Two men in black escorted Ember into the grand living room of the Hart estate, her wrists trembling by her sides, chin raised in defiance despite the shadows under her eyes.
Ethan stood near the fireplace, cold and unreadable. His father, Richard Hart, the true king behind the empire, sat with authority radiating from his presence.
"You are to marry my son," Richard Hart stated without emotion, as if he were discussing a business deal, not a life.
Ember's voice didn't falter. "And what if I'm not willing?"
She glanced toward Ethan—his jaw was tight, his eyes locked on the floor, refusing to meet hers.
"I've said this before, Mr. Hart. I don't know what happened that night. I was drugged. I'm a victim. And God knows whose hands were involved in that disgusting trap."
Her voice cracked, but she stood tall. "With all due respect, your son wasn't the only one who paid the price. I lost my future. My family. My name. I'm already working on how to survive this mess. So please—leave me alone."
"You're not going anywhere," Richard snapped, rising from his seat. His tone was laced with steel. "This isn't a request."
She stared at him, her breath shaky.
A hand gripped her arm gently—Damian.
"Dad, please," he said, stepping in between them. "Give me a moment with her."
Without waiting for a response, Damian led Ember toward the hallway. She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm—not forceful, just pleading.
He closed the door behind them in one of the side rooms and finally looked at her with concern.
"Ember," he said softly, "I don't know what's going on behind the scenes… but I do know Ethan's not thinking straight. None of us are. Just talk to me. Please."
Ethan's POV
Damian dragged me into the study, shutting the door behind us. I was furious—no, seething—at what I'd just been told.
Marry her? That girl? The girl who ruined everything?
"Brother," Damian said, his voice calm but firm, "we've worked too hard to build our name. One scandal can't destroy what we've created. We're not letting it."
I clenched my jaw, the image of the leaked video still burned into my memory. The humiliation. The betrayal. The headlines.
He stepped closer. "To take our world back, you need to marry Ember. It's temporary. One year. Just until the chaos dies down."
I turned away, running a hand through my hair, my blood boiling. "She's not innocent, Damian. She—"
"She is," he cut in, tone sharper now. "You just refuse to see it. And don't worry, after a year, she'll be gone. Hell, if you want to throw her out on the street after this mess ends, I'll be there to pick her up myself."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"I already convinced her," he added. "You're marrying her tomorrow."
I didn't speak. Didn't argue. I just stood there, my heart like stone, my pride bleeding out silently.
One year.
That's all it was.
I'd make sure she paid every day of that year.
The wedding ceremony ended with barely a whisper of celebration—just a handful of guests, a few cold smiles, and the ever-present eyes of the media capturing every forced moment. Flashes went off as we stood together, posing like the perfect couple in a fairytale neither of us wanted.
Ember stood beside me, smiling.
Not the awkward, tight-lipped smile I expected.
A real one. Soft. Genuine.
Like she was happy.
It made something twist in my chest—anger, maybe. Or confusion. Or both.
Damian stood across the hall, giving me a subtle thumbs-up and a small smile. The idiot was actually proud of this madness.
After the ceremony, my father pulled us aside. "You both will stay in the same room for a few days. Media needs to believe this marriage is real."
Of course.
Everything had to look perfect.
I walked ahead, not bothering to wait for her. I didn't need this. I didn't need her. But just as I stepped into the room, I heard it.
"Phhhh…" Ember exhaled beside me, loud enough to be noticed.
I turned sharply.
She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "As if I'm thrilled to share a room with you."
I narrowed my gaze at her. "You think I'm enjoying this?"
She didn't answer. Just crossed her arms and looked away.
God, this was going to be hell.