Chapter 1 The Marriage Neither of Them Wanted

Sienna had always believed she was in control of her own life. She was the kind of woman who refused to be bound by anyone's rules-especially not those imposed by her family. She had spent years reveling in the freedom that came with being the only daughter of the esteemed Calloway family, a name synonymous with power, wealth, and influence.

Yet here she was, sitting stiffly in the grand living room of her family's estate, hands clenched into fists on her lap, her jaw locked in silent defiance.

Her mother, Evelyn Calloway, perched gracefully on the opposite couch, her expression calm yet firm. "You have no choice in this matter, Sienna. The arrangement has been made."

Sienna let out a sharp breath, her chest rising and falling with barely restrained anger. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I'm very serious," Evelyn said smoothly, sipping her tea as if they were merely discussing an afternoon charity gala rather than Sienna's entire future. "The engagement has been finalized. You'll marry Leonel Aldric next month."

Sienna flinched at the name. She knew of him, of course-who didn't? Leonel Aldric, heir to the Aldric empire, a man as ruthless in business as he was cold in demeanor. A man who had never shown interest in anything outside his work. She had seen him once, from a distance, at a corporate event. Even from across the room, he had exuded an aura of distance and indifference, as if the world itself failed to interest him.

And now she was expected to marry him?

She shook her head, laughing bitterly. "This is ridiculous. You expect me to marry some emotionless businessman just because it benefits the family? I'm not some pawn you can trade for your alliances, Mother."

Evelyn's expression hardened. "You may not like it, but you will go through with it. This is not about love, Sienna. It's about power. Our family's legacy depends on this marriage."

Sienna stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the marble floor. "I refuse."

"Then be prepared to lose everything," Evelyn said coolly. "Your accounts, your privileges, your inheritance. If you walk away from this marriage, you will no longer be a Calloway."

The words struck like a slap. Sienna's breathing turned uneven. She knew her mother was capable of cruelty, but this? This was beyond anything she had imagined.

"You wouldn't dare," she whispered.

Evelyn merely smiled. "Try me."

The weight of her mother's ultimatum settled on her shoulders like chains tightening around her body. If she refused, she would lose everything she had ever known. If she agreed... she would be bound to a man who had no heart to give.

Her fingers curled into fists.

Fine. If they wanted her to marry Leonel Aldric, then she would.

But she wouldn't make it easy for him. If she was going down, she would make sure she took him with her.