Chapter 5

He stops when he sees her, and his eyes narrow slightly. Alyssa immediately fills herself shrink, heart now racing as she wonders what could be going through his mind. He looks confused, almost irritated, but at the same time, Alyssa can see the curiosity in his eyes.

“Who is this?” he asks flatly, his voice deep and smooth, sending a chill passing through her entire body. But still, it is devoid of warmth.

His gaze moves from Alyssa to his parents, pointed and suspicious.

His parents exchange glances, and Mr. Valentino sighs as he steps forward without hesitation. “This is Alyssa Hart. Your future bride.”

Stephano doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. Instead, he keeps his eyes on his father for a few moments, then shifts his gaze to me, eyeing me from head to toe before turning back to his father.

Suddenly, he scoffs with irritation. “This is a joke.”

His words cause a sharp pang in my chest, and I gulp slightly as my gaze falters for a moment.

Mr Valentino visibly tenses and lets out a slow exhale through his nostrils.

“It’s not,” his father replies. “You knew this was coming.”

Stephano narrows his eyes at his father and takes a few steps forward.

“I told you... I’m not interested,” Stephano says sharply. “I’ve said it a hundred times. You think parading a bunch of random girls in front of me is going to change that? What makes this one different from the others?” He replies distastefully before motioning with his hand to her as if she meant nothing.

“This isn’t a request,” Mr. Valentino says. His voice is calm, but there’s steel underneath. “You’ve avoided this long enough. The time is approaching. Soon, this empire will be yours to command. And that role comes with responsibilities.”

Stephano’s eyes harden. “Responsibilities. You mean marriage. Children. Obedience.”

“I mean a future,” his father says. “A secured legacy. You can’t lead this family with nothing behind you. You need a wife. You need an heir.”

Alyssa stands frozen, her heart thudding painfully loud in her chest. She doesn’t dare speak.

Stephano looks at her again, and the air shifts.

His gaze is cold, but beneath it, curiosity. Not attraction. Not approval. Just a calculated assessment. Like he’s measuring her worth in real time. Even his mother seems tense now. Alyssa notices the stiffness in her posture, the way she avoids looking directly at her son.

Stephano turns back to his father. “You want me to tie myself to a stranger? To build a bloodline on command like I’m a breeding dog?”

Mr. Valentino’s jaw tightens, and he walks forward, meeting his son at eye level. "You will show respect. This family has waited long enough. I would rather you have a wife than get one of your whores pregnant and have an illegitimate child." His father fires back, his tone filled with venom. The tension in the air becomes heavier as the two men stare each other down, and Alyssa can't help but think of what Mr Valentino had just said... and Stephano's... whores...

Of course, a man that handsome has women throwing themselves all over him... but why does it make her feel so uneasy...?

"If you won’t take this seriously, then forget about inheriting anything. You can walk out of here with your pride, but not your name. It's either you agree to this, or you can forget about your inheritance."

The tension in the room is suffocating.

Stephano doesn’t speak. His jaw clenches, eyes fixed on his father like he might say something dangerous. His chest rises and falls slowly, and his fists are clenched tightly at his sides. Alyssa can see the anger radiating off of him, and it terrifies her. She doesn’t move. She doesn’t breathe. The back of her neck prickles like she’s standing too close to a fire.

Finally, Stephano exhales, long and slow, realising his fists, and turns back to face her.

He walks toward her, each step slow, like he’s testing her reaction. Alyssa's heart thunders in her chest, but she maintains her gaze on him, watching as he approaches her. 

When he stops in front of her, he simply stares, towering over her by almost an entire foot. His cologne reaches her nose and immediately overwhelms her senses. It's masculine, expensive and extremely inviting.

His expression is cold. Not impressed. Not disgusted. Just blank.

Alyssa feels pinned under his gaze. He’s terrifying. Not because he raises his voice or makes threats, but because he doesn’t have to. The danger is quiet. Clean. And it makes her wonder what exactly is he capable of...?

He looks her over from head to toe.

No apology.

No greeting.

Just cold analysis.

Alyssa tries not to flinch. Her spine stays straight. But inside, she’s trembling.

Then, finally, Stephano speaks.

“This would be a political arrangement,” he says, his voice quiet, his eyes never leaving hers. “Nothing more.”

Alyssa opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. She nods.

Mr. Valentino steps forward again. “As long as she can give you an heir, you’ll have the full support of this family. The title. The fortune. Everything.”

Stephano doesn’t respond right away or turn his gaze away from Alyssa. He studies her for another few seconds, before finally turning to his father.

