14

**Sofia**

The days after signing the contract were a mix of anxiety and frantic preparations. The civil wedding was scheduled for the following week, and it seemed there were countless details to sort out. Logan and I met almost daily to discuss formalities and finalize the details of our agreement.

The night before the civil wedding, I was sitting at the kitchen table in my apartment, surrounded by papers and to-do lists. Clara, my younger sister, walked into the kitchen, bringing with her an aura of concern.

“Are you okay, Sofia?” she asked, looking at the documents spread out in front of me.

“Yes, I’m just trying to make sure everything is in order for tomorrow,” I replied, trying to hide my apprehension.

Clara sat down next to me, her eyes full of curiosity and concern. “This marriage… are you sure it’s the right thing to do?”

I took a deep breath, looking at my younger sister. “It’s the best solution for us right now, Clara. Logan is a man who can help us solve many problems. And it’s just for a year.”

She nodded slowly, but I could see her doubts remained. “Just be careful, Sofia. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I smiled, gently touching her hand. “I’ll be fine. We’ll get through this together.”

The next morning, I woke up with a knot in my stomach. The day of the wedding had arrived, and I felt a mix of nervousness and determination. I put on a simple white dress and prepared myself for what was to come.

Logan met me at the entrance of the registry office. He was impeccable in his dark suit, and when he saw me, he frowned slightly.

“You finally arrived,” he commented, looking at his watch with a tone of impatience. “Let’s go, we have a schedule to keep.”

“Sorry for the delay,” I replied, trying to hide my irritation. “Let’s go inside.”

The ceremony was brief and straightforward. We signed the documents in the presence of a justice of the peace and a few witnesses. There were no grand speeches or emotional vows; just the fulfillment of a contract. However, as I looked at Logan, something inside me stirred. Perhaps it was the solemnity of the moment, or the understanding of the commitment we were making.

During the signing of the documents, Logan hurried me several times, as if he had something more important to do. “Let’s get this over with, Sofia. We don’t have all day.”

I was hurt by his tone, but I held back. I knew he was used to giving orders and having things done at his own pace. But this was our wedding, even if it was just a contract.

After the ceremony, we went to a small restaurant for a discreet lunch. Logan and I sat side by side while our lawyers discussed logistical and legal details. He seemed distracted, constantly checking his phone.

“Sofia, I know this isn’t what you expected for a wedding,” Logan said, his voice low but with a tone of superiority. “But I promise I’ll do my best to make it as easy as possible for you.”

“I appreciate that, Logan,” I replied, trying to hide my frustration. “I’ll do my best to make it work too.”

As our lawyers continued to discuss, Logan turned to me with an impatient expression. “Are you they’re saying? It’s important that you pay attention to the details. I can’t afford you making a mistake here.”

The way he spoke, as if I were an inattentive child, deeply irritated me, but I remained silent, nodding.

The following days were a whirlwind of activities as Logan and I moved into the apartment we would now share. It was a spacious and elegantly decorated place, reflecting Logan's sophisticated taste.

On the first night in the new apartment, I felt strangely nervous. The idea of sharing my personal space with someone who, although known, was still a stranger, was intimidating. Logan seemed to sense my unease.

“Sofia, I know it might be difficult to adjust,” he said, with a slightly condescending tone. “But you’ll get used to it. You just need time.”

I nodded, trying not to show my discomfort. “Thank you, Logan. I just need some time to adjust.”

I just nodded, feeling a wave of frustration. More and more, it felt like I was diving into a sea of unrealistic expectations and control. I wondered how I would endure this for a year.

After a silent dinner, Logan got up and went to the makeshift office in the apartment. He had an important videoconference and didn’t want to be disturbed. I was left alone in the living room, feeling the weight of all the changes from the past few days.

I decided to take a hot bath to try and relax. The warm water helped calm my nerves, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped in an agreement that, despite being necessary, left me increasingly uncomfortable. I put on my pajamas and got ready for bed, knowing the night would be long.

As I exited the bathroom, I ran into Logan in the hallway. He looked me up and down, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“I hope you don’t think you can just relax and do nothing, Sofia,” he said, his tone cold and calculated. “We have a lot to do, and I need you to be prepared for the commitments that lie ahead.”

“I understand, Logan. I’ll be ready,” I replied, trying to stay calm.

“Good. We can’t afford to appear disorganized or unprepared. I hope you understand the seriousness of this.”

I nodded again, feeling the pressure mounting. Logan entered his room and closed the door with a firm click. My hands trembled slightly as I made my way to my own room.

That night was one of the hardest I’d ever had. The bed felt cold and unfamiliar, and the silence of the apartment was almost deafening. I wondered how I would endure an entire year under the same roof as Logan, with his arrogant and controlling attitude.

But I needed to be strong. For myself and for my mother. I closed my eyes, trying to push away the negative thoughts, and finally fell asleep, determined to face whatever came next.