(Sophia's POV)

"Alexander, I just landed and will be at City Hall in half an hour."

I hit send and felt a smile tug at my lips. Today was the day. After five years together-from our college romance to our engagement-Alexander and I were finally getting our marriage license.

My heart raced with anticipation as I grabbed my luggage and headed toward the exit.

I went straight from the airport to City Hall, my hands trembling slightly with excitement.

Getting this appointment had taken half a month of trying. The date was perfect, meaningful to both of us.

But when I arrived at the bureau, Alexander wasn't there.

I checked my phone. No messages.

I called him. No answer.

I called again. Still nothing.

My stomach twisted into knots as I stood outside the building, watching other couples walk in hand-in-hand, their faces glowing with happiness.

Twenty minutes passed. Then thirty.

I kept calling, my fingers growing cold despite the warm weather.

Finally, on my fifteenth attempt, he picked up.

"Alexander! Where are you? I've been waiting-"

"I can't make it." His voice was flat, emotionless. "Let's reschedule."

The words hit me like a slap.

"What? But we've been planning this for-"

"Bella, come on, everyone's waiting downstairs!" A woman's voice cut through the phone, bright and cheerful.

My blood turned to ice.

Isabella. The Blackwood family's adopted daughter of eighteen years.

"Alexander, who was that?" I forced the words out through numb lips.

"We'll talk later, Sophia. I have to go."

"Alexander, wait-"

The line went dead.

I stood there, phone pressed to my ear, unable to move. Around me, couples continued streaming into the bureau, their laughter echoing in my ears like mockery.

My phone buzzed with a text message.

Isabella: "Hi Sophia! Sorry about the confusion. Alexander threw me a welcome-back party last night and had too much to drink. He crashed at my place. We're heading to brunch now-want to join us?"

Each word felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

He spent the night at her place. On the day we were supposed to get married.

My hands shook as I typed back: "Where?"

Isabella: "Moon Club, VIP room 308. See you soon! "

I stared at that heart emoji until my vision blurred.

Then I hailed a cab.

Moon Club was in the heart of Manhattan, a playground for the wealthy elite.

I'd been here before with Alexander, back when he actually wanted to be seen with me.

The elevator ride to the third floor felt endless.

When I reached room 308, I heard voices and laughter spilling through the door, which someone had left slightly ajar.

I stopped just outside, my hand frozen on the handle.

"Can't believe Alexander ditched his own wedding registration for this," a male voice said with a laugh.

"Come on, Trevor. You know he never loved Sophia." That was Brandon, one of Alexander's closest friends. "His heart's always belonged to Isabella."

"Then why get engaged to Sophia in the first place?"

"Old man Theodore wouldn't allow Alexander to be with Isabella. You know how traditional he is about family bloodlines." Brandon's voice dripped with disdain. "Sophia was just... convenient."

My chest tightened until I couldn't breathe.

"Poor girl probably thinks he actually loves her," another voice chimed in.

"She's pathetic, honestly. Everyone can see Alexander only has eyes for Isabella."

Laughter erupted from inside the room.

The door opened suddenly, and Trevor stepped out, nearly colliding with me.

His eyes widened. "Sophia! I didn't-"

"Excuse me." I pushed past him into the room.

The laughter died instantly.

Alexander sat at the head of the table, Isabella beside him, her hand resting casually on his arm.

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, something flickered across his face. Surprise? Guilt?

"Sophia, what are you doing here?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"I came to tell you something." My voice came out steadier than I expected. "I don't want to get the marriage license anymore."

Isabella immediately stood up. "Sophia, please, sit down. Let's talk about this-"

"Don't." Alexander grabbed Isabella's wrist, pulling her back down. "Sophia, don't make a scene in front of Isabella."

Don't make a scene in front of Isabella.

Not "I'm sorry." Not "let me explain."

Just... don't upset Isabella.

"We're just siblings, Sophia," Isabella said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You're misunderstanding everything."

"Siblings who spend the night together?" The words tasted bitter on my tongue.

"She's explaining herself to you," Alexander said coldly. "Don't be disrespectful."

Brandon leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Face it, Sophia. You love Alexander way more than he loves you. If old Theodore hadn't forbidden Isabella and Alexander from being together, you'd never have had a chance at marrying into the Blackwood family."

The others nodded in agreement.

Alexander's jaw tightened. "Sophia, apologize to Isabella. Now."

I looked at him-really looked at him-and saw a stranger.

Five years. Five years of my life given to a man who saw me as nothing more than a placeholder.

Something inside me snapped.

"I, Sophia Bennett, swear to God," I said, my voice ringing clear through the room, "that I will absolutely never get a marriage license or marry Alexander Blackwood."

Alexander's face darkened. "Sophia-"

"And if I break this oath," I continued, my eyes locked on his, "may Alexander Blackwood be impotent for the rest of his life!"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Isabella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

Brandon choked on his drink.

Alexander stood up so fast his chair toppled backward. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me." I turned on my heel and walked toward the door.

"Sophia!" Alexander's roar followed me out.

But I didn't stop.