Chapter Five

Aliyah's Pov

I should have said no. I should have left him standing in the hallway, but I let him in. 

The door clicked shut behind him, sealing us in the same air. 

The air shifted around him, heavy with authority. 

Dominic put his hands in his pocket, entering the empty living room. Then his gaze darted towards me, piercing through me like he could see through my soul. 

Why are you here? My voice cut through the silence in the room, rough and raw. 

I see you are barely trying to hold up, he sneered. 

His words were like a punch to my guts, but I refused to let the hurt in my eyes show. 

If you came here to mock me, then please save it! I clenched my jaws. 

You know, he said, his voice low. Most people don’t bother reading the fine print until it’s already strangling them.

The sting of his words made my throat tighten. You can't come into my house and mock me, Dominic!

He smirked, like he was enjoying every bit of this. Mock you? No.

Then why are you here? Clearly, just not to taunt me, my gaze darkened. 

He dropped a folder onto the table, the thudding sound making my stomach churn. 

I'm here because we have something to discuss, he said. 

I exhaled. I doubt we have anything to talk about.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips. No, we do.

I frowned. What do you want from me?

His gaze cut through me. I'm here to make an offer.

My gaze narrowed. Offer?

He stepped closer. A marriage contract.

It took a while before the words registered. 

I blinked. 

Dominic Voss was offering me a contract? And that was Marriage?!

Excuse me? My face twisted in confusion. 

His voice softened, his gaze calm. You heard me.

What? My voice quivered. 

You want freedom? Then be my wife, his gaze was calm, steady. “It's the only way to sever Roland's hold on you.

I laughed bitterly. Wait....is this a joke? Some sort of prank?

My gaze roamed his, but Dominic's expression remained unreadable. 

This is my way of helping you, Aliyah, Dominic said. 

My heart slammed into my chest as I tried to process his words, but couldn't. 

Away from a Voss. Back into the hands of a Voss.

And how is that? I retorted, finding each of his words absurd. 

My husband's younger brother, proposing a marriage offer to me. 

You want to know how I want to help you? he asked. Roland used you, then discarded you.

My stomach churned at the memories he was bringing back. 

What do you think will happen if he gets to find out you want to marry me?

My mind raced. 

I imagined the media going crazy about the news of my marriage with Dominic, Roland's face twisting in shock. 

Before I could speak, Dominic's voice cut through my thoughts. That's revenge, Aliyah.

I thought about it, but part of me felt like I couldn't trust him, like he'd be the same as Roland. 

His hands grabbed the folder he had dropped on the table, eyes scanning the papers like he hadn't done before. 

This here, could save everything, he whispered. 

My throat tightened. “But this is ridiculous.

Helping me pits you directly against Roland. He’ll come for you. And... he's your brother.

Dominic’s smirk was faint, bitter.

He has already come for me. Every day. It’s the nature of this family. 

I swallowed hard. If I agree, it could be my salvation, the only thing that could end this misery. 

You think Roland is done with you? He will drag you through the mud, break you until there's nothing left. 

That made a cold chill run down my spine, but behind his words, I could feel desperation. 

There was obviously something he wanted. Who would willingly put themselves against their brother? Especially if that brother was Roland Voss.

What's in this for you? I demanded. 

Dominic's smirk faltered, his voice dropping low. Because I hate watching him win. And because.....” His jaw clenched, and he shook his head, as if silencing words that might burn both of us alive. 

I wondered what he wanted to say.

Because no one deserves to fight this kind of battle alone.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. The city glittered behind him, but all I could see were his eyes, storm-grey and restless, a man who carried secrets like scars.

And then it happened.

His hand brushed against mine. Barely a touch, almost an accident. But the heat of it shot through me, sharp and electric, as though my body had been waiting for this betrayal of loyalty, this dangerous spark.

I should have pulled back. I should have remembered every reason this was forbidden. At that moment, I should have sent him out, discarding his offer. 

But no. I couldn't. 

Instead, I froze, breath caught in my throat, my pulse tripping over itself.

My heart stuttered, traitorous and loud in my ears.

So you'd help me?” I asked, voice low. 

Roland destroyed you with a contract, Dominic leaned closer. Another contract could be your salvation.

Then he handed the papers over to me. A contract. Marriage with Dominic Voss. A lifeline. 

Before I could give a response, the apartment lock beeped, clicking sharply. 

Footsteps echoed, making me turn. My eyes widened, shock jolting through me. 

Roland...

He stepped inside the room, his gaze calm, smug. 

Well, his voice pierced through the air like a sharp blade. “This is sweet, isn't it?

I gulped. 

My wife and my brother. Drafting contracts of their own.

My breath caught. 

He knew. He heard everything. 

Dominic didn't move, nor did he flinch. 

Roland's eyes landed on me, his gaze darkened, a smirk curling up his lips. Do you really think you could escape me by crawling into my brother's bed?

The room spun around me, my heart slamming against my ribs. 

Caught. And I knew, whatever line we had just crossed, there was no going back.