Chapter 458
Chapter 458
I turned sharply toward the door.
All I wanted was to leave before I wrapped my hands around his neck and ended his reign of control myself.
“Lauren isn’t being forced to marry you,” he said calmly behind me. “On the contrary, she’s quite eager p>
That stopped me cold. I turned slowly. “What p>
He nodded once, as if he’d just informed me of the weather. “If there’s anyone pushing for this marriage more than myself and her father, it’s her. Lauren is more than welcoming of the idea. She desires nothing more than to be your wife. All that’s left is for you to accept it
and then p>
“Never,” I cut in immediately. “I’m never accepting that madness. She’s insane too if she’s going along with this. But count me out p>
I took a step closer to him now, my voice low.
“I don’t care how eager she is. I don’t care who her father is. I don’t care what alliances you’re trying to build with this farce. I will not be used like one of your chess pieces p>
I turned again, my patience shredded beyond repair.
“Is there a woman in your life, perhaps, Zachary?” he asked.
My hands folded into fists before I even realized it. And just like that, my mind betrayed me.
Elizabeth.
Her fire. Her stubbornness. The way her presence filled a room without her saying a word. The way she challenged me, didn’t bend, didn’t back down. The way she made me feel alive and undone all at once.
A memory flickered through me so vividly that my breath caught in my throat.
The way she felt beneath me. Her moans. How soft and perfect she’d felt. How she let me flip her into every goddamn position I wanted.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Get it together, Reese. This could go a lot worse by getting a boner in front of my evil father.
“No,” I forced out. “There is no one p>
His gaze probably lingered on me a second too long, like he could see through the cracks I was desperately trying to seal.
“Is that so?” he said, unconvinced.
1/3
21:58 Tue, Jan 20
Chapter 458
I didn’t bother answering that. Instead, I said, “Don’t ever bring this up again, Father. This is the last time I’ll speak about this. ”
And then I walked out. But leaving still didn’t calm me.
The hallway now felt narrow. The air too thick. My footsteps echoed louder than necessary against the polished floors, every step pounding with restrained violence.
The moment the doors shut behind me, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
Marriage.
The word alone made something in my chest constrict. A wife chosen not by love or connection or even desire but by political
convenience and control.
Just like River. Just like everything he touched.
Outside, the cold air hit my face, sharp and sobering. I stood there for a moment, hands on my hips, staring at nothing while everything
inside me screamed.
I wasn’t angry just because of the marriage. I was angry because I hadn’t seen this coming. Even though I knew him.
No matter how far I ran, no matter how hard I fought, he always found a way to tighten the leash. And the worst part? Lauren White wasn’t even the enemy here. She was just another pawn.
A beautifully dressed, well–bred pawn who probably thought she was winning something by becoming my wife.
I scoffed bitterly. Winning me. What a prize.
But even as the sarcasm curled on my tongue, something uneasy settled in my gut because eagerness meant planning. It meant expectation.
And my father never planted seeds without intending to harvest them.
This wasn’t a suggestion. It was a declaration. And deep down, I knew this wasn’t the end.
Not even close.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.