My Mother's Chosen Husband

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.

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."

Sienna sat stiffly on the leather couch in her father's study, her fingers drumming against the armrest as she watched Leonel with narrowed eyes. The tension in the room was suffocating, thick with unspoken resentment and reluctant acceptance. Her parents had left them alone to "get to know each other," but Sienna wasn't interested in small talk.

Leonel, however, appeared completely unaffected by the situation. He sat across from her, legs crossed, one arm resting lazily against the chair's armrest, exuding the kind of effortless control that made her skin crawl.

"So," she began, breaking the silence, "why are you agreeing to this?"

Leonel's gray eyes met hers, cold and calculating. "For the same reason you are."

Sienna scoffed. "Oh? And what reason is that?"

"You have no choice." His voice was calm, matter-of-fact. "Neither do I."

She hated how he said it-so emotionless, as if it was nothing more than a simple business deal. Maybe for him, it was.

Sienna leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "You could've refused. You're Leonel Aldric. Your family might be powerful, but you're not the kind of man who can be forced into anything."

Leonel tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words. Then he smirked-just barely, but enough to make her stomach twist.

"And yet, here I am."

That answer was not what she had expected. She had assumed he was just another puppet in his family's power games, much like she was in hers. But there was something unsettling about how calm he was.

Sienna gritted her teeth. "So, you're really going to go through with this? Marry a woman you don't even know?"

Leonel leaned forward, mirroring her posture. "And you? Will you?"

She hesitated. "I don't have a choice."

"Then we're the same."

His gaze was steady, unwavering. It wasn't comforting. It was a warning.

Sienna exhaled sharply and leaned back into the couch. "Fine," she said. "We'll get married. But don't expect me to play the doting wife."

Leonel smirked again, a ghost of amusement flickering across his otherwise stoic expression. "That's good to know."

She narrowed her eyes. "I mean it. I'm going to make your life a living hell until you regret agreeing to this."

Leonel studied her for a moment, then reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a sleek, silver pen. He twirled it between his fingers, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Are you finished?" he asked.

Sienna clenched her jaw. "No, actually. I have conditions."

Leonel raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"If we're going through with this sham of a marriage, I want a deal."

He exhaled slowly, looking mildly amused but still unreadable. "Go on."

She straightened her spine. "We act like a married couple in public, but behind closed doors, I don't want you anywhere near me. We live our lives separately."

Leonel didn't react immediately. He simply watched her, his expression giving nothing away. Then he nodded. "Fine."

She hadn't expected him to agree so easily. "That's it? No argument?"

"You don't want this marriage. I don't need a wife. That arrangement works for me," he said. "But I have a condition of my own."

Sienna narrowed her eyes. "What is it?"

Leonel leaned forward again, his voice dropping slightly. "You do not humiliate me in public. You can hate me all you want behind closed doors, but you will not damage my reputation."

Sienna's lips parted slightly at his words. He wasn't asking for love, or loyalty, or even respect. Just control.

"Agreed," she said, crossing her arms.

Leonel extended a hand toward her.

She stared at it for a moment before shaking it.

His grip was firm, steady-too steady. She pulled her hand away quickly, suddenly feeling as if she had just made a deal with the devil.

"Then it's settled," Leonel said, standing. "I'll have my assistant send over the paperwork. We'll be married by the end of the month."

Sienna's stomach twisted. It was happening. It was really happening.

And there was no way out.