EpisodeFour:Owned
865 Words
Silence stretched across the boardroom, thick and soffocating.
I gripped the contract in trembling fingers, my breath swallow, uneven.
My father, the man who had raised me, protected me, had handled me over to a stranger.
No……..not a stranger anymore, I guess
Dominic Vale.
The man who had orchestrated our one night stand. The man who had stolen my family company overnight. A man who now sat before me , looking utterly unbotherd by the fact that he had just claimed me like property.
My stomach twisted.
I clenched the contract in my fists and lifted my glare to him.
“Tell me this is a joke,” I hissed.
Dominic smirked, utterly relaxed in his chair. “I don't joke about business wife.”
The word again.
Wife.
My nail dug into my palms. “I'm not your wife.”
Dominic tilted his head, watching me like a predator amused by its prey.
“Not yet.”
A sharp laugh left my lips, humorless and brittle. “You expect me to marry you? You think I'll just…what? Put on a white dress and say ‘i do’ while you steal my family legacy?”
He didn't even blink. “Yes”
My blood boiled.
“You're insane,” I spat.
Dominic stood slowly, his movement controlled, calculated. He adjusted the cuff of his expensive suits before closing the distance between us .
I refused to back away. I wouldn't cower.
When he was closed enough that his cologne wrapped around me like a noose,, he whispered, “no, Celeste. I'm just powerful enough to get what I want.”
My pulse roared in my ears.
I hated him.
Hated the way he spoke with certainty. Hated the way looked at me like I was already his.
Hated that he wasn't wrong.
I turned sharply to my father.
“You let this happen.” My voice cracked, betraying the pain ripping through me.
My father looked away, his shoulder hunched, his once proud posture defeated.
Tear stung my eyes.
He had always told me, I was his greatest treasure. And now….he had given me away.
My father finally whispered, “I didn't have a choice, Celeste.”
My heart shattered.
Dominic voice was like silk and steel. “You do.”
I turned back to him, my fury rising again.
“Oh, do I?” I mocked.
He leaned closer, his breath fanning against my ear as he murmured, “you can walk away. But if you do, your father looses everything.”
My breath hitched.
I turned to my father, desperate. “Tell me there's a way out.”
My father's silence was my answer.
My throat closed.
Dominic's voice was softer now, but no less ruthless.
“Make your choice, Celeste.”
His dark eyes locked onto mine, filled with certainty.
As if he already knew what and would do.
As if he had already won.
My hands curled into fists..
I had spent my entire life being the perfect daughter. The obedient heiress. The Monroe princess.
And now?
I was nothing but a pawn.
Tears swelled behind my eyes.
But I wouldn't cry.
Not here. Not in front of him.
Instead, I lifted my chin.
“Fine,” I bit out.
Dominic lips curved. “Fine”
My jaw clenched. “I'll marry you.”
A murmurs spread across the room.
But I wasn't finished.
“on one condition.” I said.
Dominic raised a brow. “And what's that?”
My voice was sharp as a blade. “I will never love you.”
The amusement in his gaze flickered into something darker. But then he smirked, stepping back.
“We'll see about that,” he murmured.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat.
My freedom was gone.
My life was no longer my own.
And Dominic Vale.
Had just won.
—-------------------------------------
I had spent my entire life in high society.
I had attended lavish galas, mingled with business tycoon, smiled for the cameras.
But tonight, tonight was different.
Tonight, I wasn't Celeste Monroe daughter of a business mogul.
I was Celeste Vale, Dominic fiancee.
My throat tightened as I stepped into the grand ballroom.
Eyes turned. Murmurs rose.
And then, all at once the crowd parted.
Dominic stood at the centre, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo holding two champagne flutes.
His gaze met mine, sharp, unbearable.
He extended a glass.
“Shall we give them a show, fiancee?”
My pulse pounded.
I hated him but I took the glass.
As the camera flashed, he leaned down, brushing his lips against my ear.
“You look stunning,” he murmured. “ Puty you're pretending to hate me.”
My finger tightened around my glass.
“Pity you think I'm pretending,” I shot back.
His chuckle was low, dark. “Oh Celeste.”
His lip brushed my temple, a calculated display of affection for the cameras.
My entire body tensed.
This was my life now.
Trapped. Owned . Powerless.
Or atleast…..that's what Dominic thought.
But he made one crucial mistake.
He undertsimat me.
I might have agreed to marry him.
But I would never belong to him.
- Writer
