The Billionaire’s Trapped Bride

The Forced Proposal

Elena POV

Xander Knight was a man who prided himself on control over his life, his business, and especially his emotions. But as he stormed into the lavish sitting room of the Knight estate, where I sat waiting with trembling hands, I could tell that control was slipping through his fingers.

The tension in the room was suffocating, the air thick with unspoken words and resentment. I swallowed hard as Xander came to a sharp stop before me, his stormy gray eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine.

“You win,” he ground out, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might snap. “I’ll marry you.”

My stomach twisted painfully. “This isn’t about winning, Xander.”

A sharp, bitter laugh escaped him. “Oh, isn’t it? My father has made it clear that I have no other choice. Marry you, or suffer consequences that could ruin everything I’ve built.” He exhaled harshly, running a hand through his dark hair. “So tell me, Elena, how does it feels? Knowing you’ve trapped me into marriage?”

I flinched, my fingers curling into fists against my lap. “You think I wanted this? "That I planned to be pregnant and backed into a corner?” My voice wavered, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. “You’re not the only one losing something, Xander. My freedom, my choices—they’re being taken from me too.”

For a fleeting moment, something flickered in his expression—something almost like guilt. But then his face hardened again. “You should’ve walked away while you had the chance.”

I let out a shaky breath. “I wasn’t given a choice,” I whispered. “Your father made sure of that.”

Xander turned away, his hands clenched at his sides. “Fine." Let’s just get this over with. We’ll announce the engagement tomorrow. We’ll set a date. "We’ll do what’s expected.”

My heart ached at his cold, detached tone. I wanted to scream, to shake him and make him understand that this wasn’t just some business deal. But what good would it do? He had already made up his mind about me—about us.

I rose to my feet, steadying myself. “If we’re doing this,” I said, my voice quiet but firm, “I want a say in how it happens." I won’t be paraded around like some trophy fiancée for the sake of optics.”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t care how we do it, as long as it’s done.”

The words stung more than I expected. I had known this wouldn’t be a fairytale proposal. There would be no declarations of love, no heartfelt promises. Just two people bound by obligation and circumstance. Still, hearing him say it so callously made my chest tighten with a pain I refused to name.

“Then we’re agreed,” I said, my voice hollow. “This is just a transaction. Nothing more.”

For a moment, Xander hesitated, his gaze searching mine. But whatever he was looking for, he didn’t find it. Instead, he nodded sharply. “Nothing more.”

And just like that, the deal was sealed.

The following morning, I found myself in the grand hall of the Knight estate, surrounded by event planners and stylists. William Knight had wasted no time in ensuring our engagement announcement would be a spectacle. If I had any doubts about his true motives, they were erased the moment he began orchestrating every detail like a seasoned puppeteer.

As I stood still, letting a stylist pin my hair into an elegant updo, I caught sight of Xander across the room. He was dressed impeccably in a dark suit, exuding an air of power and detachment. He hadn’t spoken to me since our conversation last night.

“You look lovely, dear,” William said smoothly as he approached. “The perfect picture of a future Mrs. Knight.”

I resisted the urge to shudder. “Is this really necessary?” I asked, forcing politeness into my tone. “An engagement this public?”

William chuckled. “My dear, perception is everything. We need the world to believe in this union.” His gaze turned sharp. “For all our sakes.”

I glanced at Xander, who stood stiffly beside his father, his jaw locked in silent fury. I knew he hated this just as much as I did, but unlike me, he had been playing these games his entire life.

“Shall we?” William gestured towards the ballroom, where cameras and reporters awaited.

Xander finally turned to me, extending his hand. His touch was impersonal, his fingers barely brushing mine as we walked forward together.

As the cameras flashed and questions were shouted in our direction, I forced a smile, playing the part of the dutiful fiancée. But inside, I felt like a pawn in a game I had never wanted to play.

And the worst part? I had no idea how to escape it.