“Marry him.”The words hung in the air between us, heavy and sharp, slicing through the fragile peace of the kitchen. My paintbrush slipped from my hand, landing with a soft clatter on the floor. I stared at my father, his shoulders hunched, his hands trembling as they clutched the edge of the worn oak table.“What?” My voice came out quieter than I intended, a hoarse whisper that barely contained the confusion clawing at my chest.He didn’t look at me. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the mug in front of him, the chipped ceramic rim flecked with the remnants of his morning coffee. “Alexander Wells,” he said, his tone flat. “He’s agreed to marry you. It’s…it’s the only way.”The only way.Those three words hit me harder than they should have, weighted with an unspoken finality that I couldn’t yet comprehend. My legs felt unsteady beneath me, and I reached for the back of the chair, my fingers gripping the wood so tightly my knuckles turned white.“You can’t be serious.” My voice rose th
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”I dropped the thick stack of papers onto the glass coffee table in front of me, the slap of it against the surface louder than I intended. My father flinched from his seat on the armchair across the room, his hands clasped so tightly together that his knuckles had turned white.“Elena, please—” he began, his voice low and pleading, but I cut him off.“No, Dad. I mean it. This… this is insane.” I jabbed a finger at the document, its weight as heavy as the decision it represented. “This is a marriage contract, not some fairytale proposal. He’s not asking to marry me—he’s buying me.”The words left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I couldn’t stop them.I stood abruptly, pacing the length of our small living room. The threadbare rug muffled the sound of my steps, but nothing could soften the pounding in my chest.“Do you even know what’s in there?” I asked, throwing a glance back at him. “It’s all legal jargon, but the message is clear. I marry him, I smile f
“Elena, are you even listening?”Mia waved a hand in front of my face, her hazel eyes narrowing with concern.“Sorry,” I muttered, pulling my focus back to the café table. The mug of hot chocolate in front of me had long gone cold, untouched except for the swirls I’d absentmindedly made in the whipped cream.Mia leaned forward, crossing her arms. “You’ve been weird ever since your dad called the other day. What’s going on?”I hesitated, my chest tightening under the weight of what I hadn’t told her. If anyone would understand, it was Mia. She’d been my anchor through every storm, the sister I never had. But how do you tell someone you’ve agreed to marry a stranger to save your father’s company?“It’s complicated,” I said finally, staring at the table.Mia snorted. “Complicated? That’s what you say when you’re choosing between two paint colors. This—” she gestured to me, lowering her voice “—looks like something bigger. Spill.”I swallowed hard, glancing around the bustling café. The h
“I don’t trust her,” Mia’s voice buzzed through my phone like an alarm bell as I sat in the back seat of Alexander’s sleek black car. I had called her while waiting for him to finish his last meeting of the day, my nerves coiled tight after last night’s gala.“Mia, I told you, she’s just someone from his past,” I said, staring out the tinted window as skyscrapers blurred past. My voice sounded steady, but the knot in my stomach betrayed me.“Just someone from his past?” Mia repeated, her tone dripping with disbelief. “Elena, come on. A woman like that doesn’t show up uninvited unless she’s looking for trouble.”“She wasn’t uninvited,” I murmured.“Exactly,” Mia shot back. “And that’s what worries me. Why is Alexander still entertaining someone like her? I mean, I wasn’t there, but from what you’ve told me, she’s got bad news written all over her. What did she even say to you?”I hesitated, recalling the venom in Victoria’s smile and the cryptic edge to her words. “She said I don’t rea
“Elena, sweetheart, you’re overthinking it. Trust me, I’ve planned events for people ten times more important than Alexander Wells.” The wedding planner, a sharp-dressed woman with a clipboard that looked heavier than my art supplies, smiled at me with practiced charm.“I’m not overthinking,” I replied, tugging at the hem of my blouse. “I just want the wedding to feel like me, not some… corporate gala.” My voice faltered when I said it, as though voicing the truth would somehow jinx this entire thing.From the corner of the room, Alexander watched in silence, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. He’d been like that all morning—distant, almost brooding. The tension in the air was thick, and it wasn’t just about floral arrangements or cake tastings.The wedding planner glanced at him, clearly picking up on his mood. “Mr. Wells, is there anything you’d like to add? Perhaps we could look at the venue options again?”“No,” Alexander said curtly, his voice sharp enough to cut gla
“Elena,” Victor’s voice interrupted my racing thoughts, pulling me out of the fog of my own mind. I looked up to find him standing at the doorway, his expression soft but serious. “Mia and your father are here to see you.”I felt a twinge of panic grip me at the unexpected news. I hadn’t expected them—especially after everything that had happened between Alexander and me. But the thought of seeing Mia again, of feeling something like normalcy in the midst of chaos, grounded me for a brief moment.“Okay,” I said, standing from the chair where I’d been lost in thought for far too long. “Show them in.”Victor gave a brief nod, stepping aside to let Mia and my father enter. When they did, I felt a wave of relief wash over me, albeit a small one. My father, usually so worn from the weight of years spent battling in the business world, was now glowing with pride. His eyes—normally so tired—shone with something like hope.Mia’s hazel eyes locked on mine the instant she stepped into the room.
