"The casino is collapsing," that was the first thing I heard when I entered my dad's study.
No hello, no sit down.
Just the bombshell.
Sophia, my immediate step sister, didn't even bother hiding her smile.
Which made me more warry, cause trust Sophia to be the happiest when it comes to situations that would hurt me, or kill me.
While Isabella, my pompus elder step sister looked bored, like she already heard this speech over and over again. I stayed standing because somehow sitting felt close to agreeing to what I don't even know about.
"so...?" I asked.
Dad rubbed his temple like I was exhausting him. "Russo is willing to back us up in the investment."
The name landed heavy and so familiar.
Alessandro Russo.
Who wouldn't know him.Even I knew that one.
"So.....what does that have to do with me?" I asked?
Silence.
"He wants you in exchange for his backing" Sophia said happily.
I actually laughed thou It came out thin and Wrong, really wrong
" please be serious."
"I am," Dad replied.
Something inside my chest went still. It's like i could hear bells ringing in my head.
"He wants a marriage tie," Dad continued.
"A Voss bride to be precise. And Your sisters are already aligned with families that would benefit us for a long-term, so that leaves you to be the only option."
"Leaves you".
Cause I was always extra chair in the room.
"Hold on Are you asking or telling me?" I asked.
His eyes met mine for a few seconds, which was rare. Cause i usually don't exsit that long to him.
"I'm telling you." just like that....
The honesty hurt so much than i ever thought it could, he couldn't even lie or pretend to protect my feelings.
Isabella uncrossed her arms just to add, "Don't pretend this is shocking news. You've never and will never fit in here anyway."
I ignored her, Looked at him.
"what if I refuse?"
Dad sighed leaned back in his chair, Calm and Calculating. "Then you leave this house without our name protecting you. you know how this city treats girls without protection."
There it was.
Not rage. Not shouting.
Just fact.
The city devours people like me.
Three days, your Wedding is in three days, he said.
I waited for panic. For screaming. Non of that came.
Instead, I felt tired.
"Fine," I said.
Sophia blinked. Probably expected me to cry.
"Good," Dad replied quickly. Too quickly.
"He'll be here tonight."
I didn't pick the dress.
Someone else did.
Black. Fitted. Subtle enough to look expensive. Obvious enough to make it look intentional.
I stood near the fireplace, thinking how much of a turn my life would take when the door opened.
He didn't rush in nor did he announce himself.
He stepped inside like he owned the house.
A Tall figure in a Dark suit , with no unnecessary movements. His presence wasn't loud, but his aura dominated the entire room.
My father extended his hand. "Alessandro."
Russo didn't answer him.
He was looking at me.
Not my dress, Not my body.
Me.
It should have felt better than the way other men looked at me.
But It didn't.
"You're Elara," he said.
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
My voice didn't shake. Small victory.
He stepped closer. Not close enough to touch.
Just enough that I was aware of how solid he seemed.
"Do you understand what this arrangement is?" he asked.
My father started to speak.
Russo lifted one finger slightly.
Dad kept quiet.
That tiny movement told me more than anything else could have.
"I understand it's mainly business," I said.
Russo studied my face like he was checking for cracks.
"And are you willingly agreeing to this?"
There it was again.
That word.
Willingly.
I could lie and Pretend I was excited, Pretend I believed this was romantic.
But Instead I said, "I understand what happens if I don't."
Something shifted in his expression. It wasn't softness, but definatly not approval either.
Awareness.
"Good," he said.
He didn't touch, grab, or claim, and That..
somehow made it worse.
"Three days," he continued. "After the ceremony, you'll move into my home."
He didn't say ours.
His.
"What if I don't like it there?" I asked before I could even stop myself.
A faint smirk appeared on his lip.
"You won't have to like it."
My pulse kicked harder at that.
He looked toward my father for the first time since he arrived. "Once she leaves this house, she answers only to me."
Dad nodded immediately.
Of course he did, why won't he.
Russo looked back at me one last time.
"Prepare yourself," he said quietly. "My world isn't gentle,nor is it for the faint or weak of heart."
Then he walked out.
There was no dramatic exit, no slammed doors.
Just gone.
Upstairs, Sophia laughed.
While I stayed where I was, staring at the doorway.
Three days.
I wasn't afraid of his temper.
I was actually afraid of how calm he has been.
Because calm men don't lose control.
They decide when to use it.
And somehow, standing here in this dress I didn't choose, made me realize something way worse than fear had settled into my chest.
I didn't move from where i was for a long time after he left. My arms felt heavy, like they already belonged to someone else.
The stupid dress clunged unto my skin way too much for my liking, tight around the ribs, loose around the shoulders.
I could still feel the way his eyes had been on my body , like It left prints I couldn't wash off no matter how hard I try too.
I finally pushed myself off the wall, with my shaky legs I Walked to the mirror beside the stairs.
My looked really small, with smudged makeup under my eyes due to the tears I didn't remember crying.
My Hair falling out of the clip Sophia had jammed in earlier.
The black dress looked cheaper closeup like i was trying too hard.
Staring at the girl in the glass, i tried to see someone who could fight back, who could walk out the front door right now and disappear into the city.
Someone who wouldn't let a man like Alessandro Russo decide how her life's gonna be.
I Couldn't find her.
What I saw was a scared and tired girl
And how I hated admitting it..curious too.
What did his world look like up close?
The penthouse, the power, the way he said "mine" like it was already done.
I hated that part of me wanted to know.
Hated that when he'd said "you won't have to like it," my pulse hadn't just jumped from fear, but something else too. Something hot and wrong.
I turned away from the mirror fast, as if looking too long would make it real.
Walked upstairs slowly, Passed Sophia's door, Heard her voice inside, laughing with Isabella.
Talking about dresses for some party next week. Talking about their futures like nothing had happened.
Like I hadn't just been traded away.
I entered and locked my bedroom door even though no one ever came in anyway.
Laid on the bed, still in the dress.
Didn't bother taking it off even though the fabric scratched my skin but I didn't care.
Three days.
Three days until the cage closed.
Couldn't help but think about running, I could pack a small bag tonight, Slip out through the back gate while everyone slept.
But what would become of me .
I rolled onto my side, Pulled my knees up and Wrapped my arms around them.
Remembered the way Alessandro's thumb had dragged across my lip.
I hated him.
I hated my family.
I hated myself most of all.
Because somewhere under all the fear and anger, a tiny part of me was already wondering what it would feel like to stop fighting.
To let the cage close, to see what happened when a man like him decided you were his.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Tried to sleep.
But Couldn't.
The voice in my head wouldn't stop.
What if you don't hate it?
What if you like it?
I pulled the pillow over my face.
But the question stayed.
Three days.
And part of me was already counting them down.