Page 11

He stops, mid-stride.
When he turns, his expression is unreadable—those sharp eyes assessing, the rest of him still as stone. “Mara?”
“I need a minute,” I say, stepping closer.
His gaze flicks down to the watch on his wrist, then back to me. “I have a meeting with your father in the next five minutes.”
“I know.” I don’t blink. “That’s why this won’t take long.”
“Alright then,” he says, giving me his full attention.
I lower my voice and square my shoulders. “I have a proposal.”
That captures his attention. He remains still, without blinking, and his facial expression stays unchanged. The intensity of his gaze is overwhelming, and for a brief moment, I almost lose the courage to recite the lines of my carefully crafted speech.
I lick my lips and just let go. “I am in a desperate position and would like your help.” I say pleading with my eyes, “I want us to marry.”
There it is. I’ve dropped the grenade straight into the silence between us and wait for the explosion. But it doesn’t come.
Zasha doesn’t react. No flinch. No raised brow. Just silence. Then, slowly, he folds his arms across his chest and studies me like I’m a chessboard and he’s searching for the trap I’ve set.
“Why?” he asks simply.
I meet his gaze squarely, letting him see how much I want this. “Because it benefits both of us.”
“Does it?”
I nod. “You know what my father wants more than anything. An alliance with your Bratva. A permanent one. He's tried twice and failed. First with Viktor. Then with Viktor’s sister. A marriage between you and me would give him exactly what he's been chasing for years.”
His expression doesn’t change. “That explains his benefit. What’s yours?”
My fingers tremble slightly. “Freedom.”
“Freedom?” he echoes, like it’s a foreign word. His eyes narrow slightly. “From who?”
And just like that, my speech unlocks.
“From what’s expected of me. From being passed around like a well-dressed token. From smiling at banquets and pretending I care about the man sitting beside me because my father thinkshe’d make a good husband. I’ve played the roles expected of me my whole life. Dutiful daughter. Perfect princess. But I want more than that. I want to see the world. Live on my own terms. But I know I’ll never get that chance if my father shackles me with marriage. This arrangement gives everyone what they want. My father gets his alliance. Your family strengthens its position. And I get an expiration date.”
He tilts his head, still silent. Still observing.
“One year,” I add, my voice softer now. “Twelve months. And then we end it. Quietly. Cleanly. No scandal.”
Zasha’s jaw tightens. “You think your father will be happy with me after I divorce you?”
“I’ve considered that,” I say. “He won’t blame you. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll be the difficult one, and I’ll make sure the story that reaches my father paints me as impossible to live with. He’ll believe it. He always worries I’m too strong-willed.”
Zasha raises an eyebrow. “So, you think this is a game?”
“No.” My voice is firm. “I think this is a solution.”
He stares at me long and hard, as if trying to see beneath my skin. “And if I say no?”
“If you say no,” I say, “then I’ll do what’s expected. I’ll smile through an engagement I didn’t want. I’ll marry someone myfather chooses—a man who’ll see me as a prize, not a partner. Someone who’ll use me to get close to him, and then control me to keep that power.”
Zasha’s stare doesn’t waver.
“But if you say yes,” I continue, my voice soft but unwavering, “you won’t just be doing me a favor. You’ll be making a move that shifts the power in our entire world. You’ll give my father what he wants. You’ll become untouchable in this house. And for twelve months, I’ll owe you a debt I could never repay.”