I stood at the foot of the grand staircase, the weight of my father’s words and Mia’s quiet warnings still swirling in my mind. It felt as though the entire mansion was holding its breath, waiting for me to take that final step, the one that would seal my fate. My father, Mia, and Victor all stood behind me, their eyes fixed on the grandiose doors that would open to the ceremony.The wedding. The real thing. It was no longer just an idea, a vague promise or a distant future. It was here. It was now.The butler’s footsteps echoed down the hall, and his soft voice reached me before he even rounded the corner. “Ms. Spears, it’s time.”I took a deep breath, clutching my bouquet tightly, and let my eyes briefly close. Alexander was already waiting for me. I could feel his presence, even though I hadn’t seen him yet. This wasn’t just any wedding. This was our wedding—the culmination of secrets, lies, and a love that felt both real and fabricated all at once.Mia squeezed my hand lightly, he
“I can’t do this without you,” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly as I looked into Alexander’s eyes. His gaze was steady, piercing, and unreadable—like staring into a storm you couldn’t quite predict.“I do,” I finally said, the words escaping my lips with quiet conviction. “I will marry you.”The applause erupted like thunder, ricocheting off the high ceilings of the grand hall. Guests rose to their feet, clapping and cheering as if the moment before them was a fairy tale come to life. The weight of the decision settled firmly on my shoulders, heavier than the intricate lace veil draped down my back.Alexander’s hand rested firmly over mine, his grip steady and commanding, but devoid of tenderness. This was a partnership, an agreement forged out of necessity, not love. And yet, the crowd cheered as if they had witnessed a love story for the ages.My father, seated at the front row, beamed with a mixture of pride and relief. His expression was lighter than I’d seen in months. Th
Alexander’s POV“I’ll sort Adrian out.”Victoria’s voice was steady, but I didn’t trust it. I folded my arms and leaned back against the leather chair in my office, watching her carefully.“You’ll sort him out?” I repeated, skepticism dripping from my tone. “Sorting out isn’t enough for someone who nearly destroyed my reputation and kidnapped my wife like a madman. You expect me to believe he won’t blackmail you again?”Victoria exhaled and stepped closer. “Alexander, listen to me. Adrian is obsessed with me, yes, but I know how to handle him now. I won’t let him come after me or the company again.”I scoffed. “And what exactly is your plan?”“I have my ways, just trust me please.”Her answer was vague, and I hated that. “That’s the problem, I can’t trust you Victoria.”She sighed, rubbing her temples. “Look, I know I messed up before, but I swear I’ve changed. I want to come back, and I want to make things right. You need someone you can trust in your company—someone who understands
Victoria’s POV“It’s time for what papa?” I asked, gripping my phone tighter. My father’s voice was calm but firm, carrying that heavy weight of authority that always made my stomach twist.“Since you refuse to come to Milan, I will come to Florida.”My heart nearly stopped. “What?”“I should have done this sooner,” he continued. “This situation has gone on long enough. Your silence, your avoidance—it all tells me there’s something you’re not saying. If you won’t come to me, I have no choice but to come to you.”Panic surged through me. “You don’t have to do that,” I said quickly, forcing out a small laugh as if the idea were ridiculous. “I mean, I’ve just been… busy. Things are under control, really.”“Victoria.” His voice held no patience for my excuses. “Enough.”I swallowed hard. “Dad, please. There’s no need to—”“I’ll be in Florida soon.”The finality in his voice made my chest tighten. “Dad—”The call ended.I let out a shaky breath, pressing my phone against my forehead. Shit.
