MARRIAGE WITH MY EX-BOYFRIEND'S FATHER

“The Deal” Sienna's POV "Are you really calling for marriage?" Not from lack of confidence but pure incredulity, my voice cracked. My fists whitening, I gripped the wood desk between us. Bookshelves lined with leather-bound volumes, the slight scent of aged whiskey hanging in the air, and Dominick Carlisle reclining like a king on his throne—the office was elegantly suffocating. His eyes, steel-gray, fixed me relentlessly. Indeed, marriage. Both of us benefit from it. Though nothing about this moment made sense, I laughed shakily. The father of your ex-boyfriend is me. In what way is that not crazy? Dominick slanted back in his chair, his fingers steepled as though he had endless time. The man radiated authority, a calm intensity that nevertheless made me feel as though I was about to fall from a precipice. Marcus has nothing of relevance. You have to be financially stable. I need consistency for my development. This design solves both. Not totally from wrath, the heat in my chest blazed. His voice was like velvet laced with danger, smooth and deep, and it was breaking me quicker than I could acknowledge. What then is in it for you? Trying to get some control, I asked. He stood then, his strong form throwing a broad shadow over the tabletop. "Credibility. Confiance. a relationship that renders me untouchable in a society based on impressions. Then you... His eyes darkened as a flutter of something perilous danced behind them. That mess you call a life will release your freedom. Although his words stung, he was right in their audacity. Marcus—well, Marcus had left scars deeper than I could have imagined, and my gallery was drowning in debt, creditors stalking me like wolves. But what about marriage to Dominick? The very idea caused my pulse to rush for all the wrong or perhaps the right reasons. "Why myself?" Whispering, I broke the uneasy quiet. "Because you are more than Marcus ever deserved," he continued, his voice kind but forceful. And so I do not trust readily. You have already shown you are not terrified of conflict. His comments really connected with me; for a moment, his stare felt like a physical touch. I detested the way my breath choked and my stomach turned over. I paced the room, murmuring, "This is insane." People will think—"People will think—" He stepped up and said, "Let them think what they want." His proximity caused awareness-based skin prickle. You worry far too much about appearances. Marcus got to you first for this reason. I stopped; his remarks struck too close to home. "Do not you dare—"? "You know I'm right," he continued, his voice softening but his posture unchanging. It is not about Marcus here. It concerns survival. Sienna, you require this. And you need me whether or not you acknowledge it. His comments hung in the air like a challenge, and I felt the weight of them settled mostly on my chest. Instead of screaming or pushing him away, I discovered myself asking the one question I shouldn't have. "What follows?" Dominick slanted his head and studied me with a focus that dried my throat. "After what?” "After the deal," I murmured, my voice hardly heard. "What happens when you stop needing me?" A shade of weakness passed across his face for the first time; I almost missed it. That is a question for another time. Between us, the air seemed packed with emotions I couldn't name. All of it entwined together in a way that made me dizzy was anger, fear, attraction. I understood I ought to say no, leave this workplace and never turn around. Then he stretched for my hand, his touch hard but shockingly light. His voice a low rumble, "I don't make offers twice, Sienna," he murmured. "This is your opportunity to change your narrative. See it. My lips opened, words forming on the tip of my tongue, but the door exploded open before I could say anything. Are you crazy about me? Marcus's voice cut like a razor across the space. I turned to find him standing there, his face a mask of rage. His blue eyes, once beautiful, now poisoned, flew between Dominick and me. His blond hair was messy. "You are seriously suggesting her?," he spat, fixed on his father. Dominick stated coldly, not even throwing Marcus a glance: "Get out." Marcus shot back, "Not until you explain what the hell this is." His eyes turned to me, and for a brief instant they seemed almost begging. Sienna, you cannot be taken seriously. You are joining him in marriage? My throat grew tight. Marcus, this is not your business. "Like hell it ain't!" He moved jerky and irregular, getting closer. "Do you ever listen to yourself? He is depending on you, Sienna. exactly as he makes use of everyone. Dominick snarled, moving in front of me and said, "That's enough." His voice was low and menacing, a clear alert. Marcus passed him off as indifferent. You believe he worries about you? Not at all. He is only trying to spite me. "That's where you're wrong," Dominick answered, his voice shockingly calm. "This has nothing to do with Marcus. Never was it. The conflict in the room was stifling, and I felt as though I was in the eye of a storm, the gusts about to separate me. "Stop both of you," I said, moving from behind Dominick. Though my voice shook, I pushed myself to look Marcus in the eyes. "This is mine to decide on. Not for you. "Sienna"— Marcus began, then I interrupted him. "No," I responded with great conviction. "You are powerless over me these days. Not following your efforts after everything. His face turned pale, and for a few seconds I considered him perhaps apologizing. He turned on Dominick, though, instead. "This isn't over," he murmured, his voice loaded with poison. You will come to regret this. both of you. Hurrying out, he slammed the door behind him. Dominick turned to me, his face incomprehensible. You alright? I nodded, although my hands shook. "What happened now?" He moved closer, staring right at me. "We now proceed forward." His words weight settled over me, and I shivered—not from anxiety but from expectation—down my spine. But my phone buzzed in my pocket as I started to sort things. I drew it out and scowled at the unidentified number showing on the screen. "Who is it??" Dominick sharpened his tone and inquired. I answered the call gingerly, not sure what to say. "Hello? On the other side, a warped voice shriveled my spine. "Sienna, you have chosen wisely but dangerously. You have no idea what you have yourself entered into. The call went dead, and my heart thumping in my chest, I glanced at the phone. Dominick tightened his jaw and darkened his eyes. "What do they say??" Fear wriggling in my gut, I raised my head toward him. "They said I've chosen a dangerous path." His face grew stiffer, and for the first time I sensed a flutter of something like true anxiety. "Then it's already begun." "What's starting?," I demanded, my voice quivering. He didn't respond, but his gloomy expression would have sent shivers through me. Originally meant to save me, the agreement now seemed like entering a game far more perilous than I could have ever imagined. Dominick grabbed for his phone, and outside the office a tremendous bang sounded. My blood stopped cold at the sound of glass breaking and subdued yells. Dominick said, "Stay here," his voice stern. "Dominick, what's going on?" Panic rising in my chest, I asked. He ignored me, but the way he looked told me all I needed to know. Problems had just come and would not be leaving very soon.