Lina's heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear anything else.
Of all people…
Why him?
She took a step back, her fingers curling into fists.
"I don't have time for this," she muttered, trying to walk past him.
But he moved.
Fast.
Blocking her way.
"Running away again?" he asked, his voice low and sharp.
Her chest tightened.
"I'm not running," she snapped, lifting her chin. "I just don't want anything to do with you."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Interesting," he said. "Because fate seems to disagree."
Lina clenched her jaw.
She hated him.
Hated the way he looked at her like he already knew everything about her.
Hated the way her heart refused to calm down around him.
"Move," she said coldly.
Instead, he leaned closer.
Too close.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"You just got humiliated in front of everyone," he said. "Your fiancé left you at the altar… and now your family's reputation is in ruins."
Her breath hitched.
"How do you—"
"I know everything," he cut in smoothly.
Of course he did.
A man like him always knew everything.
Lina swallowed hard.
"Then enjoy the show," she said bitterly. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"You think I care about your embarrassment?"
"Don't you?" she shot back. "You've always enjoyed seeing me suffer."
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Then—
He smiled.
But there was no warmth in it.
"You're right," he said. "I don't care about your feelings."
Lina felt something inside her crack again.
Of course.
Why did she expect anything different?
She turned to leave.
But his next words stopped her cold.
"Marry me."
Her world went silent.
Slowly… she turned back.
"What did you just say?"
"I said," he repeated calmly, "marry me."
Lina stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"You're insane."
"Am I?" he raised an eyebrow. "Let's be practical."
"I just got dumped at the altar!" she snapped. "And your solution is—what? Another marriage?"
"Yes."
The way he said it—so calm, so certain—made her stomach twist.
"No," she said immediately. "Absolutely not."
He didn't react.
Didn't argue.
Instead, he slipped his hands into his pockets and studied her.
"Your family is already being laughed at," he said. "By tomorrow, everyone will know."
Her chest tightened.
"And?"
"And," he continued, "if you walk back in there alone, your reputation is finished."
Lina's nails dug into her palms.
She hated that he was right.
"But if you walk in with me…" he added.
She frowned.
"What are you saying?"
His lips curved slightly.
"We get married today," he said. "Right now."
Her heart skipped.
"You're crazy."
"Maybe," he said. "But I can fix everything."
She shook her head, stepping back.
"No. I'm not making another mistake."
His gaze sharpened.
"This isn't about love."
That hit harder than it should have.
"Then what is it about?" she asked quietly.
"Control," he said.
The word sent a chill down her spine.
"You get your dignity back," he continued. "Your family is saved from shame."
"And you?" she asked.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"I get what I want."
Lina's breath caught.
"And what is that?"
He stepped closer.
Close enough that she could feel his presence, overwhelming and dangerous.
"You," he said simply.
Her heart slammed against her chest.
"No," she whispered.
But it didn't sound convincing.
Not even to her.
"Think carefully," he said softly. "This is your only chance to turn this disaster into power."
She looked back at the church doors.
She could still hear the murmurs inside.
The laughter.
The pity.
Her entire life… her family's name…
All hanging by a thread.
Then she looked at him.
The man she hated.
The man she feared.
The man offering her a way out.
Her voice trembled.
"If I agree… this changes nothing between us."
A slow smile spread across his face.
"Of course," he said. "This is just a deal."
Lina hesitated.
Her heart screamed at her to walk away.
But her pride…
Her pain…
Her anger…
Were louder.
She took a deep breath.
Then—
"Fine," she said.
His eyes darkened with satisfaction.
"Good choice."
But as he reached for her hand—
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
Like she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.
Or the most dangerous one.