Chapter 14
806 Words
Chapter Fourteen — The Pact
The mansion had never been this loud. Not even during funerals. Not even during wars.
Ariana watched from the top of the grand staircase as a black fleet of armored SUVs lined the driveway. Men in slick suits stepped out, flanked by well-dressed women with tight smiles and sharper eyes. The Genova family.
Joan’s blood.
Vultures, Ariana thought. Smelling the power they’d been craving since Joan first sank her claws into Matteo.
She descended the stairs slowly, dressed in soft cream silk, deliberately understated — but her posture screamed defiance. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of showing fear.
Joan met her at the base of the stairs, belly flat under her champagne dress, but her hand still sat on it like she was protecting something precious. Something real.
Her voice was all honey and halo. “Ariana. You look radiant.”
“I wish I could say the same,” Ariana replied sweetly. “But lies cause bloating, don’t they?”
Joan’s smile twitched but held. “It’s a stressful time. Family means everything now.”
“Does it?” Ariana tilted her head. “Because you don’t seem like the kind who wants a family. Just a throne.”
Before Joan could respond, a tall, imposing man entered the hall. Mr. Genova. Her father. His eyes swept the room with the cold precision of a surgeon. Another man followed — Matteo.
Ariana’s breath caught. His jaw was locked, eyes dark, but he was dressed for diplomacy. Navy suit. Wedding ring nowhere in sight. Yet.
“Let’s sit,” Mr. Genova said. “We have much to discuss.”
⸻
The dining room had become a war room.
Mr. Genova sipped his wine like he was settling an empire contract, not forcing a marriage. “We raised our daughter with honor. She made a mistake — a very human one — but she’s carrying the child of your boss. Your… patriarch.”
Ariana sat at the far end of the table, lips pressed tight. Lucas was beside her, his hand brushing her knee under the table every time she tensed.
Matteo hadn’t looked at her once.
Joan dabbed her eyes with a napkin. “I never intended for this to happen. I thought Matteo and I were finished, but… well, fate had other plans.”
“I don’t want to force anything,” she continued, glancing at Matteo. “But the baby… he’ll need his father. And I won’t raise my child in shame or secrecy.”
There is no baby, Ariana wanted to scream.
“Your child won’t lack protection,” Matteo said carefully. “Whether or not we marry.”
“But protection isn’t the same as love,” Joan said. “And you’ve always been a man who believes in doing what’s right, haven’t you?”
That hit a nerve. Ariana saw it.
Matteo straightened, jaw flexing. “I will take responsibility. You have my word.”
Mr. Genova smiled coldly. “Then we’re in agreement.”
It was happening. Ariana could feel it tightening around her chest — the noose Joan had been spinning for weeks. She didn’t want a father for her child. She wanted power. Position. Matteo.
And now she was getting it.
“Wait,” Ariana said suddenly, rising to her feet. “No.”
Every head turned toward her.
“I won’t let this happen.”
Lucas touched her wrist, but she pulled away.
“This isn’t real,” Ariana said, voice trembling with fury. “This baby — this whole setup — it’s a lie. A scheme. Joan doesn’t want a marriage. She wants control. And you’re all just letting it happen.”
Matteo finally looked at her. His face gave nothing away.
Joan stood slowly, like a grieving widow. “Ariana, I understand this is hard for you. But sometimes, we don’t get to choose who people love.”
“I know,” Ariana snapped. “Because the man I love keeps letting a monster pretend to carry his child.”
Mr. Genova stood. “This isn’t your decision.”
Ariana stepped forward, eyes locked on Matteo. “Then tell them. Tell them it’s not what you want.”
He didn’t move.
Silence crashed into the room like a bullet.
Joan exhaled softly, hands on her belly again. “I don’t want to be a burden. But if Matteo agrees… then I’ll accept the marriage.”
Matteo opened his mouth—
And Ariana beat him to it.
“Then I’ll never forgive you,” she said. “And I’ll never stay under this roof if you make her your wife.”
The air shattered.
Everyone froze.
Matteo’s eyes finally flickered — rage, pain, guilt. But he said nothing.
Ariana turned and walked out, her footsteps echoing behind her like gunfire.
- Writer
