ra'

t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, Damien's words echoed in my head. "You'll marry me." The ph

in through the curtains. The mansion was silent, its vast halls empty and devoid of any

is promises, his threats. I hadn't said much after that. What was there to say? He had made it clear that I had

er me. I couldn't. I had already lost too much-my independence, my life as I kn

efu

go, or even if there was a way out. But there had to be

-

en's

e in her eyes had been clear-she hated me, and I wasn't sure whether that made me angry or intrigued. I

he armrest. The deal with the rival family was on the verge of finalization, but I couldn't shake the thought of Clara. The way she h

an just a business deal; there was something about her that unsettled me. Something

spoke with her. The silence had stretched on, and I c

or. I had to see her again. I neede

-

ra'

rustration, and fear. I had no idea how to deal with this-how to even begin to take back control of my life

house itself was holding its breat

e doorway, his presence heavy and commanding. He stepped inside without a word, closin

s voice was smoot

hest, trying to appear unfa

that predatory gleam I had come to hate. "I just

d perfectly well," I snapped. "I'm your prisoner, and you expect me to mar

? No. I just need you to do your part. I'm not askin

oice was growing louder, the anger building with each word. "

voice. "You don't have a choice. You're in my w

nd suffocating. I could feel the weight o

said, my voice steady de

ser. "You will," he said softly

you understand. I don't want any part of this. I don't wa

k toward him with surprising gentleness. "You don't ge

old, yet there was a strange tenderness in it, as if he was tr

low, almost possessive. "And whether you li

er he wielded. I could see it in the way he moved, the way

his presence felt like an assault on my dignity, my autonomy. But

said, my voice barely ab

flicker of something beneath his cold exterior. "I don't want to b

nsion between us was unbearable, and

'll give you time to think," he said, his tone un

-

en's

other women I had dealt with. She wasn't afraid of me-not in the way mos

ngerous, and I knew I needed to be careful. But part of me didn't w

o choice. The deal had been made, and she

e would realize, eventually, that I wasn't

as more than just a pawn in my game. Could

idn't know it yet, but she was already mine. The only question now wa