A marriage of shadows and fire

heart pounded in my ears as I watched him sit there, so calm, so confident, as if he had every right to be in

ouse?" I demanded, my

number? What do

ile that sent a chill dow

ach churned with disgust as I stood

, you're old enough to be my grandfather. I

r threatened to overwhelm me. "Now, I'll ask yo

outburst. "I get whatever I want, however I want it. Forget all that.

wavering, as if I had n

ad, my voice

al. Please-stay away from me. I love Daniel. I can

eady to flee, but his

n a fraction of what you'll have with me. Think abou

ant. And I will get yo

w. I stared at him, my puls

nted, you can be sure of this: you'll

on my heel and storming out, the heat o

lay in bed one quiet morning, the ringing of my phone cut through the stil

. There's an emer

I scrambled out of bed, rushing through my m

m, her face strained and pale. I barely had time to process

" My voice was frantic, a sense

ast as if steeling herself. "Celi

ted in knots as I wait

re," she said, her

ve of heat washing over me. My chest

mother continued, her gaze meeting

down. Why, Celine? Why would you turn away

fists, but I fought t

ords came out shaky. "You act

's the CEO of Dickson Limited-a multi-million dollar

in around me, my breat

th a man old enough to be my fathe

e in my throat as I strug

rdened, and

e? That doesn't matter. All you n

most menacing. "Don't mess this up for

sorb the words. My mother's voice, the coldness in h

. We're engaged. He loves me," I whispered, fee

u wanted this for

Dickson can. He can't even take care of you properly. But Dickson? He's offerin

nable to believe w

im. I can't marry so

him when you become his wife. And if you don't, Ce

disown you. I will mak

t of her betrayal pressing down on me. I couldn't believe my m

stop them. My heart shattered with every word. I felt like I was drowning in it

u d

don't understand anything about this man. You only ca

replied coldly,

ificed everything for you. Now

ling. I couldn't breathe. The tears wouldn't stop, th

had just engulfed me. My heart ached, my soul bruised. And s

felt for Daniel and the crushing weight of the choices my mother was making for me. I cried, unable to stop,

one? Would I lose e

t know.

find out s