The Don's Unwanted Bride

CHAPTER 19

Hayden's POV

The silence in the room was thick. I could hear her shallow breaths, the way her chest rose and fell as she stared at me like I had grown another head.

Good. That meant my words landed exactly the way I wanted.

I stood tall, my hands still in my pockets, watching her closely. Her eyes, those wide, expressive eyes, were darting across the floor like she was searching for an escape that didn’t exist. I didn’t blame her. If I were her, I’d probably want to run too. But this was no longer a matter of wants. It was a matter of decisions.

And it was time she made one.

"You’re lying," she said finally, her voice low but edged with steel.

I raised a brow. "Am I?"

"Yes. My father wouldn't—he wouldn’t fly all the way here just to throw me at another man. That’s what you do, not him."

I chuckled under my breath. "You give him too much credit, sweetheart. Do you think you're the first pawn he's tried to use to secure power?"

She flinched, like the truth slapped her.

"I know Nicolai," I continued. "He doesn’t waste time on damaged alliances. He fixes them. Quickly. And if that means replacing one fiancé with another, he’ll do it before dinner."

"That’s sick."

"Welcome to our world."

She shook her head and took a step back, like she was trying to find space between us. "Why would you even want me if you think I’m just a pawn?"

"Because you’re not just a pawn to me." I paused. Let it sink in. "You’re the queen on the board, Alyssa. And I won't lose my queen."

Her lips parted, but she didn’t speak.

That flicker in her eyes again, hesitation, curiosity, and just a sliver of something like hope. She wanted to believe I meant that. The scary part was I did.

I took a step forward, slowly, carefully. “I need to know something.”

She frowned. “What?”

“I’m going to ask you this again. If it came down to me or this stranger your father is bringing, who would you choose?”

She looked away. “That’s not fair.”

“It’s life,” I said. “And life’s not fair.”

Silence stretched between us like a rubber band ready to snap.

When she didn’t answer, I leaned against the edge of the table and folded my arms. “You said you wouldn’t marry me.”

“I meant it.”

“Well, I’m giving you an out. I’m not forcing you, Alyssa. I’m offering you a deal.”

She looked back at me, confused. “A deal?”

I nodded. “Let’s make a deal.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What kind of deal?”

“The kind where we both get something out of this mess.”

“You’re being vague.”

I sighed. “Fine. You want freedom. I want security, both personal and political. You marry me, and you get what you want. The gates open. You live your life. You do what you want. No more babysitters, no more guards, no more being locked up in some penthouse like a kept woman.”

Her mouth opened but I kept going.

“If what you’re afraid of is being tied down to a man like me, this marriage can be an open relationship.”

Now she looked like I had punched her in the gut. “You’d be okay with that?”

I shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the first time someone married for convenience.”

She scoffed. “So what? I go sleep with other men while you do whatever mafia kings do and we just smile for the photos?”

I chuckled. “If that’s what makes you feel free, then yes.”

“You’re insane.”

I smirked, without replying to her.

She stayed quiet for a moment, and I could see the wheels in her head turning. Her brow furrowed, lips pressed together. She was considering it.

Not because she wanted to marry me, no, that part was still clear. She was considering it because she didn’t want the alternative. And I was counting on that.

"Why would you even offer something like that?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

“Because I know you, Alyssa. You don’t like being owned. You don't trust easily. And you sure as hell don’t surrender. So I’m not asking you to.”

She looked up at me.

I gave her a smirk. “I’m offering a partnership. You keep your freedom. I keep my empire.”

Her silence stretched. I didn’t rush her.

Then she whispered, “That’s… reasonable.”

I smiled slowly, pushing off the table and taking a few steps toward her. “Reasonable,” I echoed. “I like that.”

She tilted her head, suspicion flickering again. “You’re too calm about this.”

“Because I already know what your answer is going to be.”

“You’re cocky.”

“I’m right.”

“God, you’re so—” She stopped herself and took a sharp breath. “So what now?”

“Now?” I said, taking another step until I was close enough to feel her breath. “Now you get ready.”

“For what?”

I grinned. “Tomorrow is our wedding.”

Her eyes widened. “What?!”

I shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world. “You said the deal was reasonable. I’m not wasting time.”

“You want me to marry you tomorrow?”

“Technically, today’s almost over. So yeah, tomorrow is the D-day”

“What?!