I Let Him Watch Me Marry Someone Else

Astra’s POVI was ambushed by my family’s rival gang at a party. In the chaos, I saw Nolan—my boyfriend of five years—and Riven, my best friend since childhood, rushed to my cousin Anna’s side. I watched them shield her, protect her… while I was dragged away screaming.I was locked up for hours before a secret man rescued me and brought me home.Later, Nolan and Riven showed up, trying to apologize. But the second Anna shed a tear, they were gone again—rushing back to her side.So while they were away, I called my father and accepted the arranged marriage I once swore I’d never agree to.Just days after the ambush—barely healed—I received an invitation to Anna’s birthday party.I hesitated, but then I remembered what Mother said about looking after Anna while she was in the city—so I went.“Astra,” Anna greeted me the moment I arrived, her smile warm but eyes not. “It means so much to have you here today.”I lifted a glass of champagne. “Happy birthday.”She shifted closer, “I hope you

Astra’s POVI didn’t answer.Nolan exhaled hard, his tone softening. “If this is about Anna and the ambush—I get it. Me and Riven—we screwed up. We should’ve been there for you. But Astra… think about it. You had your parents, right? You had us too. Anna had no one. We had to protect her.”He took a step closer. “And about her birthday—think how many people were watching. If I didn’t insist you apologize, what would they think? You know how much reputation matters in our world.”Still, I said nothing.Nolan’s voice dropped again, almost coaxing. “Come on, Astra. You’re the one I love. You’re the one I want to marry. Anna? She’ll always be an outsider. We’re going to be a family.”A pause.“How about this—come with me to my mother’s party tomorrow night? I’ve got a surprise for you.”I hesitated. Right—Nolan’s mother. She’d always been kind to me, treated me like a daughter even before Nolan and I were official. And now that I was leaving the city for good… the least I could do was give

Astra’s POVI looked down at his hand gripping my wrist. Then back up at him. “Let go, Nolan.”He didn’t. “What wedding?” he asked again, jaw tight. “Are you seriously marrying someone?”I pulled my wrist free. “Yes.”“You’re lying,” Riven said behind him. “This is just one of your games, Astra. I don’t know why you have to make Nolan and me feel guilty.”Then he turned to Nolan. “Chill, bro. She wouldn’t actually do it.”I turned to him. “I already did. The engagement papers are signed. The wedding is in Italy. A few weeks from now.”Nolan stared at me like he didn’t understand the words I was saying. “Who is he?”I didn’t answer.“Who is he, Astra?” Nolan snapped. The man who was always composed looked completely undone now.I reached into the box and brushed my fingers over the card again. “His name is Silas Monroe.”Riven blinked. “Wait—the Monroe from Italy? How would you even know him? Is this the man your father always wanted you to marry?”Nolan grabbed my hand. “But you turned

Nolan’s POVThe door burst open.“What’s going on?” Riven rushed in, his eyes darting from Anna on the floor to me. “What the hell happened?”He moved to help her up, but Anna slapped his hand away. “Oh, don’t bother.”Riven stiffened. He looked at me, doubt flickering in his eyes. “Nolan?”Anna stood, smoothing her gown as if nothing had happened. “We were just talking about how great it is that Astra’s finally gone,” she said lightly. “Right, Riven?”“What?” Riven frowned. “Anna, don’t talk about Astra like that. I know she could be sharp with you, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t—”“Two hypocrites,” Anna cut in, sneering.Something in my chest tightened. “Anna,” I said slowly, “was Astra telling the truth? Did you fall on your own and blame her?”For the first time, Anna looked at me without softness or any disguise. “What do you think?” she asked.I stood, walked toward her, and stopped inches away. “I think you blamed Astra for something she never did. And I think I was a fool for

Nolan’s POVEven after being banished by Astra and her family, Riven and I didn’t leave Rome. We planned to stay—at least until her wedding day.On our tenth day here, we ran into Silas Monroe. Astra’s fiancé.Though I doubted it was a coincidence. Rumor had it Silas owned half of Italy.“So you’re Nolan Cross,” he said, his gaze steady, sizing me up.Riven, standing beside me, stepped forward. “Riven Holt. Astra’s childhood best friend.”Silas shook his hand politely, then turned his full attention back to me.“I did some reading on the two of you.” His smile was pleasant, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “And I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from Astra. She might look strong, but I’ve noticed... she always seems unsettled after seeing you.”“You—” Riven started, but I raised a hand to stop him.“Mr. Monroe,” I said, keeping my voice even, “How Astra and I get along is none of your business. We’ve known each other for twenty years. Nothing changes that.”Silas’s smile didn’t budge. “