“Yeah, right,” Aurora mutters, and we share a knowing look.
Things between me and Fabian have gotten worse over the last few years. He hates that I’m with Christian. I’ve heard him and Papa fighting about how my marriage should be used to garner them favors with another family—because that’s all daughters are good for.
I’m the only thing he and Papa fight about. It’s probably another reason Fabian hates me so much.
“That’s too bad,” I murmur, not meaning it one bit. I didn’t want Fabian here in the first place, even though I pretended I did.
I knew if I told him I didn’t want him there, he’d have shown up out of spite. By pretending I wanted him here, it guaranteed his absence.
They don’t say I’m a genius for no reason.
“Well, I’m starving. I was promised food.” Aurora slips her arm through mine, smiling at Papa, who just laughs.
“We can’t have that. Come. We’ve rented out Mari’s favorite restaurant for her graduation party.”
I lean into Aurora as Christian links his fingers through mine.
Life is perfect, and I’m not sure I’ve ever been happier than I am right now.
CHAPTER THREE
Mariana
Age Eighteen
FABIAN
You need to come home.
NOW.
Istare at the text message for another moment before shaking my head. There’s no reason my older half-brother should be demanding I return home.
He’s not the boss of me—he never has been and never will be.
Technically, my last class of the semester is done. I have enough credits to begin my third year at the university as a senior. Next year will be the least number of classes I’ve taken at once—an easy year before I dive into law school the year after.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I started college two years ago, but after a few conversations with Papa, I decided I wanted to be the family lawyer. So that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Part of me was trying to get as many of my classes as I could get done before I designated. It’s been two weeks since my birthday and nothing. Maybe I’ll end up being a beta. It seems weird considering my parentage, but weirder things have happened.
I decide I don’t care what Fabian wants. I have an appointment to look at wedding dresses with Mama in twenty minutes, and I don’t want to leave her waiting. Not to mention, my wedding to Christian is in a little over a month, and I still haven’t found my dress.
Yes, I’m aware how close I’m cutting it, but I’m not settling when it comes to my dress.
My phone rings when I go to slip it into my pocket. Frowning when I see it’s Christian, I answer it.
“Christian? I thought you were in a meeting with Papa?”
Christian clears his throat. “You need to come home, baby.”
“But I’m meeting Mama in twenty minutes?—”
“No, you’re not. There’s been a change of plans, and we need you at home immediately.”
Fear churns in my stomach. Something isn’t right.
“I’m walking to my car now. Is everything okay, Chris?”
