Chapter 2

"What did you say?" Zach asked, his brow furrowing as he glared at his grandfather.

"Marry the other daughter of Roberto Natividad, Zach," the old man repeated firmly.

Zach let out a hollow, humorless laugh. He genuinely questioned whether Don Sebastian had finally lost his mind. He had just buried Chloe so it was unthinkable that his grandfather was already plotting to marry him off again. What was worse—almost perverse—was that the chosen bride was his late wife’s own twin sister!

"You must be insane, Grandpa! I will never agree to this!" Zach refused, his voice rising in anger.

The thought of remarriage hadn't even crossed his mind. He was consumed by the demands of the family’s business empire, not to mention the weight of raising his daughter alone. Marriage was the very last thing on his mind, yet here was his grandfather, attempting to pull the strings of his life for a second time.

Ever since his parents died in a tragic accident when he was only five, Don Sebastian had been the sole guardian for him and his younger brother. The Don had raised them with an iron fist, controlling every facet of their lives as they grew.

"Why not? Wasn't Cyan Natividad the one you were supposed to marry in the first place? It was only delayed because she ran away. Now, fate has brought her back to fulfill the obligation she once fled," the Don remarked coolly.

Zach clenched his fists so tightly, his knuckles turned white. If the man before him weren't his elder, he might have been tempted to strike him in the face.

"I don't care if she was the original bride. I won't marry her—or anyone else you choose!" Zach snapped, turning his back on the old man to storm out.

But he had only taken a few steps when the Don’s voice stopped him cold.

"If you refuse to marry Roberto’s daughter, then I’m afraid I will be forced to revoke your control over the Samaniego Empire. Everything intended for you and your brother will be liquidated and given to charity. You won’t get a single centavo from me, Zach."

Zach turned back slowly, fixing the old man with a lethal glare. He had spent his entire life studying and working to prove he was the rightful heir to the Samaniego legacy. He couldn't believe his grandfather was willing to discard all his efforts to expand their real estate business simply because he wouldn't submit to this one demand.

A ghost of a smirk played on the Don’s lips as he noted Zach’s reaction. "I believe I already have my answer based on your expression."

Zach slammed the office door behind him. He paused momentarily when he saw Zendaya standing in the hallway. From the look on her face, she had clearly overheard the heated argument. He reached out to comfort her, but Laureen—Chloe’s best friend and Zendaya’s godmother—stepped in.

"I’m sorry, Zach. I lost track of where she went," Laureen said softly.

Zach shook his head. It wasn't Laureen’s responsibility to watch his daughter, yet she had been a constant presence, knowing they were both grieving. He found a measure of peace in her company. Thanks to Laureen, Zendaya’s days were a little less dark.

"You don't need to apologize. You've done nothing wrong. And... thank you for being here for my daughter."

"There's no need for thanks. Chloe was like a sister to me," Laureen replied with a gentle smile, offering her hand to Zendaya. "Come on, sweetie. Let’s go to the garden. Your Daddy Zach is busy right now."

Zendaya followed Laureen obediently. Once they reached the garden, the little girl immediately began questioning her godmother about what she had overheard.

"Does that mean Mommy Chloe’s sister is a bad girl?" she asked, her voice trembling with sobs.

Laureen nodded sadly. "I’m sorry, baby. I wish I could do something to stop all of this, but I don't have that kind of power. But don't worry—I won't leave you. Just listen to me, and you'll be safe," she whispered, pulling Zach's daughter into a protective embrace.

Zendaya closed her eyes and nodded repeatedly. At least, even with her mother is gone, she still had her Aunt Laureen.

The following day, Cyan visited the Samaniego mansion at her father’s insistence. Even from the gates, the estate screamed opulence. It was more a palace than a home, sprawling and breathtakingly beautiful.

As the maid led her into the grand living room, Zendaya appeared at the top of the stairs. Cyan offered a tentative, hopeful smile; this was their first real chance to speak one-on-one.

"Hello, Zendaya. I'm your Aunt—"

"Why are you here?" Zendaya interrupted her.

Cyan blinked a couple of times, taken aback with her reaction. This wasn't the same grieving child she had seen at the cemetery. The way Zendaya was looking at her now was sharp and filled with animosity.

"I... I came here to visit you."

Despite facing a mere child, Cyan found herself stammering. She was shocked by the child's hostility. Chloe had always been soft-spoken and gentle. She never expected her niece to be this abrasive.

"And then what? Are you going to move into our house? You're going to take my Daddy away from me? You're replacing my Mommy Chloe because you want my Daddy's money?!"

Cyan’s eyes widened in horror. She had never been interested in anyone’s wealth. She was a woman who worked for everything she had.

She forced herself to keep smiling. Zendaya was just a child—she was likely confused and misinformed about the impending marriage.

"What are you talking about, Zendaya? I’m not—"

"Stop lying, you desperate gold digger!" Zendaya screamed.

Cyan’s patience snapped. She had never allowed anyone to insult her whether a child or not.

"I came here to check on you because I know you're grieving the loss of your mother. But I will not tolerate you calling me names! You don't know me, and that is not the proper way to speak to an adult. You need to learn some respect, Zendaya," Cyan said, her voice dropping to a cold, authoritative level.

Zendaya’s eyes welled with tears, and she began to crying loudly. Cyan was startled by the sudden outburst. As she reached out to comfort her, a hand clamped firmly onto her arm, dragging her toward the exit.

"You have no right to make my daughter cry, Miss Natividad!" a freezing voice barked.

Cyan looked up to find herself face-to-face with Zach. His expression was a mask of pure fury.

She took a deep breath and steadied herself. "I didn't make her cry, Mr. Samaniego. I was simply teaching her some manners," she replied calmly.

Zach let out a sarcastic bark of laughter. "And who are you to lecture my daughter? You have no right to discipline her. And why are you even here? Could you not wait for the wedding before setting foot in this house? Are you really that eager to step into your sister’s shoes?"

Cyan’s jaw dropped. Zach hadn't changed at all. He was still the cold man she remembered, but now he had added arrogance and cruelty to his repertoire. Before she could defend herself, he cut her off.

"Don't worry, the wedding will happen, even if I despise the thought of you. But for now, go home and get out of my house, Miss Natividad. I don't want to see your face here!"

After his harsh dismissal, he turned and walked away. Cyan stood there, letting out a hollow laugh. Were these the people she was supposed to live with? Based on how they treated her now, her life as a married woman was going to be a living hell!