Proposing A Marriage Alliance

Cassie opened her eyes to the white ceiling. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled her nostrils instantly.

She heard the faint beeping sound of the monitor, making her wonder where she was.

She blinked slowly and tried to adjust to the light. Her lips felt dry, her throat parched, and her body ached in places she didn’t even know could hurt.

For a few moments, she lay still, her mind sluggishly trying to piece together where she was and how she had gotten here.

Then, like fragments of broken glass being reassembled, the memories came rushing back... the blinding headlights, the screech of tires, the jolt of impact, and the darkness that swallowed her whole.

She didn't die? Had she survived?

A strange mix of emotions swirled inside her... relief that she was still breathing, sadness for reasons she couldn’t quite name yet, and an aching regret that seemed to seep into her bones.

Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the sight of the pale walls and the closed blinds. It was... quiet... so quiet.

The quiet was broken by the sound of the door opening.

Two breathtakingly handsome men stepped inside.

Cassie’s gaze moved from one to the other, her eyes locking on the taller man with sharp, sculpted features and a presence that seemed cold and almost… dangerous.

There was something about him, something hauntingly familiar.

A spark of recognition lit in her eyes as the thought escaped her lips before she could stop herself.

“You… you’re the grim reaper?” she asked, her voice raspy, barely above a whisper.

The other man... slightly younger-looking, with an easy charm and a teasing glint in his eyes burst out laughing.

“Oh my God,” Rafael exclaimed through his laughter. “Does my handsome brother here look like a grim reaper to you? Oh wait, I forgot! You’re an author, aren’t you? Maybe you’ve been fantasizing about grim reapers being handsome in your little stories, right?”

Cassie blinked, too dazed to respond to the sarcasm, her gaze still fixed on the man Rafael had called his brother.

Nikolai, however, didn’t seem amused by the remark. He gave Rafael a sharp elbow in the ribs, a silent command to shut up, before turning to face Cassie fully.

“I’m glad you’re awake,” he said finally, his tone calm but distant, almost… passive.

Cassie’s eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, searching for answers in his unreadable expression, before she looked away.

Her heart was still unsettled, and her mind was a whirlwind of confusion. “Thank you,” she murmured softly, the words tasting strange in her mouth.

Before the silence could stretch too long, Rafael stepped forward, ever the conversationalist. “So, Cassie,” he began casually, “my handsome friend here... Nikolai... uhm... accidentally hit you with his car. That’s why you’re in the hospital. Don’t worry, though, your injuries aren’t severe. You’ll be fine.”

Cassie took in the information with a small nod, her eyes briefly flickering toward Nikolai again. “I understand,” she replied quietly.

A moment passed where none of them spoke. Then, Cassie broke the silence. “Can I please use your phone?”

Nikolai instinctively reached into his pocket, only to realize he didn’t have his with him. His brows drew together slightly. “I… don’t have it on me right now.”

Without hesitation, Rafael handed over his own phone. “Here, malady! Don’t worry, I won’t charge you for the call,” he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Cassie managed a faint smile as she took the phone. Her fingers were a little shaky as she dialed a familiar number.

“Harlow,” she breathed when the call connected.

Her best friend’s worried voice came through instantly. She assured him she was fine, that it wasn’t as bad as it sounded, and that she’d explain everything when they saw each other.

Cassie asked the two men which hospital she was in, and when they told her, she gave the hospital name to Harlow.

When the conversation ended, she returned the phone to Rafael with a small nod of gratitude. “Thank you.”

Rafael gave her a warm smile, but his eyes flicked toward Nikolai, urging him silently. 'Tell her.'

Nikolai blinked and cleared his throat. “So,” he began, “you’re Cassie McCarthy, right? I’m Nikolai Rosewood.”

At the mention of his last name, Cassie froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief. She had once moved in circles where names like Rosewood carried the weight of empires. They were the untouchables, the kind of family whose power shaped the lives of everyone in the country.

“I know you,” Nikolai continued, his tone still maddeningly even. “People used to call you the country princess. Now… you’re just the forgotten princess.”

