a small, uncertain figure standing beside the titan that was Tony Hunter.

As they moved through the crowd, Tony's presence seemed to command every room they entered. Heads turned when they passed, whispers followed in their wake, and Sophie, despite her best efforts, couldn't shake the feeling of being observed under a microscope.

It was clear that Tony was the focal point of the evening. He spoke to CEOs, investors, and important figures with ease, his words measured and his smile calculating. He didn't even look at her most of the time, as if their contract—this facade of a marriage—was nothing more than a formality to him.

But that didn't mean Sophie was ignored.

Every now and then, she would catch people's curious eyes drifting toward her. She felt like a trophy on display, a woman dressed in the finest clothes, standing at the side of a man who owned this world. But it wasn't admiration she felt in their gazes—it was scrutiny.

Sophie had never cared about wealth or status, but now she was keenly aware of how she was perceived. She felt out of her depth, trapped in a world of polished smiles and empty pleasantries.

At one point, Tony stepped away to speak with one of his business partners, leaving Sophie to stand alone by the refreshment table. She tried to blend into the background, but it was impossible. Everywhere she turned, people whispered and watched.

"Is that Mrs. Hunter?" one woman murmured, her voice dripping with intrigue.

Sophie froze, feeling the sting of judgment in the question. She hated the way they spoke about her as though she were a stranger, a subject of gossip.

Another voice, male this time, commented, "I heard Tony was a cold one, but that woman's been by his side for weeks. Must be some sort of business deal."

Sophie didn't know what stung more—the assumption or the truth behind it. She wasn't sure what this marriage had been for Tony, but for her, it was still a survival strategy, nothing more.

She turned to leave the table, desperate to escape the small, judging world she had stepped into. But as she moved through the crowd, she was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Sophie."

She froze, recognizing the deep, commanding tone of Tony's voice. She hadn't noticed him return to her side.

"You alright?" he asked, his expression unreadable, but there was a touch of something—concern?—hidden beneath the usual mask of indifference.

Sophie forced a smile. "Fine. Just… adjusting."

Tony's eyes flickered over her, as though studying her for signs of distress. He gave a short nod, then turned toward the people who had been watching her. Sophie followed his gaze and felt a new wave of discomfort ripple through her. They had been talking about her, and he had heard.

He didn't say anything, though. Instead, he led her into the center of the ballroom, away from the crowd, as if to reclaim her from the invisible whispers that seemed to follow her wherever she went.

As they stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by the music and chatter of the gala, Tony's hand brushed against hers for a moment, just enough to make her heart flutter unexpectedly.

"You're doing fine," he said quietly, almost as if to reassure himself as much as her.

Sophie didn't respond right away, her thoughts swirling with conflicting emotions. She wasn't sure if she could trust him, not when he seemed to care only about appearances, only about the deal they had made. And yet, in this moment, there was something different in his voice—something that made her wonder if there was more to him than the man who had sealed her fate with a contract.

But before she could gather her thoughts, a sudden movement caught her eye. A woman, tall, impeccably dressed, and dripping with confidence, approached them. Sophie recognized her instantly—the woman was Isabelle Ford, Tony's ex-fiancée. The very woman who had been the source of much of the tension between Tony and Sophie since the beginning.

Tony's face shifted ever so slightly, his lips tightening into a thin line. Sophie immediately felt the tension between them rise.

Isabelle's eyes slid over Sophie, a barely concealed smirk playing on her lips. "Tony," she said, her voice smooth and warm. "It's been a while."

Tony's response was cool, his voice distant. "Isabelle. I didn't expect you here."

The two exchanged pleasantries, but Sophie could feel the unspoken history between them, thick in the air. Isabelle's eyes flicked to Sophie once more, lingering just a second too long before she turned her attention back to Tony.

"Well, it's good to see you both," Isabelle said, her smile never faltering. "I suppose it's true what they say—marriage changes a man."

Sophie's stomach tightened at the implication. The last thing she wanted was to be a part of this game of manipulation, of power plays between people who had no respect for her.

Tony, however, didn't react, his expression unreadable. "It does," he said simply, his hand briefly brushing against Sophie's back as if to mark his territory.

Sophie's heart pounded, the tension between the three of them palpable. She had known Tony had a past, but seeing Isabelle in person, so poised and confident, made Sophie feel small. Unimportant. A shadow in Tony's world.

Isabelle turned to leave, but not without one final glance at Sophie. "Take care, Sophie," she said with a knowing smile, as if daring her to challenge what was happening between her and Tony.

Sophie didn't say anything in return. She simply stood there, her mind racing, wondering just how deep this game went—and whether she could ever really be a part of Tony's world.

When Isabelle was gone, Tony turned to her, his expression neutral. "Ignore her," he said, his voice low, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of something, an unspoken warning.

Sophie nodded, but the words hung in the air between them: Ignore her. But can you really ignore everything this world represents?