Semua Bab Fate Or Mates: Bab 61 - Bab 70

ANGELA’S POVThat morning was supposed to be ordinary. It started like it always did, gray light slipping through the curtains, the smell of coffee drifting somewhere distant. Nothing special. Except then there was a knock, and everything sort of shifted.I opened the door still half in a dream, hair a mess, breath caught somewhere in my chest. Aaron stood there, hands jammed into his pockets, shoulders hunched like he wasn’t sure whether to smile or apologize.“Hey,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “Your mom invited me over. I hope that’s okay.”I blinked at him for a second, slow to catch up. “You’re… here. For breakfast?”He gave this quiet laugh, the kind that slips out before you can stop it. “Yeah. She said she made too much food and didn’t want to throw it away.”Of course she didn’t. After Luna Mira left last night, Mom wouldn’t stop asking about Aaron. Every little detail. But inviting him over for breakfast? That was new. I stepped aside and tried to act normal, th

ANGELA’S POVHe took a long sip of his drink before answering, as if choosing his words carefully. “Let’s just say I’m not in any rush to find one. You know how some people dream about their fated mate their whole lives? I’ve… I’ve seen what it looks like when it all goes wrong. When love turns into a duty, or when fate pairs you with someone you can’t even stand. I don’t know, I just don’t think I’m built for that kind of heartbreak.”Honestly, his words hit me harder than I expected. There was something in them that felt… familiar. A little too relatable.I gave him a small, knowing smile. “So that’s why you agreed to be my pretend mate.”He let out a soft chuckle. “Maybe. I figured if I’m going to play the part, it might as well be for someone who’s honest about what she wants. You know? No crazy expectations. No invisible strings.”“No risks,” I added quietly.He looked right at me then, for a long moment, his gaze soft but unreadable. “Yeah. No risks.”But the way he said it, low

ANGELA’S POVMy mouth fell open. “Wait, what? Marriage?” My voice cracked a little. “Father, no, we’re not ready for that yet.”Aaron turned to me, clearly just as stunned, though he didn’t say a word. My father, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered.“You’re both of age,” he said, his voice firm. “You’re spending time together, claiming to be mates. It’s only proper you make it official. You have three days to think it over and give me your answer.”“Three days?” I repeated, my pulse racing.“Yes,” he said simply. “Three days. After that, I expect your decision.”And just like that, he stood, dismissing us as though the discussion was over.I couldn’t even find my voice. My mind was spinning, caught somewhere between disbelief and panic.Aaron glanced at me as we stepped out of the study, his expression unreadable. I could tell he wanted to say something, but neither of us spoke. Not yet. Not until we were far enough away from my father’s walls and that suffocating silence

ANGELA’S POVI dropped onto my bed with a heavy sigh, barely managing to kick my shoes off before face-planting into the pillow. My head was pounding, and honestly, I felt like I had been through a storm. Downstairs, Mom had practically lost her mind yelling about flowers, dresses, catering, and seating charts as if she were organizing the royal wedding of the year. I could not even take a breath without her waving another to-do list in my face.The craziest part? None of this even felt real. This wedding was never supposed to happen. It was supposed to be a cover-up, just a plan to make Julius back off. Simple. Harmless. But now it had spiraled too far, and I had no idea how to pull the brakes anymore.My phone buzzed beside me, lighting up with Rainey’s name. I groaned. Of course. There was no escaping her once she decided she had something to say.“Hey, cousin bride!” Rainey’s voice nearly blasted my eardrum. “You’re getting married? And I had to hear it from someone else? Really,

ANGELA’S POVThe next morning came faster than I wanted. I barely slept, partly because Mom wouldn’t stop talking about flower arrangements and invitation lists, but mostly because I couldn’t get Aaron’s voice out of my head. The way he had said he wanted to see me in a wedding dress kept replaying in my mind. It shouldn’t have mattered, but it did.By the time we got to the boutique, I was already running on nerves and half a cup of coffee. The place was stunning, all soft lighting and the faint smell of roses and new fabric. It screamed elegance.And there he was. Aaron. Already waiting, looking unfairly good in a white shirt with his sleeves rolled up as if he had no idea how attractive that was. For a guy who claimed this marriage was just a “business deal,” he looked a little too comfortable being there.You see, in my last marriage, Julius hadn’t even bothered to show up for the fittings. Kimberly and I did everything ourselves while Mom only checked in once or twice. But now my