Alexander’s POVLorenzo met my gaze, his jaw tightening. “I want answers.”I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head as he reached for the glass of whiskey he’d abandoned earlier. “Answers?” He took a slow sip before setting the glass down. “To what, exactly?”I leaned forward, bracing my hands against the desk. “To this mess, Alexander. To the way my name and yours is being dragged through every damn blog and media outlet. To the way the showcase was sabotaged. To how exactly I got tangled in all of this.”My eyes darkened. “You think I wanted this?” My voice dropped, the underlying anger in it barely restrained. “Do you think I enjoy waking up to headlines splashing my name across the internet like I’m some fucking criminal?” I scoffed, shaking my head. “I was supposed to be the shadow, Lorenzo. The one pulling strings from behind the scenes, not the one thrown into the public eye like a circus act.”I studied him for a moment. For all his arrogance, there was a layer of genuine fru
Elena’s POVVictoria stood near one of the displayed paintings, arms folded across her chest, a smug smile curling on her lips the second her gaze met mine.“Well, well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “Look what the cat dragged in.”Isla, beside me, exhaled softly but said nothing. My eyes flickered to her briefly, but her expression was unreadable—calm, indifferent. She made no move to acknowledge Victoria, and Victoria, in turn, acted like she didn’t see her. But something in the way Isla stiffened ever so slightly didn’t sit right with me.“You seem surprised to see me,” Victoria continued, stepping closer, her heels clicking against the polished floor. “I figured after that… spectacle you put on at the showcase, you’d be too busy hiding under a rock somewhere.”I squared my shoulders, refusing to let her get under my skin. “Funny. I was thinking the same about you.”Victoria let out a laugh, sharp and taunting. “Oh, darling, please. Unlike you, I don’t crumble u
Mia reached into the box and picked up the bracelet, her eyes widening as she turned it over in her palm. It wasn’t just any bracelet—it was expensive-looking, delicate yet striking. A thick, silver band wrapped around itself in an intricate woven design, almost like intertwining vines. The metal had a polished gleam, catching the dim light in the room, and at the center was a locket charm. Mia clicked it open, revealing a tiny, hand-painted portrait of Elena inside.“Oh, wow,” Mia breathed, holding it up to the light. “This is some real Romeo shit.”Elena said nothing. Her fingers curled around the edge of the box, heart hammering against her ribs.Mia turned the bracelet in her hands again, tilting her head as she examined the artistry. “Look at this detail. This isn’t some basic mass-produced jewelry; this was customized. The way the edges are carved? The way your picture’s been hand-painted and set into the locket instead of just printed? Girl, Victor did not play around with this
Elena’s POVI blinked, sure I had misheard him. “What?”Victor’s eyes remained steady on mine. “I think Isla might be involved.”I let out a sharp laugh. “You think Isla—my assistant —is involved? Are you even hearing yourself?”Victor sighed, leaning back slightly. “Elena, I need you to listen—”“No, you listen,” I snapped. “You don’t get to come in here and start pointing fingers at someone who has been nothing but good to me.”Mia, who had been silently munching on her fruit, straightened up. “Wait. I’m gonna need some context for this one.” “Who’s isla again ?”I turned to her “Isla Kerrington, she’s my personal assistant and her reason why I got on that showcase”“Oh that’s nice , so mr Victor, why is she your suspect?”Victor exhaled. “Look, something happened in London when Alexander was away.”I crossed my arms. “I know that’s where Alexander met Isla for the first time.”“Right,” Victor nodded. “But what you don’t know is that something strange happened to Alexander during t
Elena’s POV“You won’t at least take the flowers?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.I stared at them again. I had no reason to accept anything from him. Yet, something in the way he was looking at me, almost as if he was pleading, made me reach out and take them.“Fine,” I muttered, plucking them from his grasp.Victor’s lips twitched into a small smile, but I turned away before I could acknowledge it. I walked into the living room, setting the flowers down on the coffee table before sitting on the couch. Victor followed, sitting across from me.The air between us was thick, unspoken words sitting on both our tongues. Before either of us could say anything, footsteps sounded behind us.“Well, well, well,” Mia’s voice was laced with sarcasm as she strolled into the room, arms crossed. “Look what we have here, the Romantic lawyer himself .”Victor chuckled, shaking his head. “Always a pleasure, Mia.”Mia smirked. “Flowers? Gifts? What’s next, a violinist playing love songs outside
Isla’s POVI grabbed the phone and answered immediately.“Elena?”“Isla,” she breathed, her voice quiet but urgent. “I need to talk to you.”I frowned, my grip on the phone tightening. “Are you okay? How are you doing ?, sorry I didn’t reach out to you after I left the hospital”There was a brief pause before she sighed. “It’s fine Isla.”Something in her tone put me on edge. “What’s wrong, you don’t sound fine”.Elena hesitated, as if she was weighing her words carefully. “I don’t know Isla, the whole thing from the showcase, my name being on blogs, has put my career on the line and I’m just so overwhelmed.”I exhaled, sinking into the chair. “I know Elena, but don’t worry about it, soon something else would take over from this and the bloggers would move on. Besides, I reached out to the sponsors and PR team of the showcase already ““Really?” I could feel the excited in her voice “Yes Elena, you have nothing to worry about for now”“For now?” She asked “Yes, they would have to ge
Victoria’s POV“Who the fuck is this?”The words flew out of my mouth before I even processed the call. I wasn’t comfortable having this phone call while I was still at Alexander’s premises. Then, silence. A beat too long.And then“Are you fucking serious right now, Victoria?”Victor, I realized.I blinked, my grip tightening on the phone as recognition settled in. “Oh.” A slow smirk crept onto my lips. “Victor, darling, didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. What, miss me already?”His voice was ice, laced with barely controlled rage. “You set me up, you crazy bitch. Right ?”I rolled my eyes, already bored. “Oh, please. Set you up? I did you a favor.”“A favor?” he spat. “Are you out of your damn mind?”I sighed dramatically, looking around cautiously before responding “Think about it, genius. Now that Elena thinks Alexander’s some bitter, conniving snake, guess what? She won’t go running back to him anytime soon.” I let that sink in before adding, “Which means you have the perfe