Chapter 4: I Want Him

Andrew pushed the door open and stepped into the house. The moment he entered, he saw Rihanna sitting on the large couch. As soon as she spotted him, she stood up and walked toward him, her eyes searching his face.

“So,” she said, her voice tight with curiosity, “how did it go?” Andrew didn’t answer immediately. He walked past her and dropped onto the couch, leaning back heavily. “It worked,” he said at last. “He agreed.”

Rihanna blinked, surprised. “Just like that?” she asked, moving closer and sitting beside him. Andrew turned his head to look at her. “Not without a price.” Something in his tone made her expression shift.

“What kind of price?” she asked. Andrew held her gaze for a moment before speaking.

“He wants our daughter,” he said. “He wants her to marry into his family.”

For a second, Rihanna froze then, her reaction came quickly. “What?” she snapped, her voice rising. “No. No, that’s not happening. My daughter? Stella?” She shook her head firmly. “I won’t allow it. Not into that family. Those people are dangerous—they don’t value human life.”

Andrew’s expression hardened. “Do you think I’m stupid?” he said sharply. “Do you really think I would hand Stella over to them?”

Rihanna paused as the anger in her face slowly faded. She sat back down properly, watching him more carefully now. “Then what are you thinking?” she asked.

Andrew leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. His voice dropped. “We give them Isabella as a substitute. By the time they find out anything, it’ll be too late. She’ll already be married into the family. The deal would be sealed.”

Rihanna let out a small breath, clearly pleased.

“That solves everything,” she said. “And we keep Stella out of it.” Andrew nodded once.

Rihanna stood up immediately. “Then let’s not waste time,” she said. “They’ll want their bride soon.”

She turned toward one of the maids standing nearby. “Call Isabella,” she ordered.

The maid nodded quickly and left. A few minutes later, Isabella entered the room. She stopped a short distance away from them, her head slightly bowed.“You called for me,” she said softly.

Rihanna looked at her with open dislike. Andrew didn’t bother softening his expression.

“Start preparing yourself,” he said. “You’ll be getting married soon.”

The words hit Isabella instantly. She looked up, confusion filling her face. “Married?” she repeated. “What do you mean?”

Andrew’s patience snapped. “I don’t like repeating myself,” he said coldly. “You’re getting married. You’ll be leaving this house in a few days.”

Isabella shook her head slowly, trying to process what she was hearing. “No…” she said under her breath. Both Andrew and Rihanna looked at her.

“I don’t want to get married,” Isabella said, her voice trembling but firm. “I don’t even know who—why would you—”

Rihanna cut her off sharply. “Do you think you have a choice?” she said. Isabella flinched slightly.

“You’re aware of the situation in this house,” Rihanna continued. “My husband’s company is going bankrupt. Everything is about to collapse.”

She took a step closer. “And you living here, eating our food, wearing what we provide—this is how you repay us?”

Isabella shook her head, tears already forming in her eyes. “That’s not—”

“After everything we’ve done for you,” Rihanna went on, her voice rising, “after caring for you when your useless, cursed mother died—this is how you behave?”

Isabella’s lips parted, but no words came out. She could only shake her head again.

Andrew stood up. “Whether you like it or not,” he said firmly, “you’re getting married.”

Before Isabella could react, he grabbed her arm.

She gasped in fear. “Wait—no—please—” she struggled, trying to pull away, but his grip was too strong.

“Let me go!” she cried. He didn’t stop as he dragged her across the room, ignoring her pleas.

They reached the basement door and Andrew pulled it open and shoved Isabella inside. She stumbled and fell to the ground.

“Please—don’t do this—” she cried, scrambling to her feet. But before she could reach the door, it slammed shut and the lock clicked. Isabella rushed to the door, banging on it desperately.

“Open the door!” she cried. “Please, open it!” Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.

“I don’t want to get married… please…”

Outside, Andrew stepped back from the door. Rihanna folded her arms, completely unbothered.

“That should keep her from running,” she said calmly. Andrew didn’t respond. Rihanna turned away.

“Come,” she said. “We have preparations to make.”

Andrew followed her without another word. Behind the locked door, Isabella’s cries continued but, no one listened.

Meanwhile, Stella stood at the top of the stairs, watching everything unfold below. Only after everything settled did Stella slowly turn away. She walked back into her room and closed the door behind her. she stood still, breathing quietly and then, she moved towards her drawer and pulled something out a photograph. Her fingers brushed over it gently as she stared at the image, her expression softening. A faint smile formed on her lips. “Tavian Crowne,” she murmured. She tightened her grip on the photo.

When she had overheard her father earlier, she had thought it was finally happening. She was the one chosen. The one who would marry into the Crowne family. But, her parent choosed Isabella instead. Stella’s jaw tightened slightly as she remembered it.

Tavian Crowne. He was everything she had ever imagined. He had everything she ever dreamed of. Power, influence money and even his handsome face. Even without ever meeting him, he was perfect in her eyes. And now, she had been told to step aside and let Isabella take her place.

Stella’s expression darkened. “No,” she whispered to herself. “That’s not happening.”

She turned sharply and walked out of her room as she went down the hallway and stopped in front of her parents’ room. Without knocking, she pushed the door open. Inside, Andrew and Rihanna were together, speaking quietly. They both looked up immediately when she entered.

“Stella,” Rihanna said, straightening slightly. “What is it, dear?”

Andrew also turned toward her, his expression already tense. Stella didn’t waste time.

“Why am I not the one marrying into the Crowne family?” she asked directly.

Silence fell for a second. Rihanna blinked. “What?”

Stella stepped forward. “They chose me,” she said firmly. “So why is Isabella taking my place?”

Rihanna exchanged a quick look with Andrew before responding.

“Stella,” Rihanna said gently, trying to calm her, “you don’t understand what that means. You have a future ahead of you. A good one. Why would you want to throw that away?”

Stella shook her head immediately. “I don’t want that,” she said. “I want the Crowne family. I want Tavian Crowne.”

The name came out without hesitation. Andrew’s face changed instantly as his expression hardened.

“Enough,” he snapped. Stella flinched slightly, but she didn’t back down.

“I’m serious,” she insisted.

“I said enough,” Andrew repeated, his voice lower now but sharper. “Do you even hear yourself right now?”

He stepped forward. “You think that family is something to chase after? You think it’s some kind of prize?”

Stella frowned. “That’s not what I—”

“I won’t allow it,” Andrew cut in. “I will not let you be thrown into that family.”

Rihanna looked between them, staying quiet for the moment.

Andrew’s voice grew firmer. “You are my daughter,” he said. “My real daughter. And I won’t sacrifice you for anything.”

Stella could only clench her hands and frown in frustration.