gers played nervously with the fabric of her dress, her thoughts swirling. Something was wrong with this hasty union. Why had her mother-in-law, so conce

she wasn't one to settle for half-truths. The house was silent at this late hour, but she k

he door, hesitant to en

aw's voice, soft but authoritative

sly aligned stacks of files, and her impeccably dressed mother-in-law seated behind a large mahogan

my dear? » she asked, a

ling inside her. "I would like to understand," she began, choosing he

erfectly manicured hands on the desk. " Lyra, you are an intelligent young woman. You know how precious our

if I thought that was the only reason. But I feel there is something else.

but she quickly masked it. "Sometimes, Lyra , it's best not

ng in her throat, but she refrained from responding. She und

*

ind her. She turned to see Alexander approaching, his silhouette silhouetted against the darkness. H

vening," he remarked, stop

use I'm thinking about what it all means. This marriage, this allian

ng on his lips. "You're more perceptive than

ancial situation, and your mother-in-law knows it. This marriage is his solution to redress

n, but she refused to show her vulnerability. "So I'm just a pawn

ng slightly softer. " Maybe. But a pawn can be

Before she could respond, Alexander walke

*

r in his head. She felt betrayed, manipulated, but part of her wanted to unde

s, she would look for them herself. When she typed Alexander's name into t

ssman of His Generation." »* She clicked on it and read eagerly. He had built a colossal empire,

alliances, and conflicts of interest. Alexander was not onl

was this man she was supposed to marry? And most

one thing was clear: she couldn't remain passive. If Alexander want

*

dining room. Alexander was already there, a cup of coffee in his hand. He

d," he remarked, a

ed. "Maybe because I spent the nigh

ry, he nodded slightly, as if he expect

That you are much more complex than you let on

tly. "You're beginning to understand, Lyra . This m

o back down. "So get ready, Al

said nothing. Lyra stood up, feeling for the first time that sh

Alexander thought she would just follow their rules, they woul