Rafael nearly choked on air. “What the hell, man?” he muttered, slapping a hand over his forehead. That was not how one started a sensitive conversation.

Cassie’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but she didn’t speak.

Nikolai pressed on. “I will go straight to the point. Your ex-husband, Raymond, is my arch-nemesis in the business world. His family and mine have been enemies for years. I know he divorced you after he betrayed you. I imagine you might hate him as much as I do.”

He paused, his gaze locking with hers. “I was thinking… what if you and I made an agreement? An alliance.”

Cassie’s breath hitched. “What kind of alliance?”

“Simple,” Nikolai said, his voice low and direct. “You marry me, and I’ll help you destroy your ex-husband. And,” his lips curved slightly, “It will get my parents off my back about settling down. You’re the best choice.”

At this moment, Rafael wanted to choke the living shit out of his friend. Why in the world was he friends with such a robot of a human? Who says things like that?

Cassie stared at him incredulously. Was this man insane? “Why me? Why not someone else?”

“I don’t have an answer to that,” Nikolai replied curtly. “I’m looking for a wife who’ll serve a purpose! That’s all.”

The disbelief in Cassie snapped into fury. “Well, fuck you and your alliance!” she spat, her voice shaking with both anger and hurt.

Before they could react, she yanked at the drip connected to her arm.

“Wait! What are you doing?” Nikolai’s calm expression cracked for the first time.

Rafael stepped forward at the same time, both men trying to stop her.

But Cassie’s heart was pounding. Marriage? Again? She had barely crawled out of the wreckage of her last one, betrayed by a man who had stripped her of everything and left her with nothing but scars. And now, another man was suggesting she tie herself to him like some business transaction shit?

“Cassie!”

Her head turned sharply toward the door and there he was. Harlow, breathless and worry etched on his face. He hurriedly walked toward her bedside.

Harlow placed a protective hand on her shoulder and glared at the two men.

“Step away from her,” he said, his tone low and dangerous.

Nikolai and Rafael exchanged a glance before backing away.

Cassie’s eyes welled up with tears and the dam finally broke.

Harlow pulled her into a gentle hug, murmuring words of comfort while she trembled in his arms.

When she could finally speak, she told him everything about the divorce and Raymond’s betrayal. Each word seemed to fuel the storm in Harlow’s eyes until his jaw was clenched tight.

“That bastard,” Harlow muttered. “ I know he was never good for you. I told you from the beginning but you didn't listen. You know what he’s doing right now?”

Cassie shook her head, her eyes still filled with unshed tears.

“He’s throwing a party,” Harlow said bitterly. “To introduce Rachael as his girlfriend. They’re going public now.”

The news hit Cassie like a punch to the gut. Her chest tightened, her breath coming faster. Without another word, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and almost fell.

“Cassie, no—” Harlow tried to stop her but she was already moving.

She ran barefoot, her hospital gown brushing against her knees, the bandage wrapped around her head still spotted with dried blood but she didn’t care. She had to see it with her own eyes.

Yes, they were divorced. But this was a blunt humiliation to her. How could he? How could she? How could they? Those two cheaters!

Harlow tried to hold her back, but he knew when Cassie had made up her mind there was no stopping her.

In the corridor, Nikolai and Rafael moved to block her path.

“You shouldn’t be walking around—” Nikolai began.

“She’s coming with me,” Harlow interrupted firmly. “I’ll bring her back. She just...” Harlow paused, not knowing how to explain to these strangers.

Nikolai’s eyes narrowed, but after a tense beat, he stepped aside.

As Cassie and Harlow disappeared down the hall, Rafael turned to his friend and threw his hands in the air. “What the hell just happened?”

Nikolai’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Let’s follow them… secretly.”

Rafael’s eyes widened, but a slow grin tugged at his lips. “You’re unbelievable. This is new coming from you and I'm loving it.”

"You can stay behind!" Nikolai said coldly before he followed Cassie and Harlow.

That girl... was stirring something inside him.