Page 15
I slowly rise to my feet, wiping at my cheeks with trembling hands. Audrey stands with me.
She squeezes my hand, and offers me a small, reassuring smile before I leave the room.
My knuckles are white by the time I reach Father’s study.
I pause outside the heavy oak door, drawing in one shaky breath before knocking.
“Come in.” His voice is as cold and emotionless as ever.
I push the door open and step inside.
Father sits behind his massive oak desk, a ledger open in front of him. Sunlight filters through the tall windows behind him, casting long shadows across the room, but it does nothing to soften the hard lines of his face.
“Papa,” I murmur.
He finally lifts his eyes to me. “You already know why you’re here. Roman has made it clear that he wants to marry you instead of Audrey.”
The words hit me like a punch, even though I already know them. “I don’t want to marry him. I can’t marry Roman. Papa, please don't make me marry him…”
Father raises a hand. “Enough.”
His tone is sharp enough to silence me instantly. “Sit down and listen.”
I remain standing. He doesn’t seem to care.
“Roman doesn’t want anyone else,” he continues. “He wants you.”
He closes the ledger in front of him. “And therefore, you will marry him.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
The word comes out louder than I intend. “No!”
I shake my head frantically. “Why would he even want me?”
“I don’t know.” Father pinches the bridge of his nose. He sounds irritated rather than concerned. “And frankly, I don’t care.”
He leans back in his chair. “You clearly don’t understand the kind of man Roman Sokolov is.”
A chill creeps over me.
“Roman does not accept the word no. He has started wars over matters far smaller than this.” Father folds his hands together. “If we refuse him, he won’t simply walk away. He’ll start a war.”
Silence settles between us.
“And I will not allow that. I’ve spent years expanding this family’s influence.” He gestures vaguely toward the maps spread across his desk. “The alliance with the Bratva is supposed to strengthen our position, expand our territory, and secure our future.”
He looks directly at me.
“I’m not throwing all of that away because you don’t want to marry Roman. So, you will return to your room, and you will prepare for tonight.”
He picks up his pen as though our conversation is already over. “It is your engagement party.”
Then, without even looking at me, he says, “Congratulations.”
Not once does he ask how I feel. Not once does he wonder whether I’m frightened. All he cares about is territory.
For one reckless moment, I want to scream at him. I want to ask him whether he has ever loved us. Whether Audrey and I have ever been anything more than bargaining chips to him.
