The silence after my declaration was thick enough to suffocate someone someone.
My father sat forward, his hands gripping the armrests like he could snap them in two. My mother's lips were a thin, pale line. And my sister, God, my sister, looked ready to claw my face off.
I should have felt small under their stares. Cornered. Crushed. That was the way it always worked in this house.
But I didn't. Not now.
For the first time in years, I felt… taller.
"You've lost your mind," my father spat, finally finding his voice. "This isn't some stupid rebellion, Raine. It's self-destruction, you're self destructing.
I leaned back against the velvet armchair, crossing my legs slowly, deliberately. My smile didn't falter. "Funny. From where I'm sitting, it looks like control."
The vein in his forehead pulsed. My mother inhaled sharply, as if she wanted to intervene but didn't dare to.
And then my sister laughed a low, bitter sound. "You really think Adrian Throne loves you? That man doesn't love anyone. You're just convenient. Desperate. And when he's done, when he chews you up and spits you out don't think for one second I'll be here to help you."
Her words should've cut. A year ago, they would've left me bleeding. But right now? I only tilted my head, letting my smirk deepen.
"Oh, I don't expect your help, sister dear. I expect your jealousy. And right now, you're proving me right. Giving me what I wanted."
Her face went scarlet. For a second, I thought she might go over the table and lunge at me.
And that's when the double doors opened.
Every head turned.
Adrian walked in like he owned the room, like he owned them. Dark suit, blue eyes, that quiet, lethal aura that made even the walls seem to lean back. He didn't hurry. He didn't need to. His presence alone sucked the air out of the space.
My pulse betrayed me. I hated it, how it leapt just from the sound of his footsteps.
He stopped directly behind me, resting one hand on the back of my chair. Solid. Claiming. As if the gesture said: She's mine. Touch her, and you'll lose your hands.
"Apologies for the interruption," he said smoothly, his voice like smoke curling into every corner. "I believe we were discussing my fiancée."
The tension snapped. My father surged to his feet. "You dare walk into my house? After all this years, you dare walk into my home?"
"Yes." Adrian's tone was soft, but it carried more weight than a shout. "Because Raine belongs to me now. And if this family has any objections…" His eyes swept over each of them, sharp, merciless. "…you can take them up with me."
A shiver ran down my spine. Half fear. Half something darker.
My sister sneered. "You're nothing but a charity case that got lucky."
Adrian's lips curved, but it wasn't a smile. "And you're still the jealous little girl who can't stand that Raine chose me. Some things never change."
The color drained from her face.
I bit my lip to hide the smile threatening to break free. God, it was wicked, but watching him dismantle her with just words was intoxicating.
My father slammed his fist on the table. "This marriage will ruin everything Ive struggled over the years to built!"
Adrian stepped forward then, his hand sliding down to my shoulder. His grip was firm, grounding. Claiming. "On the contrary. Marrying me will protect everything you've built. You may not see it yet but the rest of the world already does. That's why it's news. That's why the empire just doubled in value overnight."
Silence.
My father's mouth opened. Closed. For the first time in my life, he looked… shaken.
Adrian leaned down slightly, his voice lower, meant for me as much as them. "Shall we go, Raine?"
The possessiveness in his tone lit something in me I didn't want to name.
I rose slowly, letting my gaze sweep over my family. My father's rage, my mother's fear, my sister's bitter hatred. All of it tasted sweeter than I ever expected.
"I'll send someone for my things," I said softly. Then, unable to resist, I let a slow, smug smile spread across my face. "Enjoy the headlines."
And with Adrian at my side, we walked out leaving them drowning in the mess they thought they could control.