03. The World Is Small

ARIELLA…..

If anyone had told me I’d get married out of revenge, I would have laughed. But then again, a year ago, I thought I knew what love was. Turns out, love was just my boyfriend with another woman fucking her in our future home we built together and zero shame about it. The betrayal burned, but what stung worse was knowing my father heard about it before I could explain.

Nathan Davenport didn’t believe in emotional mistakes. And certainly not in daughters. Because my late grandaunt made the same mistake and lost her life by her Mate’s hands.

His final words to me were like a door slamming shut: “I don’t want to hear from you until you remember what it means to be a Davenport.”

So, I remembered. Just not the way he intended.

I married my ex’s stepbrother. A courthouse. Two witnesses who couldn’t care less. No romance, no vows worth remembering—just a contract I thought would ruin my ex’s peace for the rest of his life.

We agreed it was temporary. No messy entanglements. No pretending. Just an arrangement and a silent understanding to stay out of each other’s way.

And for two weeks, that worked.

Until tonight.

I was walking up the familiar stone steps of my father’s home, palms clammy, heart stuttering like I was eighteen again, sneaking in after curfew. This wasn’t about revenge anymore. I wanted my father back.

He opened the door, same as always—tall, commanding, every inch the man whose approval I’d been chasing since childhood.

“Dad,” I started and wanted to hug him like I used to.

“I don’t want to hear it,” he cut me off, turning toward the living room. “What’s done is done. I’ve already made arrangements.”

My stomach tightened. “Arrangements?” I looked at my mother who looked helpless. My brother Knox was also standing with her. I followed him inside, my heels clicking on the marble.

“You’re twenty-one. It’s time you settled down properly with someone respectable. He’s coming for dinner tonight.”

I froze. “You’ve… chosen someone for me?”

“Yes. A man I know will treat you well. You have no say to it. Last time you opposed me and ended up hurt like this. Now you will only listen to me. You should know that your father wants the best for you. He won't push you into the hellhole. He will try his best to give you the best.”

Panic prickles at my skin. I bit down on the truth that I was already married. I’d tell him later. Not now, not when he was finally letting me back into his life.

I went to Mom and hugged her. “I missed you, Mom.” Tears rolled down from my eyes as I held her close to me. I missed home.

“I missed you too, sweetheart. Now that you are home, I won't let you go anywhere soon. You will stay before my eyes only.” I pulled away from Mom.

“Mom, who is the guy Dad just mentioned?” I asked her. And she sighed.

“He's a nice guy, Ariella. His grandfather was your grandfather's friend. And his Mother was a close friend of your father too. He's perfect for you.” Mom held my face tenderly and smiled. I felt bad for hiding things from her. I even didn't tell my marriage with Zach to Knox.

“Knox, come with me. I need to talk about something important with you.” I held his arm to drag him with me.

By the time the doorbell rang, my pulse was unsteady. My heart skipped a beat. He's here. I couldn't discuss this matter with Knox. He could have saved me from this mess. He's my life saver.

The butler opened the door. Footsteps echoed across marble.

My world spun when my gaze fell on our guest.

There he was.

My husband.

Looking maddeningly put together in a navy suit, his eyes locking on mine like he’d been expecting me. That familiar smirk tugged at his lips, but something in his gaze was… softer. Warmer.

I froze.

WHAT THE HELL!

What is he doing here?

“Evening, Ariella,” he said, his voice smooth, almost amused.

“Zach, welcome. We are very pleased to finally meet you. Please come in. We have been looking forward to this day.” I snapped my head towards Dad who advanced towards Zach with a warm smile on his face.

Don't tell me that Zach is the guy Dad chose for me.

Dad and Zach shook their hands in a friendly way. They spoke like old friends. My father even laughed, a sound that I hadn't heard from him in years. Mom and Knox also joined Dad to welcome Zach.

The Universe doesn't just kick you when you’re down, it stomps until you’re flat.

“It’s so good to finally meet you in person. We’ve heard a lot about you, all good things, don’t worry! Come in, make yourself at home.” Mom chimed happily.

“So, you’re the famous young man we’ve been hearing about! Don’t worry, the scary questions can wait until after dinner. Come with me.” Knox wrapped his arm around Zach and led him inside. My pulse was still hammering when Zach walked into the dining room with Zach, all charm and expensive cologne.

And then my husband’s gaze slid to me, and the air seemed to thicken. He sat directly across from me, leaning back in his chair like he owned the space. And I swear his eyes were laughing even if his mouth stayed politely curved.

“So,” my father said as the first course arrived, “You two have met before?”

