The Billionaire's Arranged Bride

Chapter 1

The Billionaire's Arranged Bride

Chapter 1

The Man She Was Supposed to Marry

Astrid Aragon had always been good at following rules.

Not because she was afraid of them, but because she had been raised to believe that some things were simply not hers to question.

Her grandparents had raised her since she was a child. They chose her schools, taught her how to carry herself, decided what kind of people she should associate with, and even had opinions about the clothes she wore.

Astrid had never complained.

After all, they had given her everything.

A beautiful home. A comfortable life. A good education. More love than she could ever ask for.

So when her grandmother called her into the living room one quiet Sunday afternoon, Astrid expected another family discussion about the business.

She didn't expect to hear the words that would completely change her life.

"You're getting married."

Astrid blinked.

She stared at her grandmother.

Then at her grandfather.

Then back at her grandmother.

"I'm sorry?"

Her grandmother, Henrietta Aragon, calmly placed her teacup on the table.

"You heard me."

Astrid gave a nervous laugh.

"I think I heard you wrong."

"You didn't."

Her grandfather, Giovanni Aragon, sat quietly in his armchair, his expression unusually serious.

Astrid slowly sat down.

"Married?"

"Yes."

"To whom?"

Her grandmother exchanged a glance with her husband.

Then she said the name.

"Trey Santillan."

Astrid's mind went completely blank.

She knew the name.

Everyone did.

Trey Santillan was one of the youngest and most powerful billionaires in the country. He was the CEO of Santillan Group, a conglomerate with interests in real estate, technology, logistics, and several other industries Astrid didn't fully understand.

He was also known for being intimidating.

Ruthless.

Private.

Unreasonably handsome, according to every magazine that had ever featured him.

Astrid had seen his face countless times online.

She had never met him.

She slowly looked at her grandparents.

"Who?"

Her grandfather raised an eyebrow.

"Trey Santillan."

"I know the name."

"Good."

"But..."

Astrid swallowed.

"I don't know him."

"You will."

"That wasn't what I meant."

Her grandmother sighed.

"Astrid, listen to us first."

She fell silent.

Her grandmother reached for her hand.

"This marriage is important."

Astrid stared at their joined hands.

Important.

That word alone made her nervous.

"How important?"

Her grandfather answered this time.

"Very."

There was something in his voice that made Astrid sit straighter.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"Then why are you arranging my marriage?"

Her grandmother's expression softened.

"Because we believe this is the right decision for you."

Astrid almost laughed.

"You're talking about marriage as if you're choosing a university."

"This is different."

"It's my life."

The words came out before she could stop them.

Silence filled the room.

Astrid immediately regretted it.

Her grandmother looked at her for a long moment.

Then she smiled sadly.

"We know."

That made Astrid feel even worse.

She looked down.

"I didn't mean..."

"We know what you meant."

Her grandfather leaned forward.

"You've always trusted us."

Astrid nodded.

"I do."

"Then trust us now."

She looked at him.

That was the problem.

How could she say no?

These were the people who had stayed when everyone else had left.

The people who had raised her.

The people who had made sure she never lacked anything.

The people who had spent their entire lives protecting her.

How could she refuse the one thing they were asking of her?

Still, there was one question she needed answered.

"Does he know?"

Her grandmother nodded.

"He agreed."

Astrid's heart sank.

"He agreed?"

"Yes."

"Just like that?"

Her grandfather gave a faint smile.

"His circumstances are complicated."

Astrid frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"You'll understand eventually."

She didn't like that answer.

Not even a little.

---

That evening, Astrid stood in front of her bedroom mirror.

She stared at herself.

Twenty-seven years old.

Independent enough to manage her own responsibilities, but apparently still young enough for her grandparents to decide who she would marry.

She touched her reflection.

"I'm getting married."

The words sounded ridiculous.

She said them again.

"I'm getting married."

Still ridiculous.

She dropped onto her bed.

What was Trey Santillan like?

Cold?

Arrogant?

Difficult?

Probably all three.

She searched his name on her phone.

His photos appeared immediately.

Trey Santillan in a black suit.

Trey Santillan at a business conference.

Trey Santillan stepping out of a car surrounded by security.

Trey Santillan looking completely unimpressed by the existence of cameras.

Astrid stared at one particular photograph.

He was tall.

Broad-shouldered.

Sharp features.

Dark hair.

A perfectly composed expression.

He looked like the kind of man who could fire someone without blinking.

Astrid sighed.

"Great."

She locked her phone.

"I have to marry a human ice sculpture."

Her phone immediately rang.

She nearly jumped.

Her grandmother.

Astrid answered.

"Hello?"

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"You sound worried."

"I'm not worried."

A pause.

"You're lying."

Astrid smiled despite herself.

"Maybe a little."

Her grandmother's voice softened.

"You don't have to be afraid."

"That's easy for you to say."

"I know."

Astrid sat up.

"Have you met him?"

"Yes."

"What is he like?"

Another pause.

"Complicated."

Astrid groaned.

"Everyone keeps saying that."

"He is not cruel."

"That wasn't exactly what I asked."

Her grandmother laughed quietly.

"He is serious. He is very protective of the people he loves. He doesn't trust easily."

"And he's okay with marrying me?"

"He agreed."

Astrid looked down.

"Does he even know what I look like?"

"He's seen your photographs."

"That doesn't count."

"It counts enough for him."

