Chapter 2

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the photograph of Damian Cross sitting on her father's table.

Of all the men her parents could have chosen, why him?

She tossed the blanket aside and sat up.

Her phone buzzed.

Mum: Be ready by ten tomorrow. We're having lunch with the Cross family.

Aurelia stared at the message.

Of course.

They weren't even giving her time to process the fact that her entire future had just been decided.

She typed a response.

I'll be there.

Then deleted it.

She typed again.

Do I have a choice?

Deleted that too.

Finally, she dropped the phone on the bed.

"No point arguing with people who already made the decision."

The next morning, Aurelia stood in front of her wardrobe.

She had no intention of dressing for Damian.

She chose a simple black dress, left her hair loose over her shoulders, and added a pair of silver earrings.

If her family wanted a perfect bride, they could find one somewhere else.

When she arrived at the restaurant, her parents were already there.

And so was the Cross family.

Aurelia's eyes immediately landed on Damian.

He was standing beside his father, dressed in a dark suit with one hand casually in his pocket.

He looked exactly as she remembered.

Cold.

Confident.

Annoyingly handsome.

His eyes found hers.

For several seconds, neither of them looked away.

Then Damian's mouth curved slightly.

"You're late."

Aurelia stopped walking.

"Seven minutes."

"Apparently, that's becoming a habit."

Her eyes narrowed.

"And apparently, you're still annoying."

Damian's faint smile disappeared.

"Nice to see you too, Aurelia."

Her mother quickly stepped forward.

"Let's sit."

Everyone took their seats.

The conversation began with business.

Numbers.

Contracts.

Investments.

Expansion.

Aurelia listened silently until Damian's father finally turned toward her.

"So, Aurelia, what do you think about the arrangement?"

She placed her glass down.

"Which part?"

"The marriage."

"Do I have a choice?"

Her father cleared his throat.

"Aurelia."

She smiled politely.

"Sorry. I meant that I'm honored."

Damian looked at her.

"You don't sound honored."

"And you don't look excited."

His father chuckled.

"You two have always had strong personalities."

"We're not children anymore," Damian said.

Aurelia glanced at him.

"Speak for yourself."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

The tension between them was obvious.

Serena suddenly entered the restaurant.

Aurelia froze.

"Sorry I'm late."

Serena walked over with a bright smile.

She was beautiful in the effortless way that always attracted attention.

She hugged Victoria before greeting everyone else.

Then she turned to Damian.

"Damian."

Her voice changed.

It became softer.

Aurelia noticed.

So did Damian.

"Serena."

There was something in the way they looked at each other.

Something familiar.

Something Aurelia couldn't ignore.

Serena eventually sat beside Aurelia.

"I heard the news," she whispered.

Aurelia kept her eyes forward.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Serena smiled.

"But you don't look happy."

"I'm thrilled."

"You don't have to pretend with me."

Aurelia finally looked at her.

"What makes you think I'm pretending?"

Serena shrugged.

"Because I know you."

Aurelia smiled faintly.

"Then you should know I don't scare easily."

Serena's smile faded for half a second.

Then she looked toward Damian.

"You should be careful."

"About what?"

Serena lowered her voice.

"Damian isn't an easy man."

Aurelia almost laughed.

"Neither am I."

Across the table, Damian was watching them.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, Aurelia wondered what he was thinking.

Then he looked away.

Lunch continued.

Eventually, the parents began discussing wedding arrangements.

Aurelia's head started hurting.

She pushed her chair back.

"I'm going outside."

No one stopped her.

She walked onto the restaurant's terrace and leaned against the railing.

A few seconds later, footsteps approached.

She didn't need to turn around.

"Go away, Damian."

"You're surprisingly good at recognizing my footsteps."

"I recognize arrogance from anywhere."

He stopped beside her.

"You really haven't changed."

"Neither have you."

Damian looked at her.

"Do you hate me?"

Aurelia turned.

"Do you want the honest answer?"

"Always."

"Yes."

He nodded slowly.

"Good."

She frowned.

"Good?"

"It means we're both clear about where we stand."

Aurelia crossed her arms.

"And where exactly do you stand?"

Damian stepped closer.

"You're my future wife."

Her heart skipped, but she refused to show it.

"Don't remind me."

"You'll get used to it."

"I doubt that."

Damian leaned slightly toward her.

"You should understand something before this marriage happens."

"What?"

"I don't intend to control you."

Aurelia blinked.

"That's unexpected."

"But I expect the same freedom from you."

"What exactly does that mean?"

"Live your life. I'll live mine."

Aurelia studied his face.

"So we're basically strangers living under the same roof?"

"That would be easier."

She smiled.

"Perfect."

Damian's gaze lingered on her.

"One more thing."

"What?"

"Don't believe everything Serena tells you."

Aurelia's smile disappeared.

"What does Serena have to do with this?"

Damian didn't answer.

He simply turned and walked back inside.

Aurelia remained on the terrace.

For the first time, something about the entire arrangement bothered her.

Damian's warning.

Serena's strange behavior.

And the way they had looked at each other.

She didn't know what game they were playing.

But she had a feeling she had just been invited onto the board.

And Aurelia Sterling had never liked losing.