The Casanova's Bride

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

WHERE IS ZOLA?

Amara

I stared at my parents, completely confused.

These weren't the parents I knew.

They were Christians. They had always taught me about kindness, forgiveness, and doing what was right.

So why were they standing in front of me with men dressed like this?

"No, Mom..."

My voice trembled.

I looked around the room again.

"Where is Zola?"

My mother looked away.

My heart sank.

"Please."

I stepped toward her.

"Where is my best friend?"

"Amara, calm down."

"How can I calm down?"

I shook my head.

"You knew I was coming here. You knew Zola would help me. Where is she?"

My eyes moved toward the men.

"Please don't hurt her."

My father frowned.

"Nobody is going to hurt Zola."

"Then where is she?"

Silence.

I swallowed hard.

"You have to tell me."

My mother finally looked at me.

"Zola is safe."

"Then let me speak to her."

She hesitated.

That hesitation told me everything.

I pulled out my phone and immediately tried calling Zola.

Straight to voicemail.

Again.

Nothing.

My chest tightened.

"Mom, please."

I could feel tears gathering in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Whatever you're doing, leave her out of this."

My father stepped forward.

"This has nothing to do with Zola."

"Then why is she gone?"

He didn't answer.

I looked between my parents and the men surrounding us.

Something wasn't right.

And for the first time, I wondered if the marriage contract wasn't simply about money.

Maybe there was something else behind it.

Something my parents weren't telling me.

I wiped my eyes and straightened my shoulders.

"Listen carefully."

Everyone looked at me.

"I don't care how much money Alexander Devereaux has. I don't care how powerful his family is."

I looked directly at my father.

"I will not marry a stranger because you ordered me to."

My father stared at me for a long moment.

Then his expression changed.

"You're going to meet him tomorrow."

I shook my head.

"No."

He calmly replied,

"That's not a request."

My heart pounded.

But I lifted my chin.

"Then I guess you're about to discover how stubborn your daughter really is."