Astrid frowned.

That didn't make her feel better.

Her grandmother continued.

"You'll meet him tomorrow."

Astrid froze.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Wait. Tomorrow?"

"At dinner."

"With him?"

"Yes."

Astrid fell backward onto her pillows.

"Oh, God."

Her grandmother laughed.

"Good night, sweetheart."

"Good night."

The call ended.

Astrid stared at the ceiling.

Tomorrow.

She was going to meet the man she was supposed to marry.

A complete stranger.

She closed her eyes.

"This is insane."

---

The next evening, Astrid stood outside the private dining room of one of the city's most exclusive restaurants.

She adjusted her dress for the fifth time.

"You look beautiful."

Her grandmother stood beside her.

Astrid looked at her.

"Do I look nervous?"

"No."

"Good."

"You look terrified."

Astrid groaned.

"Lola."

Her grandmother smiled.

"You'll be fine."

The door opened.

Astrid took a deep breath.

Then she walked inside.

Her grandfather and grandmother entered behind her.

And then she saw him.

Trey Santillan was standing beside the window, his back partially turned toward them.

He wore a black suit.

No tie.

One hand was in his pocket.

He turned at the sound of the door.

Astrid's breath caught.

Pictures had not done him justice.

He was even more intimidating in person.

His eyes settled on her.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Trey looked at her grandparents.

"Good evening."

His voice was deep and controlled.

He greeted them politely before turning his attention back to Astrid.

She suddenly became painfully aware of everything.

Her dress.

Her hair.

Her hands.

Her heartbeat.

"This is Astrid," her grandmother said.

Trey already knew.

"I know."

Astrid raised an eyebrow.

"You do?"

"I've seen your photograph."

She almost laughed.

"So my grandmother wasn't exaggerating."

Trey's lips twitched slightly.

"No."

That tiny reaction surprised her.

He could smile.

Good to know.

Her grandfather gestured toward the table.

"Why don't you two sit?"

Astrid sat across from Trey.

For a few moments, there was nothing but silence.

Their grandparents eventually excused themselves, leaving them alone.

Astrid looked at Trey.

He looked back.

She cleared her throat.

"So..."

"So."

"You know why we're here."

"Yes."

"You're really okay with this?"

Trey leaned back in his chair.

"I agreed to it."

"That wasn't my question."

He studied her.

Then he answered honestly.

"No."

Astrid blinked.

"No?"

"I didn't want an arranged marriage."

She nodded slowly.

"Neither did I."

"Good."

"Good?"

"It means we're starting from the same place."

Astrid didn't know whether to laugh.

"You're very straightforward."

"I don't see the point in pretending."

She looked at him.

"Then let's be honest."

"Go ahead."

"If we actually get married..."

Trey waited.

"What do you expect from me?"

His expression remained calm.

"Nothing complicated."

"Meaning?"

"You live your life. I live mine."

Astrid frowned.

"That sounds more like a business arrangement than a marriage."

"It is an arrangement."

She stared at him.

Then she smiled faintly.

"At least you're honest."

"I told you."

Astrid looked down at the table.

She had expected arrogance.

She had expected coldness.

She hadn't expected honesty.

That made him slightly more difficult to dislike.

Trey leaned forward.

"Astrid."

She looked at him.

"If you agree to this, I will respect you."

His voice was serious.

"I won't control you. I won't humiliate you. And I won't expect you to become someone you're not."

Astrid was quiet.

"And what do you expect from yourself?"

Trey's eyes met hers.

"I'll protect you."

She blinked.

"Why?"

"Because if you're going to become my wife, you're going to be under my name."

Astrid frowned.

"That sounds possessive."

"It probably is."

She almost smiled.

"At least you're honest."

His expression softened slightly.

"And you?"

"What about me?"

"What do you want?"

Astrid looked at him.

For the first time that evening, she realized he wasn't asking what her grandparents wanted.

He was asking her.

She took a slow breath.

"I want to be treated like a person."

Trey didn't hesitate.

"You will be."

Astrid stared at him.

Something about the certainty in his voice made her heart beat faster.

She didn't know this man.

She didn't trust him.

She wasn't in love with him.

But perhaps that was the strange thing about their situation.

They weren't starting with love.

They were starting with a choice.

Astrid looked down at her hands.

Then back at him.

"If I say yes..."

Trey waited.

"...you won't regret it?"

His eyes remained fixed on hers.

"I don't make decisions I intend to regret."

Astrid smiled faintly.

"That sounds very billionaire of you."

For the first time, Trey actually laughed.

It was quiet.

Brief.

But real.

And somehow, that made him look less like the intimidating man from the magazines.

More human.

Trey leaned back.

"So?"

Astrid took one final breath.

She thought about her grandparents.

She thought about the life she knew.

And then she looked at the stranger sitting across from her.

"Okay."

Trey raised an eyebrow.

"Okay?"

She nodded.

"I'll marry you."

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he extended his hand across the table.

"Then we have a deal."

Astrid stared at his hand.

A deal.

Not a love story.

Not yet.

She placed her hand in his.

His fingers closed around hers.

Warm.

Steady.

Certain.

And just like that, Astrid Aragon agreed to marry a man she barely knew.

She had no idea that the stranger sitting across from her would soon become the most important person in her life.

And Trey Santillan had no idea that the woman he had never chosen would become the one person he would eventually refuse to live without.