**Natasha's POV**
The maids had cleared the plates, and everyone was moving from the dining table. I exhaled slowly, relieved to finally leave the tense dining table. But just as I reached the bottom of the steps, I heard his voice behind me.
“If that was your best effort to make a good impression, you’ve failed already. So… that’s how you plan to impress me? By showing up late and sitting there like you’ve got nothing to say?” His tone was sharp and mocking.
“I wasn’t late on purpose. I came straight here after landing.”
He shrugged. “You think that excuses anything? If we’re doing this marriage thing, you need to get one thing straight—I don’t have patience for excuses.”
“I wasn’t aware I needed to impress you. I didn’t come here to perform for you,” I replied, tightening my grip o
