pte

with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. "And why wo

sted, looking away a little. But she knew he was listening. That was enough for now. "Shitty fathers. We both know our fathers are only interested in taking what's ours and giving to

and I'm not." The words hung in the air, a clear jab, reminding him

d to prove she deserved her dad's company. He had seen her last night at the party, it was broadcasted life. The fake smile on

they wanted than about their kids. But marrying

eapon?" He said ignoring the part where she

couldn't look away. "They think they can dictate our lives. But togethe

lliance, then," he said, almost to himself. "But let's be clear,

u to do anything. I'm offering you a partnership. An empire they'll never se

"One condition" he said, his tone low and deliberate. "If either of us dares to speak of divorce, they lose every

tefan thought she might falter, that her confidence might crack. But she didn'

all in." Her father wants to destroy her life. She wouldn't gi

hesitation. There was none. Before he could say anything further, s

nt a wedding that'll be remembered for years. Something grand. The kind of event

amusement sparking in his dark ey

dding I have in mind. So tomorrow, we register the marriage, make it official. Then we take our time craft

actical," he finally said. "You get your spectacle, and I get..." He trailed off, letting the ambi

tened, just barely.

tying the knot tomorrow," she continued, her voice casual but

ut not entirely surprised. "You're in

g to sell this story, we might as well commit to it from th

ough holding back a laug

ne the looks on their faces when they read the headlines tomorrow. Our fathers won't

n't sure if it was the audacity of her plan or the determination in h

g toward the door. His movements were unhurried but purposeful. "L

uiet halls, her mind racing with the possibilities ahead. The game was already in motion

ion, power, and spectacle. Fine. She'd get it. But he wasn't blind, Mia Meyers was a wildcard, the kind that cou