The Devil I Loved

Chapter 3 : The Devil’s deal.

Alexandria’s POV

“Fine, I'll be your wife.”

The words leave my mouth before I can take them back. For a moment Elijah didn't say anything, and neither did I.

Marriage was never a part of the plan. I came back to destroy him, to destroy his family, and to find the evidence that my father was innocent.

Yet, here I am, standing in the middle of his office, agreeing to become his wife. My stomach twists at the thought and I look at the envelope in his hand. That’s the only reason why I agreed, not because I trust him, not because I want him and definitely not because I forgive him.

But that envelope could contain everything I’ve spent five years working towards. And marrying Elijah would allow me to get closer to his family, making it easier for me to have my revenge.

“You’re serious?” Elijah asks and I look back at him.

“I just said yes, didn’t I?”

He studies my face for a moment. “You hate me.”

“I do.” My answer came too quickly, and I could see his jaw tighten. Good.

“You’re willing to marry a man who you hate for what happened to your family?” He asks.

I let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Don’t flatter yourself, I'm only agreeing to this because you have something I need.”

For the first time, I saw the faintest smile on his face, not a warm one, a knowing one. He knows exactly what he’s doing. Of course he does.

I hold out my hand. “The envelope.”

He doesn't move. “You can have it after we’ve made the arrangements.”

My hand slowly drops. “What arrangements?”

“The only reason I want a wife is because my father is preparing to step down from the company.” I stare at him confused.

“But he refuses to hand over his shares of the company until I fulfill one condition, to get married, and so I need a wife to secure my position as the next head of Torres empire.”

“We only need to be legally married for twelve months so that my position as head of the empire is sealed, after that, you’re free to get a divorce.”

“But” he continues, “if we are going to go forward in this arrangement, we would need to have some rules.”

I fold my arms “I’m listening.”

He walks back towards the desk. “Firstly, you don’t investigate my family behind my back, and you will involve me in whatever you find.”

I scoff “So you expect me to trust you?”

“No, you don’t have to trust me.” He starts walking towards me, his gaze not faltering away for even a second.

“Secondly, whatever happens between us stays between us, you cannot embarrass me or my family publicly.”

“Okay, is that all?”

“No. lastly, throughout the duration of this arrangement…you’re going to be living with me.” He finally says, his expression remaining unreadable.

I stare at him. “Absolutely not.”

“Then the deal is off.” My jaw clenches.

I don’t like it, not even a little. But if agreeing means getting closer to the truth then I'll do it.

I take a deep breath. “Fine.”

“Alright then, let’s go.”

We enter his luxurious town car, and Elijah drives me to the Torres family gate.

I could feel my heart beating violently behind my chest.

The mansion sits behind enormous black gates, surrounded by perfectly trimmed grass and tall walls that hide most of the property from the road.

The house itself is massive, with enormous windows stretching across the front. Everything about it screamed wealth and power.

I remember coming here years ago.

Back then, I was welcomed through these doors as the daughter of a business partner.

But I was never welcomed as Elijah’s girlfriend or lover, they always thought he could do better.

And so, they didn’t see me as a perfect match for their son.

Tonight, I’m going to be introduced as Elijah Torres’s future wife.

And, I already know I definitely won’t be welcomed warmly.

The moment we walk into the main hall, I could feel every pair of eyes turn towards us.

Nathaniel Torres was the first to notice me.

His expression changes immediately.

First surprised, then to something much colder.

“Alexandria.” He says my name like it’s something unpleasant in his mouth.

I force a smile “Good to see you again Mr Torres.”

His mother stepped forward, looking at me with a cold glare, her eyes not faltering for her second.

“What the hell is she doing here?”

Elijah’s hand settles against my lower back.

“I have something to tell everyone.”

No one says anything at first. Elijah looks at me briefly before turning back toward his family.

“Alexandria and I are getting married.”

Silence fills the room and for a moment, nobody moves.

I look around at the faces staring back at me and I immediately regret agreeing to come here.

Elijah’s mother was the first to talk

“Obviously you can’t be serious.”

Her voice is cold and disbelieving.

“Yes, I am.” Elijah says back at her.

Before anyone could say anything else, a scoff came from the other side of the room.

I turned my head and saw a woman sitting comfortably on the sofa, with her legs crossed.

She stands up and begins walking towards me.

I recognized her immediately.

Bailey Rosewood.

Elijah’s spoiled and arrogant cousin who was always far too comfortable saying whatever came to her mind.

Apparently, five years hadn’t changed her. If anything, she looked even more entitled now.

“Well.” she says, letting out a small laugh, “This is certainly unexpected.”

“Out of all the women in Los Angeles, you choose her?”

Elijah’s eyes move toward her. “Bailey.”

“What?” she shrugs innocently and her eyes move back to me.”

“I’m just saying, I guess five years in London must have been rough if this is what you came back for.”

I feel my jaw tighten and I look away from her before I say something I'll regret.

“That’s enough Bailey.” Elijah says back to her, his expression darkening.

Elijah’s mother steps forward.

“After everything that happened just a few years ago I still don’t understand why you’d want to bring a Sinclair back into this family.”

My stomach twists, I know exactly what she means.

The scandal that destroyed my family.

“I don’t see why the past has to affect our decision.” Elijah replies calmly.

She lets out a humorless laugh. “Of course you don’t.”

Nathaniel Torres has been silent the entire time, his expression unreadable.

Finally, his eyes move towards his son.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

Elijah doesn't hesitate. “Yes.”

Nathaniel’s expression hardens.

“And you have thought this through?”

“Yes.”

His father looks at me again. “I don’t believe this is a good idea.”

His mother shakes her head. “Neither do I.”

Bailey lets out another quiet laugh. “This is going to be interesting.”

I feel my fingers curl against my palm.

Elijah didn’t seem bothered by them. He simply looks around the room and he finally says, completely calm.

“Alexandria and I are getting married in one month.”

My head snaps toward him.

One month???.