Forever Bound

ituation - a marriage of convenience that would bind her to the man who represented everything she despised. She spent the days in her family's mansion, the w

after the way he'd cornered her last time. His reflection moved closer, and she could feel the heat of his presence. "You've been avoiding me," he said, his tone casual, but there was an edge to it. "I don't like being ignored, Ava." Ava fought the instinct to stiffen. She had been avoiding him on purpose. She didn't want to give him any more control than he already had. But she wasn't foolish enough to think that her avoidance meant anything to him. He was a man who thrived on power and submission. Her resistance would only amuse him, but for now, that was all she had. "Not avoiding you," she said, meeting his gaze in the mirror, her voice steady. "Just busy." A long beat of silence passed between them before he spoke again, his words deliberate. "You know this marriage is inevitable. The deal is done. But don't mistake my patience for weakness, Ava. You will be mine." The words hung in the air, as heavy as iron chains. She could feel the weight of them in the pit of her stomach, but she refused to let them break her resolve. "Maybe," she said coolly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But that doesn't mean I'll *ever* belong to you." He didn't respond at first, and the silence grew thick, oppressive. She could hear his breathing, slow and even, as if he was savoring the moment. Finally, he moved, his hand coming up to her chin, lifting her face toward him. His touch was cold, controlled, and the spark of electricity between them made her heart race. But Ava kept her gaze steady, refusing to let him see the vulnerability that stirred beneath her defiance. "Is that so?" His voice was barely above a whisper, but the threat in it was clear. "You'll see. I'll break you, Ava. You'll *want* to belong to me. I'll make sure of it." Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she almost let herself lose control. But the sound of his words - the weight of his certainty - reminded her that she couldn't afford to falter. She couldn't let him win. Not yet. With a flick of his wrist, Alessandro released her chin