Chapter 2 2

The next few days were a blur of meetings, preparations, and the relentless ticking of the clock. Zara could scarcely recall the time between the engagement party and the moment she stood before her father in his study, trying her best to maintain composure. Lorenzo Moretti's presence was always commanding, but today, it felt even more suffocating.

Zara stood in front of his large oak desk, her hands clasped together in front of her. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the flickering fireplace and the soft glow of a single desk lamp. Her father's gaze never left her, sharp and calculating, his fingers drumming lightly against the surface of the desk. She knew better than to speak before he did, so she remained silent, waiting for him to break the silence.

"Zara," he finally said, his voice low and measured. "I trust everything went smoothly at the engagement party."

Her heart raced. "Yes, Father. Everything went according to plan." The lie slipped off her tongue without hesitation, but the truth gnawed at her. Matteo's presence had done nothing to ease the tension in her chest, and the fleeting moment with Damon had haunted her thoughts ever since.

Her father gave a curt nod. "Good. It is imperative that this union strengthens the family. I expect you to show the proper respect to Matteo and his family. No mistakes."

Zara suppressed a sigh. "Of course, Father."

A long pause followed, during which her father studied her intently. His dark eyes, sharp and unyielding, seemed to search for something hidden beneath her composed exterior. Zara hated the way he could read her, as if he could sense even the faintest shift in her demeanor. There was no room for weakness, no room for defiance. She had learned that lesson well.

"You're a woman now, Zara," he said suddenly, breaking the silence. "Your duties are no longer just about your desires. This marriage is the next step in securing our legacy. You will learn to see the bigger picture."

A knot formed in her stomach. The bigger picture. Zara had heard those words more times than she could count, but the meaning behind them always felt the same: submit, obey, and never question.

"Yes, Father," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil rising inside her.

Her father's gaze softened, just slightly, and for a fleeting moment, Zara wondered if there was any part of him that still saw her as his daughter, rather than a tool to further his ambitions. But the moment passed quickly, replaced by the cold, calculated look that had defined him for as long as she could remember.

"You will meet with Matteo's family tomorrow evening to discuss the final details of the arrangement," he continued. "I expect you to make an impression. Show them the strength of the Moretti bloodline. It's time for the world to see that we are untouchable."

Zara nodded again, her thoughts drifting to Damon. She hadn't seen him since the party, but his image remained etched in her mind. The intensity of his gaze, the way he seemed to watch her from across the room-it was as if he could see straight through her, into the very core of who she was. The thought of him unsettled her, though she couldn't understand why. He was her family's enemy, a symbol of everything she was meant to hate.

But there was something else about him, something she couldn't ignore.

The sound of her father's voice broke through her thoughts. "I trust you understand the importance of this. Don't disappoint me."

Zara snapped back to the present, meeting her father's gaze. "I won't, Father. I promise."

With that, she turned on her heel and left the study, her footsteps echoing in the hallway. The weight of her father's expectations pressed down on her shoulders as she made her way to her room. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions-anger, confusion, and a deep sense of dread that she couldn't shake.

She knew what was expected of her. She had always known. Marrying Matteo would strengthen her family's position, and that was all that mattered. But somewhere deep inside, a part of her longed for more than this life of power plays and empty promises.

Zara had been raised to believe that love was a luxury, a weakness that had no place in their world. But as her father's words echoed in her mind, she couldn't help but wonder-What if love was the one thing she needed to break free from this life?

When she entered her room, she was greeted by the familiar silence. Her room, decorated in rich hues of gold and crimson, was a stark contrast to the chaos brewing inside her. She moved toward the large window overlooking the garden, her fingers tracing the cool glass as she stared out into the night.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light across the grounds. For a moment, Zara let herself imagine a life outside the walls of the Moretti estate. A life where she could choose her own path, free from the chains of her family's expectations.

But that was a dream, a fantasy. The reality was that she was trapped in a world of her father's making, and no amount of wishing would change that.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. She turned, her heart skipping a beat as she realized who it was.

"Zara?" Matteo's voice came through the door, smooth and unyielding.

She sighed, smoothing the front of her dress before crossing the room to open the door. Matteo stood on the other side, his usual calm expression masking any trace of emotion.

"May I come in?" he asked, his eyes scanning her face with the same cold intensity.

Zara hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to allow him into the room. He walked in with the confidence of a man who knew exactly what he wanted, and she couldn't help but feel a flicker of resentment. There was no warmth in his gaze, no tenderness in his words. Everything about their relationship was calculated, a mere transaction between two families.

"I trust everything is in order for tomorrow," he said, his voice low as he took a seat at the edge of her bed.

Zara nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Matteo had never been one for small talk, and she knew better than to try to engage him in any kind of meaningful conversation.

"I'm glad to hear that," he continued. "This marriage will be beneficial for both our families. I expect you to play your part. There will be no room for mistakes."

Zara kept her gaze steady, refusing to show any sign of weakness. "I understand, Matteo. I'll do my duty."

His lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Good. I trust you'll learn to embrace it. Once we're married, there will be no more room for doubt."

Zara nodded once more, forcing a polite smile onto her lips. "Of course."

Matteo stood, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

As he left, Zara couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. Her life was already set on a course she had no control over, but somewhere, hidden deep inside her, was a spark of defiance. A spark that had been ignited the moment she saw Damon King at that party.

She didn't know what it meant, or why it was there, but she couldn't ignore it.

And in the silence of her room, Zara made a silent vow to herself... One day, I will be free.