pte

ainst the smooth, unfamiliar sheets. It didn't look anything like the one in her room. Everything around her felt for

y last night. Her father's voice. His announcement, clear and co

heir to Meyers Industries. The anger in her che

, the way he had cornered her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His plan for her, neatly wrap

cloud, the ache in her chest refusing to fade. The anger hadn't disappeared overnight; it had only settled, cold

aped over the couch, its fabric glinting softly in the sunlight. She stepped closer, letting her fingers skim over the smooth

steam curling around the shower. Bottles of shampoo and body wash lined the edge, each

t, moved through her space without waking her. Normally, the smallest sound would have pulled her from sleep.

gle moment, leaving her with nothing but an ultimatum. Ethan had stolen her birthright, and Julian was h

npredictable, and stepping into it would be dangerous. But this wasn't about trust or safety, it was ab

r shoulders squared. The pain hadn't disappeared, but the anger, the fire in her chest, was enough to keep her standing. Today, she would marry Stefan Ste

in the emerald-green gown Stefan had left for her, paired with sleek black shoes. Her posture was steady, her chin slightly lif

he simplicity of his attire. A black tuxedo jacket, tailored to perfection, paired with sleek black pants. A cup in

indow played against his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his face. Her gaze lingered lon

eeks flushed almost immediately, a warmth spreading that she tried to ignore. Mia cleared her throa

ering on the first one caught her attention. "Contract between Mia Meyers and Stefan Sterling." Her fingers hesitated before picking it up, the

was boldly written on

g for her signature. When had he arranged all this? How had he pulled it off so quickly? The q

delay, sir. Your

s close enough to Stefan that people whispered about his true role. Some said he was the assistant who knew too much, others insisted he was the

he felt the weight of his gaze, brief but assessing, before he stepped back. Stefan glanced over the t

s as she gripped them a little tighter. The marriage contract felt heavi

and detached. "You'll want to read the terms care