Chapter One

Bella

“Don Vincent, tell me why Cousin has to be sent as a gesture to the Romano family. Why can’t we just face them head-on since they’re the ones pushing for this?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady.

My hands were clenched at my sides. I couldn’t understand how they could speak of sending someone away so calmly—as if she were nothing more than a bargaining chip in some business negotiation.

“Bella,” Granduncle replied, his tone firm and unyielding, “this is the only way to prevent Don Romano from invading our territory and taking what’s ours. You know how ruthless he can be.”

His words only fueled the fire burning in my chest.

“And you think offering her as part of a deal is the best solution?” I demanded. “Did you even stop to consider how she feels? Or are the women of this family nothing more than tools to secure alliances?”

My voice trembled now, not from fear—but from anger.

“You sent my sister away the same way. Now you’re trading Cousin like she’s merchandise. You keep tearing us away from the people we love, all in the name of power. Is sacrificing every woman in this family your idea of leadership?”

The room felt suffocating. Years of silent resentment finally spilled from my lips.

Granduncle’s expression darkened.

“What do you know?” he snapped. “You parade around asking about family policies as if you understand what it takes to run this organization. You have no idea what truly happened in the past—or why this must be done.”

His voice lowered, heavy with something I couldn’t quite decipher.

“My father made a mistake—one that nearly destroyed this family’s influence. You could never understand the consequences of that. This is the only way to protect this household and our people. Or would you rather see them destroyed?”

There it was again.

The same vague explanation. The same shadow hanging over our family name.

What could my great-grandfather have done that was so unforgivable? What sin required generation after generation of women to pay the price?

I swallowed hard. Anger warred with helplessness inside me.

If I stayed here long enough, they would find someone to marry me off to as well. Another “alliance.” Another sacrifice.

I couldn’t let that happen.

I needed to leave before next year. Before I became their next political offering.

I needed to talk to my partner. I could not endure another minute in this house where love was currency and women were debts.

“I’m sorry for questioning you, Granduncle,” I said quietly, though the apology felt like ash in my mouth.

I stood, forcing myself to remain composed.

I walked out of Granduncle’s office, my steps stiff and controlled. The moment the doors shut behind me, Kaida hurried toward me, her brows knitted with concern.

“Miss, are we returning to your villa, or would you like to see your mother?” she asked gently.

I shook my head.

“No. Have the car ready. I’m going to see Raven.”

Kaida blinked in surprise but quickly lowered her head. “Yes, my Lady.” She rushed off immediately.

Within minutes she returned. “The car is ready.”

She helped me inside, carefully arranging my dress before sitting opposite me.

“My Lady…” she hesitated, clearly choosing her words. “Why do you wish to visit the Young Boss at this hour? You know your Granduncle would not approve.”

Her question hung heavy in the air.

“I need to speak to him,” I replied, staring out the car window as the estate gates opened. “I refuse to sit and watch my Granduncle trade me away like I am nothing. Raven must make his intentions known to my family. It has been three years, Kaida. Three years.”

I glanced at her and noticed the tension in her face. She was holding something back.

“Kaida,” I said softly, “what is it you want to say?”

She offered a small, cautious smile before finally speaking.

“My Lady… if you are the one who asks him to declare his intentions, it may appear desperate. If he truly intends to claim you, he should already know it is time to approach your family.”

Her words struck deeper than she probably intended.

“You may be right,” I admitted. “What do you think I should do instead?”

Kaida thought carefully.

“If you speak to him about your family using women as leverage… and the possibility of you being sent away… then if he is serious, he will step forward himself.”

A slow breath left my lips.

“Yes… that is wise.”

Moments later, the car stopped before Raven’s compound.

The large gates stood illuminated under the moonlight. I stepped down, lifting my dress slightly as I approached the entrance.

But a guard blocked my path.

“I’m sorry, Lady Bella. You cannot enter at this time.”

I froze.

“Excuse me?” My voice was calm—but dangerously so.

“Are you blind?” Kaida snapped. “Do you not recognize Lady Bella?”

Before the guard could respond, another voice echoed behind us.

“What is the commotion?”

I turned and saw Raven’s mother approaching, her steps slow and deliberate.

She stopped before me, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.

“My Lady,” I said politely, “your guard is preventing me from seeing Raven.”

A faint smirk curved her lips.

“Oh? How unfortunate. I assumed he had already informed you… and break-up with you.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“I beg your pardon?”

She tilted her head slightly.

“Did you not know? Raven was married yesterday.”

The words did not make sense. They sounded unreal.

“What… are you saying?” I whispered.

Her gaze hardened.

“Why are you pretending not to understand? He is married. There is no possibility of him marrying you. He has chosen someone far more suitable for his position in the family.”

The world seemed to stop for a heartbeat. That was impossible.

Without thinking, I shoved past the guard and stormed toward the door. I pushed it open violently.

And there he was.

Raven.

Locked in bed with another woman. Expensive silk sheets tangled around them.

They both turned toward me at the same time. His expression shifted from shock… to something else. The lady, she belonged to a prominent allied family—they had even clashed before in negotiations.

For a moment, I could not breathe.

“Raven… what the hell is this?” I demanded.

My voice trembled—not from weakness, but from disbelief.

He said nothing.

He just stood there, staring at me like I was the one who had done something wrong.

If this was a dream, someone needed to wake me up.

“Is it true?” My throat tightened. “You’re married?”

I took a step forward, my mind racing.

“A few days ago, when I asked you about the wedding arrangements in the estate, you told me it was your stepbrother getting married and that's why I wasn't invited.”

The silence was suffocating.

“You lied to me.”

Before Raven could respond, the woman beside him laughed softly.

“Well, it’s good you found out now,” she said lazily, adjusting the silk robe around her shoulders. “But really, how uncivilized of you to barge into a married couple’s private suite without warning.”

Her tone dripped with mockery.

My vision blurred with rage.

Raven finally moved. He stepped away from the bed and walked toward me, his expression no longer apologetic—no, it was cold.

“She has everything a woman of this family should have,” he said flatly. “Your family may be influential, but everyone knows the truth.”

He stopped in front of me.

“You are the most disorganized, incompetent family to ever hold power. You couldn’t even secure your alliances properly—and yet you cling to influence.”

Each word struck like a blade.

“Who knows?” he continued, voice sharp. “Perhaps you’ll be discarded just like your cousin. Just like your elder sister.”

Something inside me snapped.

Before I even realized what I was doing, my hand flew across his face.

The sound echoed through the suite.

For a second, there was complete silence.

My palm burned.

My chest heaved.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to tear everything apart.

But instead, I turned and walked out.

Raven’s mother stood by the door, watching everything with an unreadable expression.

I brushed past her without a word.

“My Lady!” Kaida rushed after me, panic in her voice. But I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t stop.

If I did, I would break.

We reached the car.

“My Lady,” Kaida said urgently, glancing at the sky, “returning to your family estate tonight may not be safe. The clouds are dark—it will storm soon.”

Thunder rumbled in the distance, as if the heavens themselves were furious.

I climbed into the car, my heart shattered but my spine still straight.

“Drive,” I ordered coldly.