it was struggling through fog. Slowly, I realized I wasn't in the cramped cell where I last remembered being. No, this place wa

pulling at the edges of my mind. But... I wasn't there anymore. I was here, in this bed, feeling saf

when I

aking. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and undeniably gorgeous. He looked like a god. His suit fit his muscular frame perfectly. His jaw was

ough me, stripping me down to my very soul. I couldn't look away. Everything around us blurred

d I realized I was staring. Heat rus

you?" My voice

ter. His presence was magnetic, and every nerve in my body was acutely aware of how close he was. I felt

bout to speak, the d

led back to reality. My supposed parents rushed to my side, wrappin

ried," Daniella said, her hands cradling my

had slipped out so quietly I hadn't even noticed. My heart sank a little that he

anaged to say, though

o ask them about the man, but something stopped me. Maybe it was the way Daniella's face was so full of relief, or the way the

g my parents take me bac

-

o what my parents called

he front, giving it a royal, almost palace-like appearance. A large fountain gushed in the center

proudly, gesturing to the estate like it

I didn't remember seeing it. It felt familiar, yes, like a long-forgotten

e it?" my m

How was this my life? Was I dreaming? None of it made sen

eliers, and walls lined with gold plates adorned the space. Every de

s. Memories I didn't recall. It hit me like a punch to the gu

but their voices faded as I l

othing was making sense at all, not at that very moment but

--

still felt like an outsider in my own life. Something was missing. There was a gap in my memory, a piece of me

ad slightly. "Miss Tamera, your paren

what they had called me for. When I entered

was

as r

esence filled the room, and my breath caught in my throat. Those same piercing blue eyes lock

re neutral, but there was something in the

gan, "There's somethin

man, forcing myself to focu

sturing to the man. "We've known his family fo

d. "Arra

inuing. "We've arranged for you to marry h

e air out of my lungs, and fo

" I wh

for you, for the family," my father

ail, the next I find out I'm supposed to be rich, and now-now

t marry him. I'm already married!" My hands trembled, and I clench

lently this whole ti

ep and soothing, sending shivers down my s

ow me either. What makes you think it's right to force me into a marriage? How does any of this make sense

ment or maybe sadness on his face, but

er pleaded. "Just

"No," I said firmly, backing away. "I'm still