The Casanova's Bride

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

I HAVE MY OWN PLANS

Amara

For several seconds, I simply stared at the contract.

Then I pushed it across the table.

"No."

My father looked up.

"What did you say?"

"I said no."

My voice didn't shake this time.

I stood from the couch and grabbed my handbag.

"I have a life. I have plans. I'm at varsity because I'm building a future for myself. I'm not throwing all of that away because you decided I'm worth more as someone's wife."

"Amara—"

"No, Dad."

I raised my hand, stopping him.

"You don't get to make this decision for me."

My mother sighed.

"You don't understand what this marriage could do for our family."

"I understand perfectly."

I picked up my phone.

"You want their money. Their connections. Their name."

My father stood.

"You will marry Alexander Devereaux."

I looked him straight in the eyes.

"No, I won't."

I turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to varsity."

"You think you can just walk away?"

I stopped.

Then slowly turned around.

"I know I can."

I walked upstairs before either of them could answer.

The moment I entered my bedroom, I locked the door.

My hands were trembling, but my mind was clear.

I wasn't going to let them decide my entire future.

I grabbed my phone and called the one person I knew would actually listen to me.

She answered on the second ring.

"Amara? What's wrong?"

"Zola, I need your help."

There was silence.

"Are you okay?"

"No."

I sat on the edge of my bed and looked at the photograph of Alexander lying beside me.

"My family is trying to force me into a marriage."

"What?"

"An arranged marriage."

"Amara, you're joking."

"I wish I was."

I took a deep breath.

"I need to get out of here before they make me sign anything."

Zola immediately became serious.

"Then come stay with me."

For the first time that evening, I smiled.

"Thank you."

I ended the call and began packing.

I didn't know who Alexander Devereaux was.

I didn't care how rich his family was.

And I certainly wasn't interested in becoming the wife of some billionaire heir I'd never met.

I had dreams.

I had ambitions.

And I had worked too hard to build a future for myself just to let someone else choose it for me.

If my family wanted a war over this marriage...

They had just chosen the wrong daughter.