The rain pounded against the windows of Elina's family mansion, the storm outside mirroring the chaos inside her heart. She stood by the window, staring at the darkened sky, trying to block out the frantic arguments that echoed through the house. Her father's voice rose above the others, sharp and commanding.
"You have no choice, Elina. The wedding is tomorrow. You will marry him, whether you like it or not."
Her fingers tightened around the glass. She hadn't seen him in years—the man who was now to be her husband, the billionaire Liam Carter. The man who hated her. The man she had shared a night of reckless passion with, only to be left with more than just memories.
One night. That's all it had been. But it was enough to change everything. Enough to lead to a child. A child she had kept hidden from him, from the world.
Elina closed her eyes, her mind racing back to that night, that night when everything had felt so real, so inevitable. But that was before Liam had vanished, before she found out the truth. Before the world shattered.
Her breath hitched. She couldn't do this. She couldn't marry him. He was cold, unfeeling, and brutal. The last thing he wanted was a woman like her—and especially not a child.
But her family had made their decision. And her father's word was law.
"I've made arrangements," her father's voice broke through her thoughts. "Liam Carter is coming tonight. We'll announce the engagement. No more excuses."
Elina turned away from the window, her pulse quickening. There was no escaping this. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.
But even though she knew this was all wrong, even though the marriage felt like a cruel twist of fate, something deep within her stirred. A part of her wanted to confront him, wanted to see his face again, to finally demand answers.
Was he truly the man she had fallen for that night? Or had he become the ruthless, indifferent billionaire the world knew him as?
The door slammed open, and Elina's gaze snapped to the entrance. Liam stood in the doorway, his silhouette dark and imposing against the light from the hallway.
His cold eyes scanned the room, locking onto hers.
"Elina," he said, his voice low, deep. "I trust you're ready for the wedding?"
Elina's heart stopped. His gaze was calculating, unreadable, and it made her skin crawl. How could she marry this man when he didn't even know the truth?
His eyes flickered over her, scanning her like a stranger. She felt her stomach twist.
"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm not ready."
His lips curved into a thin, humorless smile. "You don't have a choice."
And just like that, he sealed her fate.
The tension in the room thickened as Liam stepped further inside, his presence overwhelming. Elina stood frozen, fighting back the wave of emotions threatening to overtake her. She hadn't seen him in years, but the memory of that night—the passion, the fire—was still vivid. Yet, now, all she saw was a man who didn't care about her, about her life, about the child she carried.
"Don't you have any questions, Elina?" Liam's voice was soft, mocking. "Don't you want to know why I agreed to this marriage?"
Her heart pounded harder. Of course she wanted answers. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him everything—the truth of their night together, the child, everything. But the words wouldn't come.
She simply nodded, her throat tight.
"Good," he said, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer, his gaze piercing through her. "Because I don't plan on being your knight in shining armor. I'm here for one reason, and one reason only. This marriage will be a business arrangement. Nothing more. Do I make myself clear?"
Elina swallowed, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. She nodded again, too overwhelmed to speak. This wasn't love. This wasn't even kindness. This was a cold, calculated decision.
But then, as if he could sense her inner turmoil, Liam's gaze softened just a fraction. It was barely noticeable, but it was there. And for a split second, Elina wondered if he could sense the secret she carried.
"I'll see you at the altar tomorrow," Liam said, his voice low. "Be ready."
With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Elina standing alone in the quiet, the storm outside still raging.
She wasn't ready. She wasn't ready for the marriage, for the secrets that still lay between them, for the child who would never have the chance to know his father.
And yet, somewhere deep inside, she knew one thing for sure. Thi
s wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.
---
End of Chapter 1