chapter 5

Mirabella’s Pov

“Will you marry me, Mirabella Jones?” The words sounded like a question, but the weight in his voice made it feel like an unyielding command—one I couldn’t ignore or refuse.

“Yes, I will marry you,” I said, my voice loud but hollow, the words dragging out of me like chains. My chest tightened, but I clung to the thought of my mother—her fragile health, her fading strength. For her sake, I would do anything, even marry a man as terrible as Aiden.

“You made the right choice, Mirabella. I’m sure Mother will be proud of you,” Aiden said, his smirk slicing through my restraint like a blade.

“Shut your mouth!” I snapped, the anger erupting before I could contain it. My glare bore into him. “How dare you call her ‘Mother’? She’s my mother, not yours. You have no right.”

“Hmm, so impatient, like a little monkey,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “By tomorrow, your mother will be my mother-in-law. Doesn’t that make it fitting to call her ‘Mother’?”

His words hit like a slap, the air between us crackling with their weight. I stood frozen, disbelief gripping me as his smug expression deepened.

“Tomorrow? Are we getting married tomorrow?” I asked, the shock tightening my throat.

“Tomorrow, we go to the marriage court, register, and get the certificate,” he said, his tone brisk and final.

“Do you have a problem with that arrangement, Mirabella?” Aiden asked, his gaze sharp, daring me to object.

“It feels a little too soon, don’t you think?” I said, keeping my voice steady, careful not to reveal my thoughts. “I mean, I just agreed to get married, but we haven’t even informed our families yet.”

Inside, my mind raced, every second I could gain becoming a lifeline to figure a way out.

“I don’t trust you, Mirabella Jones,” he said, his voice sharp and cold. “You’re the same person who smashed a vase over my head to knock me out. If you could do that, you’re capable of anything to escape this marriage.” His words struck like a whip, leaving me stunned.

“Meet me at the marriage court at 9 a.m. tomorrow,” he continued, his tone unyielding. “Dress appropriately for the occasion or you take my card—you can call if you need anything to prepare.” He held out a golden card, his name and personal details embossed on it.

I hesitated before taking it, the card heavier than it looked. Before I could speak, he was already walking toward one of the sleek cars lined up nearby. One of his men opened the door for him.

He paused, turning back to glance at me, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he disappeared into the car. The door shut, the engine roared to life, and it sped away, leaving me standing alone on the street, clutching the card and staring after him, helpless.

“What a crazy man!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the empty street. Helpless and drained, I clutched the golden card tighter. “One mistake,” I muttered, the weight of my thoughts pressing down, “and now I’m trapped, with no idea how to get out of this without marrying Aiden.”

My spiraling thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps. Ana ran toward me, tears streaming down her face.

“Mira, what did he do to you?” she cried, her sobs breaking like waves.

Caught up in my own turmoil, I had forgotten all about her. Guilt washed over me.

“Nothing happened to me, Ana,” I said quickly, grabbing her shoulders and scanning her tear-streaked face. “But what about you? Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

She shook her head, still sobbing. “No, they didn’t hurt me. They took me back to the bar and threatened me. They said I had to stay there for 20 minutes or they’d hurt you.”

My chest tightened as I listened, anger and worry tangling in my mind.

“I even had to hide from Adam,” Ana said, her voice trembling. “I knew if he found me, I wouldn’t be able to lie to him.”

“Thank you, Ana,” I said, placing a hand on her arm. “But you don’t need to worry about anything now. I’ve resolved the issue with Aiden Hayes.” I forced a calm tone, hoping to keep her out of this mess. The less she knew, the safer she’d be.

“Resolved?” Ana’s expression shifted, doubt flickering in her eyes. She wiped her tears away and grabbed my face, turning it so I couldn’t look anywhere but at her.

“Don’t lie to me, Mirabella Jones,” she said firmly. “Tell me everything—every single detail. Don’t leave anything out.”

Her serious tone left no room for evasion. When Ana was like this, she meant business, and honesty was her only expectation. Trapped by her unwavering gaze, I had no choice but to tell her everything.

“You’re getting married to Aiden Hayes?!” Ana exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.

“This is amazing news, Mira! You’re going to be the daughter-in-law of the Hayes family—Aiden Hayes’ wife!” she added, smiling brightly.

“What are you so excited about, Ana?” I snapped, my voice rising with frustration. “That man threatened me. He said he’d make me disappear if I didn’t marry him!”

“Why are you only focusing on the negative?” Ana countered, her tone steady. “He also said he’d give your mother the best treatment and help her recover soon. That should be our only concern right now.”

Her words hit me hard because I knew she was right. My mother’s health was the priority. But the thought of Aiden’s threats lingered, twisting in my mind like a storm cloud. Would he really have made me disappear if I’d refused him? Was he that dangerous?

If he was, then I wasn’t just marrying him—I was walking straight into the lion’s den.

“So, when’s the wedding, Mira?” Ana asked, her smile beaming with excitement. “We’ve got so much to do—dresses to pick, invitations to send out, and of course, I’ll be your maid of honor!”

“Tomorrow morning. Nine a.m.,” I said quietly, my expression weighed down with sadness.

“What? Tomorrow?” Ana’s smile vanished as she staggered back, nearly losing her balance.

“What kind of marriage is this, Mira?” she asked, her face twisting with displeasure, the joy in her voice replaced by disbelief.