Married to the devil zillionaire

A'S

ill wearing a suit. Carissa pressed herself closer to him, her hand gleaming with the expensive ring. "Isn't he perfect? Daddy says he's the best match for me" Or the company? I scoffed. Then masked it with a smile. Leonardo didn't smile. But I saw it-subtle, almost unnoticed his fingers tightening around his glass, knuckles paling. Interesting. I looked away to see my beautiful stepsister focused on me. Carissa had noticed my stare and her smile thinned. Suspicion flared in her eyes. "What's with you?" Her voice sharpened. "You look like you're about to faint." "Just tired," I lied, clutching the wine glass in my hand for dear life. Carissa scoffed after her fiance left to socialize. "Lena, not tonight. Please." I exhaled shakily, grateful when Dad called for her and Leonardo. But the moment her attention shifted from me, his own was back. Watching me like a hawk. "I need to leave this party for my sanity." I murmured to no one in particular. I barely made it near the door before my father blocked me, his grip tightly pulling me to his office. "What is it, Dad?" I asked worried that something major was going on. My father shut the door behind us, his face taut with thinly veiled frustration. "You will behave tonight." His tone gave no argument. "You will be polite to Mr. Romero. I will not have you embarrass this family." My chest constricted. "I don't-" When was I rude? He cut me off, voice sharper. "I saw the way he looked at you." The floor shifted beneath me. "Leonardo Romero is Carissa's fiancé. And our family's future. I won't have you throw that away." I clenched my fists at my sides. "I'm not throwing anything away." "You will sign over your shares of the company to Carissa." The words hit me harder than any slap. "I don't get to disagree?" My voice trembled. He met my glare with icy resolve. "She'll be Mrs. Romero. The merger strengthens our company and this family. You have no choice." I wanted to scream. But before I could respond, the door swung open. Leonardo stood there. His dark eyes swept over me before meeting my father's. "I hope I'm not interrupting." My father straightened, voice coated with a thin veneer of respect. "Not at all, Mr. Romero." Leonardo's gaze returned to me, colder than ice but no less intense. "Dinner is starting." --- The dining hall glittered under the soft glow of candlelight. The world continued, oblivious. But I felt him. Leonardo's eyes never strayed far from me. I tried to eat, tried to drown out the dull roar of conversa