The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride

My father’s words struck me like a slap. “Elara, you’re getting married. That’s final.” I froze, my hands quaking at my sides. “You can’t be serious.” But the baleful look in his eyes told me he was. I had spent my entire life within his control, but this? This was too far. “I’m not going to do it,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’m not going to marry a stranger just because of you. ” “He’s not a stranger,” my father interjected, his voice sharp. “You know him well.” There was something in his voice that made my stomach turn. My heart raced as he slid a smooth, black envelope across the table. I paused and picked it up with unsteady fingers. The first thing I saw when I flipped it open was his name. Lucas Thompson. My blood ran cold. No. No, no, no. I looked up at my father. “This has to be a joke.” He didn’t blink. “You think I’d make a joke about something so important?” A weight crushed my chest. Lucas Thompson. The one person I’d promised never to face again. My childhood bully. The boy who had made my life hell. And now… was he going to be my husband? I slid the envelope back toward my father. “Find someone else. “I would rather die than marry him. His jaw tightened. “Then you need to pick up a shovel and start digging your grave.” With a coldness, fear winded me like ice. My father was not the kind of man you disobeyed. He had forged his empire from nothing, steamrolling anyone who stood in his path, including his daughter. “He’s ready to wipe the slate clean if you marry him,” he went on. If you say no, I lose everything. And so will you.” I opened my mouth to argue, but the words stuck in my throat. This wasn’t just about me. My father had gotten himself into a hole so deep that there was no escape except through me. Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “When?” My voice came out hollow. “Tomorrow.” I sucked in a sharp breath. Tomorrow. And before I could say another word, the doors flew open. When I saw him, the room’s atmosphere became stultifying. Lucas. He was taller than I recalled, broader, his bright blue eyes missing something dark. He walked in with the swagger of a man who owned the planet. And in a way, he did. His eyes zeroed in on mine, and there was something in his look that made my stomach coil. “Hello, Elara.” His voice was deep, smooth, but nothing warm about it. I made myself keep looking at him. “Still ruining lives, I see.” His mouth twisted, but not into a smile. “And you’re still fleeing from reality.” I clenched my fists. “I’m not marrying you.” His eyes broke into small fireworks of amusement. “Oh, but you are.” I turned to my father. “I can’t” “You will,” my father said sharply. “You have no choice.” Lucas hadn’t broken eye contact, stepping closer. “Let me explain this to you in simple terms,” he said, his voice low. “Either tomorrow you say ‘I do,’ or your father loses everything.” From there, I swallowed hard, my heart hammering. He leaned in, warm breath on my skin. “And believe me, baby,” he whispered. “You don’t want to know what happens if you say no.” I shivered. This wasn’t merely a business agreement. It was a warning. A promise. And I was trapped. I wanted to scream. To throw something. To run. Only Lucas stood there, watching me, waiting. “I hate you,” I said, my voice trembling. His lips curled into an expression that was not a smile. “Good. It will just make this more interesting.” I looked to my father, hoping, praying, even that he would change his mind. But the chilly, pleased look on his face told me all I needed to know. This had been planned. All the moves, all the words, all the traps. Lucas stepped forward, bringing space between us. “We should talk.” I shook my head. “I don’t have anything to say to you.” He didn’t react. “Too bad. Because you’re about to become my wife.” My stomach twisted. My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “Why me? “What would anyone want with me, out of all the women in the world? Lucas looked me over for a good long time, then leaned in. His voice was low, reserved just for me. “Because I wanted it to be you.” My breath caught. Before I could recover, he stood straight. “Be ready tomorrow. I don’t like delays.” Then, he turned and left without another word, and left me standing there, shaking. As soon as the door was closed behind him, I looked to my father. “You knew this would happen, didn’t you?” His expression didn’t change. “You should be grateful. Lucas is powerful. He can protect you.” “From whom?” I snapped. “From you?” A flash of irritation crossed his face, but he suppressed it quickly. “You’ll thank me one day.” I let out a bitter laugh. “I doubt it.” And I stormed out before he could get another word out. I barely slept that night. Morning came too fast. As I put my clothes on, my hands shook and my heart raced with every passing second. Then the car arrived. As soon as I stepped outside, I found it hard to breathe. Lucas was waiting. Arms crossed, leaning against the sleek black car, watching me with unreadable eyes. I hesitated. He arched a brow. “Second thoughts?” A thousand. But I swallowed them back down and pushed myself onward. The ride was silent. The air was thick with tension, but neither of us spoke. By the time we arrived at the courthouse, my stomach was churning. Lucas stepped out first. Then, before I could even think, he was at my side, and he clasped my hand in his. I flinched, but he continued to grip me. His fingers closed tighter around mine. “Let’s go.” I decided to follow since I had no other option. Back inside, the ceremony sped up. Cold. Signatures and grinding away at some vacuous words. Then it was done. I was married. To Lucas Thompson. As soon as we got outside, I wrenched my hand away. “I hope you’re happy.” Lucas looked at me, his blue eyes dark. “Oh, baby,” he said softly. “You have no idea.”