Chapter 2

Nicholas Hernandez POV

"Dad!! Mum! You must be kidding me, right?" My voice reverberated through the walls of our family's opulent mansion. The news they had just dropped felt like a sledgehammer to my chest—a decree that upended my life without a second thought for my feelings.

"Why would you decide for me, huh? Why tell me to get married just like that,?" I protested, my anger simmering just beneath the surface.

My father, stoic and unyielding as ever, met my gaze with a steely resolve. "Nicholas, this marriage is not negotiable. It's a strategic alliance that our family cannot afford to overlook. Your personal feelings must be set aside for the greater good."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. All those years of education, grooming, and preparation for this moment—all seemingly discarded in favor of business interests and family legacy. Anger surged through me like a tidal wave, threatening to drown out reason and restraint.

"That's your own cup of tea then," I muttered bitterly, turning away before my temper could escalate further. "All I know is that you  can't expect me to be married by next week."

With that, I stormed out of the mansion, the heavy oak doors slamming shut behind me. I needed space, air—anything to clear my head amidst this sudden upheaval. My mind raced as I packed a few belongings into a duffel bag, hands trembling with a mixture of anger and uncertainty.

As I drove away from the familiar comfort of home,I couldn't stop thinking about the marriage plans.

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Mia's POV

Each morning brought a flood of congratulatory messages, reminders of the future my parents had meticulously planned for me. I responded mechanically, hiding my turmoil behind a polite facade. How could they disregard my feelings so callously, forcing me into a marriage that felt more like a prison sentence than a celebration of love?

The memories of high school days haunted me relentlessly, compounded by past relationships that had left scars. I had promised myself never to marry out of fear, a fear stoked by the trauma I had endured.

The bookstore had always been my sanctuary, where I could lose myself in worlds far removed from my own. That evening, the familiar scent of old books offered a brief respite from the storm raging inside me. I traced my fingers over the spines, seeking solace in their comforting familiarity.

Yet, the looming specter of marriage cast a shadow over my fragile peace. The thought of being bound to someone I didn't love, someone whose name I didn't even know, filled me with a deep sense of dread.

But then, as if fate itself conspired against me, I stumbled upon a section dedicated to poetry. Words, beautiful and haunting, leapt off the pages, stirring emotions I had buried deep within. I picked up a slim volume and flipped through its delicate pages, allowing the verses to wash over me like a soothing balm.

Lost in the world of poetry, I almost didn't notice the figure approaching until he spoke.

"Mia?"

The sound of his voice sent a chill down my spine—a voice I thought I had left behind in the halls of St. Augustine High School. I looked up sharply, heart pounding in my chest as I found myself face to face with Nicholas Hernandez.

He stood before me, tall and imposing, his expression a mix of apprehension and something I couldn't quite place. Fear, anger, and a sense of vulnerability surged within me, threatening to overwhelm my carefully constructed defenses.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out, voice betraying my unease.

Nicholas hesitated for a moment, his gaze searching mine.

My mind raced, grappling with a flood of conflicting emotions. How dare he show his face after all these years? The wounds he had inflicted upon me—emotional scars that had taken years to heal—were raw once more. Without a word, I turned and fled the bookstore, the echo of his voice haunting me as I ran.

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Nicholas's POV

I didn't expect to encounter Mia Hartley at all—it had been years since our paths crossed in high school.Mia Hartley was my first love In high school.

She looked genuinely frightened upon seeing me, disappearing into the night before I could utter a word. Her sudden departure left me stunned, standing alone amidst towering bookshelves. The weight of her fear and anger hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the pain I had caused.

I wished she had given me a chance to explain—to tell her that I wasn't the same person who had tormented her back then. My actions in high school were thoughtless, driven by a misguided sense of bravado. Meeting Emily had been a turning point, softening the rough edges of my youth.

But how could I expect Mia to believe me after everything? The arranged marriage that my parents now insisted upon only complicated matters further.

I leaned against a lamppost, watching the city lights blur into a hazy glow. Mia's unexpected appearance had shaken me to the core, dredging up memories I thought I had buried deep. High school felt like a different lifetime, yet here she was, still carrying the pain I had caused.

Closing my eyes, I tried to steady my racing thoughts. Meeting Emily had been a chance at redemption, a path toward a more meaningful future. But facing Mia again made me realize how fragile that newfound peace was.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, frustrated at my inability to bridge the chasm of hurt between us. I knew I had to make things right somehow, but I didn’t even know where to begin.

The vibration of my phone jolted me from my thoughts. It was a text from my father, a stark reminder of the reality awaiting me:

"Nicholas, we need to discuss the wedding arrangements. Come home soon."

How could I possibly convey to Emily the harsh reality forced upon me by my family? How would she react to the news that our future together was suddenly in jeopardy?

To be continued.

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