Boiling

Chapter 31

Bruno’s POV

I arrived at my parents’ house and parked my car neatly in the garage before stepping out and heading into the mansion.

“Welcome, Sir Bruno,” the servants greeted as they passed by.

I acknowledged them with a nod and continued inside. As expected, the first person I saw in the large living room was my mother.

Of course. She would be waiting the moment she called me.

“Oh, my son is here,” she said the instant she saw me. “Welcome, son.”

I forced a smile and walked up to give her a brief hug.

“How are you, Mom?” I asked.

“I’m fine, my son,” she replied with a wide smile. “And I’m glad you came.”

“Come in,” she added, taking my hand and pulling me further inside.

But the moment my eyes landed on a familiar figure sitting with my father, my smile disappeared.

Ariana?

What is she doing here?

I immediately pulled my hand away from my mother.

“Mom, why is Ariana here?” I asked, frowning.

She looked at me as if my question made no sense.

“Why wouldn’t she be here? She’s your fiancée, Bruno. Of course I invited her too,” she replied.

My frustration rose instantly.

“You invited her? When will you stop doing this, Mom? When will you stop forcing this girl on me?” I asked, my voice tightening.

Her expression changed at once.

“I am not forcing her on you, Bruno,” she said firmly. “I only want what’s best for you and for this family. You will have to accept her, whether you like it or not.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“Really, Mom?”

“Come and sit. They’re waiting for us,” she said, turning and walking ahead.

I followed reluctantly.

“Bruno, you’re here?” Ariana said the moment she saw me.

“Son,” my father called.

I walked fully into the room and faced him.

“Good day, Dad,” I greeted, deliberately ignoring Ariana.

“Welcome,” he replied.

I gave a short nod and sat down immediately.

“Bruno, aren’t you going to say hello to me?” Ariana asked, putting on a pitiful expression, clearly trying to gain sympathy.

“Where are your manners, son?” my mother scolded.

I exhaled slowly, already irritated.

“Mom, I don’t have much time. Can I at least know why you called me here?” I asked, leaving no room for their usual pressure or unnecessary drama.

I had woken up in a good mood today.

They had successfully ruined it.

“I would have loved to discuss it over lunch,” my mother said with a smile, “but since you’re in such a hurry, I’ll just tell you the good news now.”

Good news?

I highly doubt that.

“That’s fine, honey. Go ahead,” my father said.

“Yes, Mom, tell us,” Ariana added, smiling eagerly.

“Alright,” my mother nodded. “Your grandfather’s birthday is in two weeks, and we want to make it a grand celebration.”

Ariana clapped lightly. “That’s wonderful news!”

I sighed quietly.

Not bad. Better than I expected.

“And since the entire Marshall family and close associates will be present,” my mother continued, “your father and I have decided to announce your wedding to Ariana on that day.”

My head snapped up.

“What?”

“Is this some kind of joke?” I asked, disbelief clear in my voice.

“Obviously not, son,” my father said as he stood. “You are finally getting married to Ariana.”

I stared at him.

“And when exactly did I say I wanted to marry her?”

“You don’t need to say it,” my mother replied calmly. “You’ve both been together for over five years. What else are you waiting for?”

“That’s not true,” I said firmly, struggling to stay calm. “We have never been together, Mom. Not once.”

Silence filled the room for a brief moment.

“I can’t believe you’re actually trying to force this into marriage,” I continued. “But let me make this very clear—it will never work for me.”

Ariana stood and tried to move closer.

“Bruno, I—”

“I’m not talking to you,” I cut her off sharply.

Her face fell instantly.

“Enough!” my mother snapped. “You will not speak to her like that. She is your fiancée, and you are going to marry her. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

I let out a mocking scoff.

“So, you’ve already decided everything without me,” I said.

“That’s because we know what’s best for you,” my father added.

“No,” I replied coldly. “You only know what’s best for your reputation.”

The tension in the room grew heavier.

My mother’s expression hardened.

“You’re being unreasonable, Bruno.”

“No, I’m being honest,” I replied. “For once.”

Ariana tried again, her voice softer this time.

“Bruno, please… we can talk about this—”

I turned to her with a sharp look.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

She froze.

“I don’t love you,” I said bluntly. “And I’m not going to pretend to.”

Her eyes filled with tears immediately, but I didn’t care.

I was done pretending.

“Bruno!” my mother shouted. “That is enough!”

“No, it’s not enough,” I said, standing up. “This has gone on long enough.”

I looked between both of my parents.

“You can plan whatever you want. You can invite whoever you want. But don’t include me in decisions about my life.”

“Sit down,” my father said firmly.

“I’m not a child anymore,” I replied. “You don’t get to control me.”

“You’re making a mistake,” he warned.

“No,” I said. “I’ve been making a mistake by staying silent all this time.”

I straightened my jacket.

“I can see you’ve already made up your minds,” I added calmly. “So there’s no point in continuing this conversation.”

“Bruno, we are not done talking,” my mother said.

“Yes, we are,” I replied.

“Bruno!” she called again.

But I ignored them.

I turned and walked out of the house without looking back.

My jaw tightened as I stepped outside, the cool air doing nothing to calm the anger boiling inside me.

Marriage?

To Ariana?

That’s never going to happen.

Never.