The Destined One

Chapter 2: Behind the engagement

The warmth of the engagement banquet hadn't fully faded, but the Rockefeller estate was eerily quiet under the night sky. Alone by her bedroom window, Victoria stared into the darkness, feeling a heavyweight settle in her chest.

Everyone at the banquet had celebrated the union as a strategic alliance between two powerful families as if her happiness was just another pawn in their game of power and wealth. But Victoria knew her role in this marriage was already set in stone — she was no longer the adored Rockefeller heiress, but someone destined to become another man's accessory.

The next morning, Victoria arrived at the family's meeting room right on time, as instructed by the butler. Today, she would meet Aiden in private to discuss the details of their upcoming marriage.

The air in the room was heavy, the large crystal chandelier casting a sharp, unforgiving light that exposed every small detail of their expressions.

Victoria wore a pale blue silk dress, her appearance as flawless as a piece of delicate porcelain — beautiful on the surface, yet fragile within. She approached the center of the room, where Aiden was already waiting, his posture straight and rigid, as if carved from stone.

“Please, have a seat, Victoria.” Aiden's voice was calm, devoid of emotion. Dressed in a dark suit, he exuded an air of authority that allowed no room for warmth.

Victoria's gaze flickered with a hint of distaste. Her future husband had done nothing to leave her with a favorable impression.

She sat across from him, her fingers lightly gripping the armrest, a practiced smile resting on her lips. “Since we both know why we're here, I don't see the point in dancing around the subject.”

Aiden nodded, folding his hands on the table. His eyes locked onto hers, devoid of any warmth, filled only with cool, calculating reason. “This marriage is, for both of us, nothing more than the continuation of our families’ interests. With that in mind, we should come to an agreement about the specifics.”

Victoria's eyes hardened slightly. She had always known this marriage was a power play, but hearing Aiden state it so bluntly still stung. In a soft but pointed tone, she asked, “So, to you, marriage is just a transaction? Don't you believe it should have some emotional foundation?”

Aiden's lips curved into a faint, almost mocking smile. “Marriage is, at its core, a contract. Whether we admit it or not, that's the reality. Emotions, especially love, are just illusions people create for themselves. Families like ours should understand that better than anyone.”

Victoria felt a sharp pang in her chest. She had known Aiden to be a pragmatic, logical man, but his cold view of marriage filled her with both anger and frustration. Her fingers curled into her palm, nails digging into her skin as she fought to keep her voice steady. “To you, it may be a contract, but I refuse to let my life be dictated by a mere piece of paper. Regardless of what our families want, I still have the right to choose.”

Aiden's gaze didn't waver. He looked at her as if she were an object to be assessed, not a person. “Your right to choose? You don't have as many options as you think. We both know you won’t go against your family’s wishes. This marriage was decided long before today.”

Victoria felt as though an invisible force was pressing down on her, leaving her standing on the edge of a cliff with nowhere to turn. She couldn't deny the truth in Aiden's words, nor could she truly resist her family's will. As much as she hated to admit it, this marriage had been set in motion long ago.

“Maybe you're right,” she said, her voice laced with a bitter laugh, her eyes flashing with defiance. “But I won’t just roll over and surrender. We can sign the contract, but I won't let myself become a puppet.”

Aiden studied her in silence for a moment, as if weighing her words. Then, with a slight shrug, he replied, his voice cold and detached. “You're welcome to try. But remember, the balance of power in this marriage will always rest with me. You want to hold onto your freedom? That will depend on whether I allow it.”

Victoria's blood boiled as she stared at him, fury rushing through her veins. She had spent her life being adored, never treated with such indifference. Yet she knew that no amount of resistance would change Aiden's stance. He was confident, unyielding, an immovable fortress.

The tension in the room thickened, the air almost suffocating. Their silent standoff had reached its peak, neither willing to give an inch in this battle of wills. Finally, Aiden broke the silence. “Since we've reached an understanding, we'll move forward as planned. The wedding will be held in three months, according to our families' wishes.”

Victoria didn't respond. There was no point in arguing any further. Rising from her seat, she turned and left the room. Her posture remained upright, graceful as always, but inside, a storm raged. As she stepped out of the room, she could almost hear something deep within her c***k, as if part of her had shattered.