FORCED TO BE WITH MR RIGHT

CHAPTER 3: The Announcement

“You again,” he said calmly.

I scoffed. “Don’t ‘you again’ me. What are you doing in my house?”

Before he could respond, another voice spoke.

“Reign.”

I blinked.

That was when I noticed them.

A well-dressed couple seated beside my parents. His parents. Mr. and Mrs. Devan.

Oh.

Oh no.

“Come and sit,” Mrs. Devan said gently to him.

He walked past me like I didn’t exist and took his seat. Calm. Composed. Annoying.

I slowly sat down, my heart hammering in my chest. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

I glanced around the table. My older brother, Raymond, sat beside me, his sharp eyes watching every move, his jaw tight with that protective frown I hated but secretly appreciated. Across the table, Reign’s older sister sat elegantly, arms folded, her eyes narrowing as she appraised me. Beside her, Reign’s younger brother fidgeted nervously, hands folded neatly on the table, stealing glances at his brother as if anticipating the explosion that was about to happen.

Dinner began, but it was… wrong. Too polite. Too quiet. Too meticulously planned. Every movement seemed rehearsed. I hated it.

“So,” I said finally, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace, “anyone care to explain what’s going on?”

My dad exchanged a glance with Mr. and Mrs. Devan. That was my first red flag. Something in the way they nodded slightly to each other made me realize I was in for the worst surprise of my life.

My mum cleared her throat.

“Daisy… Reign… your families have decided that you two will be married,” she said calmly.

I choked on my drink.

“What?!” I spluttered.

Reign froze for a second, then let out a low laugh that made my blood boil. “You’ve got to be joking.”

“I’m not joking,” Mum said firmly. “We’ve agreed that this is the best match for both of you.”

I slammed my hand on the table. “No! Absolutely not! I’ve never even met this guy before! I have my degree to finish, and I am NOT marrying a stranger!”

Reign shook his head, leaning back in his chair, his eyes glinting with irritation. “And I have my life - my music, my career, my freedom. I’m not getting married either. Stranger or not.”

For a moment, the table went silent - so silent I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears. Then, incredibly, both sets of parents smiled at each other as if our objections didn’t even exist.

“You will be married,” my dad said, calm, unwavering, final. “It is decided.”

I could feel my blood boil. My hands clenched into fists. My nails dug into my palms.

Reign’s eyes flicked toward me, sharp and annoyed. “They are literally not even listening to us.”

“No kidding,” I muttered under my breath, glaring at him.

Raymond reached over and squeezed my hand. “Stay calm, Daisy,” he whispered.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. I wanted to shove the nearest plate across the table.

But worse than anger… a strange, unsettling dread settled over me.

I watched Reign lean back, smirking faintly, completely composed while I wanted to throw my chair at the wall.

“So… let me get this straight,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. “You all just… decided this? Without asking me? Or him? Or… consulting anyone?”

His older sister finally spoke, her tone silky but sharp. “It’s tradition. And sometimes… we don’t ask. Decisions are made for the greater good.”

I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. “Tradition? The greater good? You’re marrying strangers! The greater good would be… not ruining people’s lives!”

Reign’s younger brother shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding my gaze. Reign, of course, didn’t flinch. He leaned back, one arm resting casually across the back of his chair, and smirked at me.

“I told you,” he said softly, voice low enough that only I could hear, “you’re stuck with me now.”

I stared at him. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t worry,” he continued, the smirk never leaving his face. “It’s going to be… interesting.”

I wanted to scream, but Raymond’s hand on mine kept me anchored.

I looked around the table once more. Parents smiling politely. Reign’s family nodding in agreement. Everyone was calm. Everyone… except me and Reign.

Deep down, I knew one thing: this was not going to be a normal engagement. And somehow… I had a feeling Reign Devan was going to make my life a living nightmare.

I locked eyes with him across the table. That same infuriating, arrogant smirk had returned.

“Welcome to your new life, Daisy,” he said softly.

And just like that… my world changed forever.