"The Cole family is also one of the old royal bloodlines," Ragnar explained. "And they still follow the old traditions. To them, royalty must marry royalty."
The room fell silent.
Ren stood there without moving, but inside, his thoughts were crashing into each other endlessly.
Now everything finally made sense.
Why Evie hid herself.
Why she worked so desperately.
Why she saved money like every second mattered.
Why there was always sadness behind her calm eyes.
It was never because she simply wanted freedom.
She was running.
Running from a fate already decided for her.
Ren slowly lowered his gaze.
His fists tightened at his sides.
He remembered the way Evie smiled earlier that morning. The way she laughed quietly at the beach. The warmth of her hand in his.
And now someone was telling him she would be married off in a month?
No.
Absolutely not.
Ren lifted his eyes toward Ragnar again.
"Then I just need to pay the debt, right?"
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