“Fine.”

The word drops like a stone in a still pond.

“I’ll marry her.”

Mrs. Valentino exhales softly, as though she’d been holding her breath, and Mr. Valentino nods once, satisfied.

Alyssa is still frozen, still trying to process the fact that she’s just been agreed to, like a contract. Like property. But then she remembers her mother, how much she is suffering, and how she can put an end to it. Then she remembers, this will all be worth it, and she'll do whatever she can for her mom.

Stephano steps back from her, hands in his pockets, expression still detached.

“Don’t expect anything else from me,” he says flatly. “This is business. That’s all it will ever be.”

“I understand,” Alyssa says quietly.

It’s the first time she’s spoken in front of him, and the sound of her voice seems to surprise him. His eyebrows raise momentarily, but his expression quickly reverts to normal.

“This will be handled quickly,” Mr. Valentino says. “You will sign tomorrow. You’ll have whatever resources you need.”

Stephano says anything, instead he glares back at his father and nods stiffly, clearly still being upset about being forced into something he doesn't want.

Mrs. Valentino finally stands and brushes down her dress. “We’ll leave you two to get acquainted. Briefly. After that, Alyssa will be escorted home.”

Alyssa’s eyes widen slightly. She hadn’t known that was part of the plan.

Stephano raises an eyebrow. “I don’t need to get acquainted. I’ve already made my decision.”

“And you’ll honour it with basic courtesy,” his mother says quietly, for the first time speaking to him as though he’s not just her son, but a man capable of something dangerous.

Alyssa watches the interaction closely. Something passes between them. Something layered. There's a dynamic she is yet to understand, and she's not sure that if she wants to find out what it is.

Stephano doesn’t argue. Instead, he just walks to the far side of the room and begins pouring himself a glass of a brown liquid, alcohol, Alyssa presumes.

His parents leave without another word, and once they're gone, Alyssa feels the air become heavier.

Now it’s just the two of them.

Silence stretches. Alyssa doesn’t move from where she’s standing. She feels like she’s been dropped into an arena.

Stephano takes a sip of his beverage and turns to her.

“Let me make something clear,” he says, voice low and measured as he begins walking toward her. “You’re here because my father wants a successor. I don’t want a wife. I don’t want companionship..." He speaks, getting closer to her with each word that leaves his lips, up until he is right across from her.

"I don’t want you." He emphasises as he stands right in front of her, only inches apart.

The words hit hard, and Alyssa feels herself waver for a second, but still she keeps her composure.

Alyssa nods. “I don't want this either. At least that's something we can agree on...”

Alyssa's answer leaves Stephano surprised, just as he takes another sip from his glass.

"Then why did you agree to this?"

"Because. My mother is dying and I'm trying to save her." Alyssa answers calmly. "So even if neither of us wants this, we do need each other..."

"I don't need you either." His words are venomous, and Alyssa pauses for a second, exhaling through her nostrils as she tries her best not to let his words get to her.

"You do. Especially if you're going to get what you really want." Alyssa answers him confidently, and he seems amused by her answers, eyeing her once again from head to toe.

“You’re bold. Most women are too scared to speak to me the way you are...” He tells her, his voice low and smooth, making her gulp before gathering herself.

“I’m not most women.”

That makes him pause.

He stares at her without saying anything, then huffs lightly, right before downing the rest of his drink.

“You’ll have your own room,” he says. “You’ll be respected as long as you follow the rules. No lies. No drama. You stay out of my way, and this will go smoothly.”

Alyssa forces herself to speak. “And if I don’t?”

Stephano steps toward her again. Not too close... but close enough.

“I suggest you don’t test me.” His voice is threatening, sending her heart racing in her chest.

Alyssa meets his gaze despite everything in her body screaming not to.

“Fine.”

His lips twitch. The barest hint of something like approval.

“See you tomorrow, Miss Hart," he says, then begins backing away, eventually turning away and leaving her standing alone in the room.

Once he is gone, Alyssa blinks a few times, trying to understand what just happened to her. A voice soon calls out for her, making her head turn to the source and find the woman from earlier.

“Miss Hart. Your car is ready.” She says as she stands right by the entrance of the room.

Alyssa stands still for a few moments before nodding in response and walking out without another word.

Because what else is there to say?

She will be marrying Stephano Valentino... a complete stranger and heir to an empire beyond her understanding. But why does she feel there is more they're not telling her... and should she be glad they haven't yet told her... or should she be terrified for her life?