Chapter 004

DIANA

I wore a flowy, plain white dress, letting my hair cascade down my shoulders in soft waves. Simple. Elegant. Exactly what my mother wanted. The white heels completed the look—pure and angelic, as she put it.

"Look at you, dear. Mr. Wrevco will surely be astonished by your look," she gushed, her eyes glowing with pride.

I forced a small smile, knowing damn well that tonight wasn't about me. It was about them. My family. Their empire. Their hunger for more power, more wealth, more control.

I was just the pretty little pawn in their game.

We arrived at Blackbird Makati, one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city. Of course. Everything had to be extravagant, impressive—as if Ruther Wrevco wasn't already drowning in gold.

Did they really think dressing me up and parading me in this grand setting would make me excited to marry him?

The hostess guided us through the restaurant to the former control tower—an exclusive VIP area. The lighting was dim, the atmosphere intimate.

Appetizers were served, but my stomach was too twisted in knots to even touch mine. My fingers traced invisible patterns on the tablecloth, the weight of the night pressing down on me.

Then, after twenty long minutes, he arrived.

"Compose yourself, Diana," my mother whispered sharply, her grip tightening around my hand.

I exhaled slowly, steeling myself.

The moment Ruther Wrevco entered the room, the air shifted.

Ten bodyguards. A sharp, well-tailored black suit.

Power. Confidence. Control.

His presence dominated the space effortlessly. He moved with the kind of arrogance that came naturally to men like him—men who had the world at their feet.

"Good evening, Mr. Cueva," he greeted my father first, extending a hand for a firm handshake.

My father beamed, his business smile stretching wide. "Ah, Mr. Wrevco! It's an honor to finally have you back in the country."

Ruther returned the handshake but barely reacted to my father's obvious flattery. His focus shifted to my mother next, placing a polite kiss on her cheek.

Then, finally—me.

His gaze locked onto mine.

Dark. Unreadable.

But there was something dangerous in the way he looked at me. Something that made my heart pound against my ribs, something that made my throat dry.

He was amused.

Amused that I was squirming.

Fuck.

I forced myself to stay composed, masking my discomfort behind a polite smile. I extended my hand for a handshake.

"Good evening, Mr. Wrevco."

He ignored my hand.

Instead, he stepped forward, his body looming over mine. Before I could react, his arm slipped around my waist, pulling me in. His cologne—a mix of spice and something sinfully expensive—invaded my senses.

And then, he kissed my cheek.

But it wasn't just a kiss.

It was deliberate.

Slow.

Lingering.

And then came the whisper.

"I want your character last night—hot and free."

My breath hitched.

A rush of heat climbed up my neck as his words burned into my skin.

This b*stard—

I stepped back abruptly, reclaiming my space, but his smirk only widened. He was enjoying this.

Before I could snap at him, my father cleared his throat, shifting the conversation.

"Mr. Wrevco, welcome back! We heard you just returned from Greece. How was your trip?"

Ruther finally turned his attention back to my father, settling into his chair.

"Profitable," he said smoothly, adjusting the cuffs of his suit. "Our latest clothing line launch in Europe was a massive success. Our luxury bag and shoe brands have expanded their reach, and our stocks skyrocketed."

My father nodded eagerly. "Of course! Wrevco Clothing Line is the most renowned brand in Europe. It's no surprise your expansion is dominating the market."

"And soon," Ruther added, his gaze flickering to me, "we'll be expanding even further."

I clenched my jaw.

"Speaking of expansion," my father said, leaning forward, "I trust that our partnership is moving forward as planned?"

Ruther's expression remained unreadable. "Yes. The contracts have been finalized. Wrevco will officially merge with Cueva Cosmetics. My company will acquire a 25% stake in your business, and in exchange—"

His eyes settled on me.

"Diana becomes my wife."

The words hit me like a wrecking ball.

Even though I knew—even though I had always known—hearing it spoken out loud made my stomach turn.

"A wonderful arrangement," my father said proudly. "A merging of power, wealth, and influence. Your brand dominates the fashion industry, and ours leads in cosmetics. With Diana as the face of both, we'll take over the global market together."

Take over the market together?

What about me?

What about what I wanted?

I gripped my glass tightly, resisting the urge to throw it at my father's head.

"And you, Diana?" Ruther suddenly asked, his voice slow, deliberate. "What do you think of all this?"

I met his gaze, my pulse hammering.

He was toying with me. Testing me.

What did I think?

I thought this entire thing was fucking ridiculous.

I thought my father was selling me off like some kind of business asset.

I thought Ruther Wrevco was the most insufferable man I had ever met.

But instead of saying any of that, I forced a tight-lipped smile.

"It seems like a strategic business move," I said coolly, lifting my wine glass. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

His smirk widened.

"Oh, sweetheart." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just for me. "You haven't seen anything yet."

I swallowed hard, my nails digging into my palm under the table.

I was so screwed.