I almost choked on my water.

Met? We are legally husband and wife now.

“We’ve crossed paths,” my husband said, smoothly but his eyes locked on mine.

Crossed paths. Sure. That’s one way to describe signing marriage papers with someone you barely know.

My father looked pleased. “I thought as much. You seem well-suited.”

I stabbed my fork into my asparagus with a little too much force. “We’re… familiar with each other.”

“Oh, I would say very familiar,” he murmured, and there it was that infuriating smirk again. Except this time, there was something almost… searching in his eyes.

I couldn’t figure it out. This was supposed to be my revenge pawn. The man who agreed to a sham marriage just to mess with my ex. Yet the way he looked at me across the table made my chest feel tight.

The conversation moved on to business deals and mutual acquaintances, and I sat there, pretending to listen. Every time I glanced up, he was already looking at me, not in a way that felt like a challenge, but in a way that felt… personal.

He didn't look away once. Not when the main course was served. Not when I tried to avoid him by focusing on my plate.

By dessert, my father was pouring brandy and talking about the importance of loyalty. I wondered if he’d still feel so inspired if he knew his hand-picked suitor had already slipped a ring on my finger weeks ago in a registered office.

“Why do I feel that something is off with you?" Knox asked me, looking worried.

"Becase I'm loosing my mind. If you hear my problem you will also be shocked, thinking how I'm still sitting here calmly.” I whispered to him, holding my smile on my lips.

“Let's meet in our favorite spot then we will talk about your matter. Now be the Daddy's good girl and behave otherwise, he will definitely disown you this time for sure.” Knox whispered back.

"I know.”

When the night finally ended, my father excused himself to take a call, leaving the two of us in the foyer. Knox went to use the washroom and still hadn't come back.

“You could’ve told him,” he said, stepping closer.

“You could’ve stayed away,” I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady.

His mouth curved, but his voice softened. “And miss seeing you again?”

That was new. My heart stuttered, but before I could respond, my father’s footsteps returned. He stepped back, the mask of easy arrogance slipping back into place.

And I was left wondering if maybe just maybe this man wasn’t here for revenge at all.

They were engaged with business talk when I slipped away from there, excusing myself. I couldn't stay there any longer. I felt suffocated. On my way to my room I found Knox and pulled him with me.

“What happened to you today? Why are you acting so strangely?” Knox asked me sitting on my bed.

“I'm going to tell you a secret now. Just don't overreact.” His brows wrinkled together in confusion.

“Don't tell me you messed up again.” Squinting his eyes at me, he asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

“The guy Dad chose for me is Vaughn’s stepbrother. And I married him two weeks ago to get revenge on Vaughn.” I told him in one go and he stared at me blankly. He blinked.

Then he got up with a jerk. “What? You are married to Zach Winchester?” My eyes went wide at his loud voice. I went to him and hit his arm.

“Lower your voice. We can't let anyone know about this.” I scolded him.

“You are scolding me? You should be the one to be scolded.” Pointing his finger at me he scolded me.

“What was the need to marry him for revenge? You could have destroyed him from here.” Knox pointed out.

“I know. But It wouldn't hurt him the way it will hurt him to see me with his stepbrother who he detest to his core. And when I will become the Luna of his pack, it will be worth watching to see his face. He will be left with nothing, only ashes.” Knox shook his head.

“You are unbelievable. What if Zach wasn't the guy you married, what would you do then?” Knox asked me.

“Our marriage is just a contract marriage. I would have divorced him after some time. But now I'm stuck with him.” I shared my problem with him.

“You have no other choice, little sister. You have to marry him again in front of our father. If you refuse to marry him then he will never forgive you. Moreover, don't think he doesn't love you. He's worried about your future. He wants you to settle down with someone who will keep you happy forever. Zach is a nice man. He is nothing like Vaughn. Give him a chance. If your marriage doesn't work in a year I will talk to Dad about your divorce with him.” Knox tried to convince me.

I thought for some moments then agreed with him. Because I didn't have any intention to get into any relationship again. It was a revenge game with no feelings attached. It will remain like this. I will stay in this marriage for a year then I will divorce Zach.

Knox patted my head and left my room. I went out to look down to see if Dad and Zach were still there. But the living room was empty. I stopped a maid who was passing by. “My father and the guest were talking down there, where are they now?”

She bowed before me. “Lady Ariella, Alpha Nathan went to his study room and the guest is in the garden.”

“You can leave now.” I dismissed her.

‘What is he doing there? Isn't he supposed to leave? Or is he staying back tonight? I will go and confront him for not telling me about this.