The Casanova's Bride

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME

Amara

I refused to move.

My father stared at me as though he was waiting for me to surrender.

I didn't.

"I want to see Zola."

"Tomorrow."

"I want to see her now."

"Amara—"

"No."

I folded my arms.

"You don't get to threaten me and then expect me to cooperate."

My mother stepped forward.

"Please, my child. Don't make this harder."

I looked at her.

"Then tell me the truth."

She lowered her eyes.

I felt something inside me break.

My mother knew more than she was saying.

Before I could question her again, one of the men in black stepped forward and placed a phone on the table.

"Your meeting has been confirmed."

I frowned.

"Meeting?"

He nodded.

"With Alexander Devereaux."

I stared at him.

"And if I don't go?"

He didn't answer.

My father did.

"Then things become complicated."

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Everything is already complicated."

I grabbed my suitcase.

"I'm going to my room."

My father didn't stop me.

But as I walked upstairs, I heard him speaking quietly to one of the men.

"Make sure she doesn't leave."

I stopped.

My fingers tightened around the suitcase handle.

So that was it.

I wasn't a daughter anymore.

I was a prisoner.

I entered my room and locked the door behind me.

Then I immediately pulled out my phone.

I searched Alexander Devereaux.

The results filled my screen.

Alexander Devereaux — Billionaire Heir.

Youngest CEO in the Devereaux Group.

Known for his lavish lifestyle and high-profile relationships.

I scrolled through article after article.

Photographs of him at parties.

Business events.

Red carpets.

Women beside him.

He was everywhere.

And somehow, my family had decided that this man was going to be my husband.

I stared at his photograph.

He looked arrogant.

Untouchable.

Dangerous in a way that had nothing to do with the men downstairs.

I locked my phone.

"Absolutely not."

Then it buzzed.

An unknown number.

Tomorrow. 10 a.m. Don't be late.

I stared at the message.

A second message appeared.

— Alexander

My heart skipped.

He knew about me.

I slowly sat on my bed.

For the first time, I wondered what kind of man would agree to marry a woman he'd never even met.

And more importantly...

Why me?