Chapter 2 The Cold Stranger She Must Marry

Sienna stormed into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her with enough force to rattle the paintings on the wall. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath uneven as she tried to process what had just happened.

She was trapped.

She had always known her family valued power over personal happiness, but this? Forcing her into a loveless marriage just to secure an alliance? It was a cruel joke.

Grabbing the nearest object-a delicate crystal vase-she hurled it across the room. It shattered against the wall, the sound echoing through the vast space. The sight of the broken shards did nothing to soothe her frustration.

Her mother had given her an ultimatum, and she had no doubt that Evelyn Calloway would follow through with her threat. If Sienna refused, she would be cut off without hesitation.

She couldn't let that happen.

For all her rebellious nature, she was no fool. She had spent her entire life surrounded by wealth and privilege. Losing it all would be a disaster.

But if they expected her to be a quiet, obedient wife, they were sorely mistaken.

She would marry Leonel Aldric, but she would make his life hell until he was the one begging for a divorce.

With that resolution solidified in her mind, she grabbed her phone and searched his name. The screen was soon filled with news articles, business reports, and photos of the man she was supposed to marry.

Leonel Aldric.

Every picture showed him the same way-standing tall in perfectly tailored suits, his expression cold, his gaze piercing. His presence alone exuded an intimidating authority, as if he owned every room he stepped into.

She had seen many powerful men in her life, but there was something unsettling about him. Unlike others who basked in their influence, Leonel seemed completely uninterested in anything outside his work. His face was unreadable, his eyes void of warmth.

What kind of man was he?

Did he even want this marriage?

Before she could overthink, a soft knock sounded at her door.

"Miss Sienna," came the voice of her father's assistant. "Your fiancé has arrived. Your parents request your presence in the main hall."

She stiffened.

So soon?

She swallowed down her nerves and straightened her posture. If Leonel Aldric was going to be her husband, she needed to meet him on equal ground. No fear. No hesitation.

Taking a deep breath, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room.

As she descended the grand staircase, her gaze immediately landed on the man standing in the center of the hall.

Leonel Aldric was even more imposing in person.

Tall and impeccably dressed in a dark suit, he stood with his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. His sharp features-high cheekbones, a chiseled jaw, and piercing gray eyes-gave him an almost statuesque appearance.

There was no warmth in his gaze as he watched her approach. If anything, he looked... indifferent. As if this entire situation was nothing more than a business transaction to him.

Typical.

"Sienna," her father said, gesturing toward Leonel. "This is your fiancé."

She arched a brow. "So you're the man I'm being sold to?"

Her father stiffened, but Leonel didn't even blink.

"If that's how you choose to see it," he said smoothly, his voice deep and controlled. "Then yes."

His lack of reaction irritated her. Most men would have stumbled over themselves trying to placate her. Most men would have tried to win her favor, or at least shown some level of discomfort at the situation.

But Leonel?

He was completely unfazed.

She crossed her arms, tilting her head. "Do you even want this marriage?"

Leonel studied her for a moment before responding. "Want is irrelevant. It's happening regardless."

His words sent a chill through her.

So, he was just as trapped as she was.

Yet, he wasn't fighting it.

Why?

He was one of the most powerful men in the country. If he had wanted to stop this arrangement, he could have.

And yet, here he stood, willingly playing along.

Sienna narrowed her eyes. "Then I hope you're ready, Mr. Aldric. Because I don't intend to make this easy for you."

For the first time, something flickered in his expression-amusement, perhaps? But it was gone as quickly as it came.

"We'll see, Miss Calloway," he murmured. "We'll see."