CHAPTER 2

Lilia barely remembered how she got home.

Her mind spun in chaotic disarray as she replayed Damian’s words over and over.

We are engaged.

The claim hit her like a thunderclap—unreal, impossible—but the certainty in his voice twisted her stomach into knots. He spoke as if this was an undeniable fact, and her confusion only deepened.

But no. This couldn’t be true.

There had to be a mistake.

Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone, dialing the one person who could give her answers. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she had to know.

The phone rang three times before the familiar voice of her grandfather answered.

“Lilia?”

His voice felt like a hammer to her chest. The fury that had been bubbling inside her finally erupted.

“Is it true?” she demanded, her voice tight with anger.

A heavy pause followed. Then, a sigh.

“I see you’ve spoken to him.”

Lilia’s grip tightened around the phone, her jaw clenching. “So it is true,” she hissed, waiting for him to deny it, to assure her this was some misunderstanding. But there was no denial.

That silence stung worse than any confession.

“You knew,” she whispered, the realization sinking deep. “You knew all along, and you never told me.”

Her grandfather’s voice turned firm, almost defensive. “It wasn’t my decision. This was arranged by the family elders. It was decided before you were even born.”

Lilia’s blood ran cold.

Arranged marriages. She had heard the whispers about elite families—about how alliances were made with power and wealth, about how love had no place in these decisions. But she never thought she’d be part of that cold tradition.

Her voice trembled, but she couldn’t stop herself from demanding the truth. “Why?” she asked, her voice raw. “Why would they arrange something like this?”

“Because it was the only way to secure peace between the Morgan and Crawford families,” her grandfather admitted. “Damian’s grandfather and our elders agreed on this engagement to prevent conflicts and strengthen both families. You were always meant to marry into the Crawford family.”

Her stomach churned as the words sank in.

Her entire life—the choices, the steps she’d taken—had all led to this? She had never been free.

She swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. “And you never thought to tell me?” she asked, the hurt now lacing her words.

“What would it have changed, Lilia?” he asked softly. “Would you have accepted it if I told you when you were younger? You would have fought against it no matter what. I hoped you would never have to know.”

The weight of his words crushed her. She had trusted him. Had respected him. And now, she saw it—she had never truly been free. Not even her future had been her own to decide.

But that didn’t mean she would just accept it.

“I won’t accept this,” she said, her voice cold, determination creeping in.

Another long pause.

“Then you’ll have to pay off the debt yourself,” he said, his voice suddenly more distant.

Lilia froze. “What?”

Her grandfather’s tone was steady. “The Crawfords hold a significant amount of our family’s debt. If you refuse the engagement, Damian will demand full repayment—immediately.”

Her head spun. Her family’s finances had been declining for years, but she hadn’t realized how deep they were in debt. And now—now she was the price they expected to pay.

“You have two choices, Lilia,” her grandfather said quietly. “Marry him, or pay off the debt.”

Her breath came out in sharp, uneven gasps.

This was a trap. A carefully constructed one. Designed by the family—and by Damian.

But she wouldn’t play their game.

Lilia’s hand tightened around the phone. “Then I’ll pay it.”

Her grandfather’s sharp intake of breath was audible. “Lilia—”

“I don’t care how much it is,” she cut him off. “I’ll find a way. I will not be forced into a marriage I don’t want.”

There was a tired sigh from the other end. “...Then you should tell that to Damian yourself.”

Lilia stiffened, her mind already racing with the implications of his words. Before she could speak again, the sharp chime of the doorbell rang through the room.

Her body tensed instinctively.

No. It couldn’t be him.

But as her grandfather’s words echoed in her mind—"Tell that to Damian yourself"—a cold dread crept up her spine.

With slow, deliberate steps, she approached the door, her pulse hammering in her ears. She hesitated for just a second before pulling it open.

And there he was.

Damian Crawford.

His tall frame filled the doorway, and his eyes—dark and unreadable—swept over her with casual authority. The dim hallway lights cast long shadows over his sharp features, making him seem even more imposing.

A man who never appeared anywhere unless it was on his terms.

Lilia’s fingers tightened around the doorframe as she exhaled slowly. “How did you find me?” she asked, forcing herself to stay calm, though her chest tightened with every word.

Damian arched a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes. “I make it my business to know where my fiancée is.”

Lilia’s stomach twisted at the word “fiancée.” As if she had ever agreed to this.

“I’m not your fiancée,” she said, her voice sharp.

Damian tilted his head slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “A matter of perspective, really.”

Her fists clenched at her sides. “I didn’t agree to this. I never signed anything. I’m not bound to you, and I refuse to be.”

Damian studied her for a moment, his gaze cold and unwavering. Then, without waiting for her approval, he stepped past her and into her apartment.

Lilia’s breath caught in her throat, but she didn’t move to stop him. He wasn’t the type of man who would ask permission.

“Excuse me—” she started, but he cut her off with a simple command.

“Sit down,” he said smoothly, as if he were giving her a simple, polite request.

Lilia’s chest tightened. “No. You can’t just—”

“I suggest you listen,” Damian interrupted, his voice unbothered. “Unless, of course, you’d prefer to negotiate while standing?”

Her nails dug into her palm as fury bubbled beneath the surface. This was insane.

But Damian wasn’t a man who wasted time. If he was here, it was because he had a plan. And there was no escaping it now.

Grinding her teeth, she walked past him and lowered herself onto the couch, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her struggle.

Damian followed, but instead of sitting across from her, he leaned against the armrest of a chair, his posture relaxed and completely in control.

His gaze fixed on her as he began speaking, as if this conversation was already decided.

“The engagement was decided a long time ago,” he said, his voice calm, absolute. “It’s not something that can simply be undone.”

Lilia’s jaw clenched. “What do you mean it can’t be undone?” she demanded. “If neither of us want this—”

“But I do,” Damian interjected smoothly.

Lilia’s heart skipped a beat.

He wants this?

Her mind raced, but before she could fully process, Damian continued, his voice low and certain.

“It’s already in motion. Whether you accept it or not, this engagement will proceed.”

Lilia’s hands trembled as she curled them into fists. “Then I’ll pay off the debt myself,” she said, her voice steady but cold.

Damian’s expression didn’t change. “That’s an option.”

Lilia narrowed her eyes. Was it really that simple?

The gleam in his gaze told her it wasn’t.

“There’s another solution,” he said smoothly, his voice dark with meaning. “One that’s a bit more practical.”

Lilia’s pulse quickened, a sense of dread washing over her.

Damian’s lips curved slightly. “We get married.”

Lilia’s breath caught.

“What?” she whispered.

“One year,” Damian continued, unfazed by her shock. “We stay married for one year.”

Lilia stared at him, her disbelief mounting with each word.

“You’re insane,” she spat.

Damian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze never leaving her.

“No, Lilia,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “You misunderstand.”

His voice dropped, just slightly.

“If, after that year, you still want out, we’ll divorce.”

Lilia’s heart raced in her chest.

This wasn’t a choice. This was a trap.

A calculated trap designed by him.

A marriage contract.

Her mind reeled as she tried to find a way out.

But she had no choice. If she wanted to avoid the Crawford family’s grip on her, she had to accept his terms.

Lilia took a slow breath, her eyes meeting Damian’s.

“And if I agree?” she asked, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

Damian’s lips curved in a faint, almost mocking smile.

“Then we set the date.”

Lilia exhaled shakily.

One year.

One year to survive this game.

But she wouldn’t be the one to lose.