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My jaw clenched tight, my eyes firmly averted from the leering men in the room. My voice was a hiss as I spat, “You’ll never break me.” Lord Nathan’s face darkened with anger before he spun on his heel and stormed out of the room, leaving an oppressive silence hanging heavy in his wake.
I looked at Theodore. “He’s a liability,” I said. “Are you sure that’s the puppet you want on the throne?”
Theodore sat in his velvet chair and crossed his legs. “He’s easily manipulated and resourceful. Convinced an army of misfits to follow his lead and took down two houses.”
I took a step closer to him. “But he’s also greedy and untrustworthy. Wouldn’t it make more sense for me to marry someone else? Someone you can trust…perhaps…someone in the family.”
Theodore arched his brow. “You’re suggesting Atticus.”
“You’d have a son for a king.”
“There’s one problem with that, Christine. My son is not loyal to me, he’s loyal to you.”
“And what if I asked him to be loyal to you?”
Theodore’s dark eyes flickered with an icy glint as he spoke. “He’d sacrifice anything for you. I couldn’t even dare tell him of my plans to side with Lord Nathan, as he was too preoccupied with getting you out of harm’s way. Blindly devoted to you since the day you met. I’d be a fool to think he wouldn’t go above to protect you. I cannot let my son be your king.” His gaze hardened into a burning fury. “I will not let my son be your king.”
I gritted my teeth. “So why are you even using me if I’m such a liability?”
“Because you’re a liability easily controlled by her emotions,” he said, his face blank. “If I can control you, I’ll keep Augustus and Leo alive for as long as necessary. I’ll hold them over your head for the rest of your miserable life. You have a weakness, and I plan to exploit it.”
I shook my head. “You’re despicable.”
He shrugged, his eyes cold and expression unreadable. “I am what I am. I suggest you play your part. It’ll be over soon if you do what I say.” His voice lowered, and he leaned forward, his expression turning menacing. His gaze bore into me as he hissed, “Remember that the moment you take your place on the throne, the lives of your loved ones hang in the balance. One move out of line and they’ll feel the full brunt of my wrath.”
I looked him straight in the eye and asked, “Would you kill your own son?”
His bitter laughter filled the room. “Which one? I have two.” He paused, slowly licking his lips.
“The one you actually care about.”
He shook his head slowly. “Of course not. He’s my heir. My job would be a lot harder if you only loved him. But luckily for me, you went and fell for three men. I have plenty of options to keep you under my thumb.”
I took another step closer to him. “This would be so much easier if you let me marry Atticus. You’d have everything you ever wanted. He’d be king.”
“I had to put an end to your relationship with my son. You may have fooled him, but I know the truth. Your morals are as shallow as a puddle, and I can’t let my son’s life be ruined by someone who takes pleasure in cheap thrills. Atticus may be taken in by your facade again, but he will never be able to trust you. He’d do anything you desired, and that would destroy him, and I cannot allow that.”
I stammered. “You don’t know that.”
He sneered. “I know my son better than anyone else. You? You’re his downfall, and I won’t just let you have him without a fight. I won’t sit back and watch you tear apart everything he’s worked for, everything that makes him a powerful DuPont. One day, my son will find someone to match his needs: an obedient woman who will do everything he says without question. He’ll marry her, start a family with her, and he won’t have to worry about her betraying him. The truth is, Christine, you don’t deserve my son. You’re not reliable or subservient. Sure, you look nice and have a fancy title, but I’d rather manipulate and force you to marry someone you loathe than watch you break my son’s heart.”
“You surprise me, Theodore,” I croaked.
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t think you were capable of caring for anyone. But you’re doing this because you love him—because you don’t think I’m good enough.” I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders, my voice firmed. “I was willing to spend my life with Atticus. It would have been unconventional but still real. I would have been there for him, by his side, and loved him till the end. He’s more than just my lover, he’s family. And I would have done anything for my family.” I swallowed, a theory swirling around my mind. “But your worry about Atticus isn’t the only reason you don’t think I’m worthy, right? Is it because I remind you of her?”
He scoffed. “Who?”
I smirked. “Isabelle. You loved her, didn’t you? She was the woman you couldn’t control, the woman you couldn’t tame. She fucked you, but she didn’t choose you. And that was a hit to your pride.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” he spat.
“I don’t have to know it all. It’s written all over your face, Theodore. You loved her, didn’t you? And she refused you.”
He gritted his teeth. “I would have given her everything, but she stayed with a king that didn’t even love her.”
“She didn’t pick you,” I snapped. “And you’re mad that in my own way, I’ve picked Atticus.”
