Page 29

The whispers are growing louder, curiosity and judgment rippling through the crowd. Torres steps forward, his massive frame blocking the view of the nearest onlookers. “Boss?”
“Clear the room,” I say curtly, gathering Lila closer to me as I rise to my feet.
Torres nods, his booming voice echoing through the chapel as he orders the guests to leave.
I carry Lila down the side aisle, her head resting against my chest, her body soft and light in my arms. Her faint breaths tickle my neck, a small reassurance that she’s okay.
By the time I reach the quiet antechamber off the main hall, the whispers are muffled, and the tension in my chest eases slightly. I lay her gently on the chaise lounge, brushing my fingers against her cheek as I crouch beside her.
Her lashes flutter, and she stirs slightly, her lips parting as a faint groan escapes her. Relief floods through me.
“Lila,” I say softly, my hand still resting against her face. “Can you hear me?”
Her eyes blink open slowly, hazy and unfocused. She looks at me, and for a moment, there’s nothing but confusion in her gaze.
Then recognition dawns, and the shock returns, her body tensing as she tries to sit up.
“Easy,” I say, pressing a hand to her shoulder to keep her from moving too quickly. “You fainted.”
Her eyes dart around the room, her breathing quickening as the reality of the situation settles in.
“You,” she whispers, her voice shaky. “It’s you. I…I marriedyou.”
I nod, guilt twisting in my chest as I meet her gaze. “Yes,kiska. It’s me.”
Lila blinks up at me, her eyes wide and clouded with confusion. Her hand presses lightly against her temple as if she’s trying to piece together a puzzle that doesn’t make sense.
“How did this happen?” she whispers, her voice trembling.
There’s no easy way to answer her, but I owe her the truth, or at least part of it.
“Lila,” I begin, my voice soft but firm, “you’ve been drawn into a world you didn’t know existed. A world your father and I have been part of for years.”
Her lips part, and she stares at me like I’ve just spoken another language. “What are you talking about? My father…my father doesn’t even—” She stops herself, shaking her head like she can’t believe what she’s saying. “This can’t be real.”
“It is,” I say, my tone steady. “Your father and I arranged this marriage. It was necessary to solidify alliances, to ensure safety on both sides.”
She laughs bitterly, the sound sharp and laced with disbelief. “Safety? Alliances? What does that even mean?”
“It means,” I say, leaning closer, “that there are people who would hurt you to hurt him. People who wouldn’t hesitate to use you as leverage. This marriage changes that. It makes you untouchable.”
Her breathing quickens, and she presses her hands to her face, shaking her head. “No. No, this doesn’t make sense. Why would you—why wouldhe—” Her voice breaks, and she looks at me, her green eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it wasn’t my choice to make,” I admit, my jaw tightening. “Your father kept you in the dark for a reason.”
Her laughter comes again, hollow and broken. “A reason? What possible reason could justify this?”
I don’t respond immediately, my throat tightening as her words cut through me. She has every right to be angry, every right to hate me for the part I’ve played in this.
“You betrayed me,” she says, her voice quieter now, but no less sharp. “You…you knew who I was. From the moment we met. Youknew.”
“I did,” I admit, my voice low. “I knew. But I couldn’t tell you. Not yet.”
Her head snaps up, and her eyes narrow. “Not yet? When, then? After you tricked me into this sham of a marriage? When I was trapped with no way out?”
I reach for her hand, but she pulls away, the movement quick and full of hurt.
“I hate you,” she whispers, her voice trembling with emotion. “I hate you for this.”