Thhe morning sun was brutal, showering through the curtains like a blade. I hadn't slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Jeslyn collapsing, my parents' accusing stares, Adrian's hand tightening around mine as he declared no, dictated our wedding date. I mean yes I did ask him to marry me, but fixing a date without my consent or approval was something else. How dare the freaking bastard.
One week.
My phone wouldn't stop vibrating on the nightstand. Calls. Messages. Notifications piling on like vultures. And Elara won't stop calling.
I made the mistake of opening Instagram.
#RaineAndAdrianWedding was trending.
Paparazzi shots of me in the hospital lobby, my face pale and stricken, Adrian's hand on my back like he owned me. Headlines screamed:
"The Throne Heir's Shocking Announcement: Wedding in One Week!"
"Raine Vance Engaged After Sister's Collapse—Coincidence?"
"Empire Heiress to Wed Former Rival Power Move or True Love?"
My stomach churned. The comments were worse half calling me a snake who tried to kill Jeslyn, half praising Adrian for "saving" me from scandal.
The door to my room opened without a knock.
Of course.
Adrian strolled in, tie already loosened, sleeves rolled back. He carried a steaming mug of coffee and set it on my dresser like an offering.
"You're awake," he said simply
"Do you ever knock?" I snapped, clutching my phone to my chest like a shield.
His mouth curved. "Not when I already own the room."
My skin burned. "But You don't own me, Adrian."
He tilted his head, eyes flicking to my trembling hands. "Don't I?"
That was it. The fuse snapped.
I shot to my feet forgetting the night gown I wore was practically see through. His eyes immediately went down to my bosom peaking out from the nightgown, my nipples erect from the cold. I couldn't find it in me to care then I was too angry to take note of his eyes fixated on my chest. "You had no right! Standing there in front of my parents, the press, the whole damn city and announcing a wedding? My wedding. Without even asking me?"
"You would've said no." His voice was calm, infuriatingly calm. "And we don't have time for your pride, Raine. Someone wants you dead."
"That doesn't mean you get to control my life!" My voice cracked, but I didn't care. Tears stung my eyes, hot and angry. "Every decision, every move I've been fighting my family for years just to be taken seriously. And now you sweep in and make me look like a pawn in your little empire game!"
He didn't flinch. He just stepped closer, close enough that his cologne drowned out the scent of my fear.
"Listen to me." His tone was sharp now, no softness, no charm. "You can hate me all you want. But yesterday, someone put poison in your drink. Jeslyn just happened to take it first. If you think I'm going to let you stumble around blind, you're wrong."
"I don't need saving, I'm not some damsel in distress."
"You need protection." His eyes burned into mine. "And whether you like it or not, I'm the only one who can give it."
My chest rose and fell, rage tangling with something darker, something hotter.
"You're unbelievable," I whispered. "You think you can just… own me, lock me in, parade me in front of the world like some trophy wife?"
Adrian leaned down, his lips brushing my ear, his voice a low, dangerous murmur.
"Not a trophy, Raine. A queen. My queen. And I'll burn down anyone who tries to take you from me."
My knees went weak. My anger wanted to shove him away, but my body—God, my body betrayed me, shivering under the weight of his words.
I forced my voice out, raw and trembling. "I hate you. I. Fucking. Hate. You."
His mouth brushed the corner of my jaw, not a kiss, just a ghost of one. "You will. Until the day you don't."
Then he straightened, plucking my phone from my hand like it was nothing. He scrolled through the headlines with a glance, his jaw tightening.
"Get dressed. We're going to the office. The vultures will be circling, and we're going to show them exactly how untouchable we are."
And just like that, he walked out, leaving me shaking, furious, humiliated, terrifiedd.