Marriage by choice

Chapter 3

Caroline’s POV

The heavens were certainly on our side. It didn’t even take me a month, only a week, to find a suitable husband for Jael. It all happened at a get-together thrown by the Vinzenos, a celebration for the engagement of their grandson and heir to the Uno de Paris hotel. Naturally, my family, being in high society, received an invitation. The evening was rich with champagne, exquisite food, and idle conversation. The important part, though, wasn’t the grand ballroom or the string quartet—it was what I overheard in the underground parking garage, of all places.

I was wandering back to our car, eager to slip away from the artificial chatter, when I caught the unmistakable sound of an argument echoing from the shadows. I instantly recognized the voices. It was the Alexandras, one of the most powerful families in the city, known for their empire “Crystal Glitter,” the world's biggest luxury brand. My dad had always warned me to stay away from them—they were untouchable, so high up in society that even a pebble like me would barely graze their orbit.

Still, I couldn’t resist eavesdropping. Dad wouldn’t know, and if he didn’t know, it wouldn’t hurt him, right?

“Listen here, Mauritius.” An elderly voice, thick with a Russian accent, growled through the dimly lit garage. I shivered at its weight, recognizing it as Mateo Don Alexandra, the patriarch of the family. “You may have worked hard to be my heir, but I won’t watch you live this chaste, empty life. Even if you don’t want to get married, I’d have at least felt better if you played around or—God forbid—got someone pregnant!”

“Papa, you shouldn’t exert yourself over this.” Mauritius replied, his voice cool and calm, without a hint of emotion. I peered around a parked car and spotted him, tall and impeccably dressed in black, his face expressionless as if he were discussing nothing more consequential than the weather.

Mateo scoffed. “Then why are you making me exert myself? I’m not getting any younger, Mauritius. I refuse to leave this world with the only emotion my grandson has being… ruthless.”

The young man before him was unfazed. “I want to give you a perfect heir, someone you’ll be proud of even in your grave. I’m building an empire, Papa.”

His words, delivered so smoothly, sent a shiver through me. Mauritius didn’t flinch, didn’t raise his voice, just stood there like a fortress. He was as cold as an ice block in Iceland.

But Mateo’s voice trembled with frustration. “My little monster,” he said, a note of sadness creeping in, “I’m already proud of you. But if you think acting like a machine is what it takes to be my heir, you’re dead wrong!”

“Papa—” Mauritius began, but Mateo cut him off.

“Don’t ‘Papa’ me.” His grandfather’s voice was stern. “I’ve been friends with Patrick Vinzeno for years, and now, his grandson is engaged, taking on family responsibility. What about you? You don’t even have a girlfriend, let alone a wife!”

“There’s no need for—”

Mateo silenced him with a sharp look. “I don’t want a girlfriend for you, Mauritius. I want a wife. And if you don’t find someone by the end of the month, forget about being my heir.” With that, he turned on his heel and stormed away, leaving Mauritius alone in the silence of the garage.

I stifled a gasp as I watched him. The melodrama was almost cinematic. I half-expected a slap, like in all those family drama series. But instead, Mauritius just stood there, composed and unyielding, as if his grandfather’s words meant nothing to him.

And then, suddenly, that cold, commanding voice called out, “Come out.”

I froze, convinced he couldn’t possibly be talking to me. I was tucked so neatly behind the car, nearly invisible in the shadows. But his voice came again, sharper this time. “Don’t make me come and get you out, Caroline Martin.”

My heart leapt to my throat. How did he know my name?

With no other choice, I stepped out, trying to act nonchalant, like I had just been passing by. “Just an angel drifting through the parking garage,” I mumbled, attempting to play it off with a half-smile.

Mauritius completely ignored my words, his eyes narrowing. “I was just checking that you’re not a… chatterbox.” His tone was calm but so cold it felt like a blade. He advanced towards me, his gaze unwavering. His presence was so intense I could barely breathe.

I cleared my throat, trying to summon some courage. “Look, I didn’t mean to overhear. I was just—”

He cut me off again. “Your family has a fabric industry, doesn’t it?” He tilted his head slightly, his expression almost amused. “An industry that could be taken down rather easily, I’d imagine.”

Was he threatening me? Over eavesdropping?

“I’d suggest you control your… bad habits,” he said smoothly, as though discussing the color of the sky, then turned and began walking away, leaving me rooted to the spot, stunned and a little offended.

“Well, I wouldn’t be so rude to an angel if I were you,” I called after him, my bravado coming mostly from the fact that he was already a few steps away. He stopped, but didn’t turn back.

Good. I had his attention.

“I know someone who needs a marriage, urgently. She’s pregnant,” I blurted out, watching his shoulders tense slightly. “She’s willing to marry anyone who’ll have her and claim the child as their own.”

For a second, he seemed to pause. I could feel his mind calculating, weighing the options. But then, as if I’d said nothing, he simply kept walking, dismissing me entirely.

“Just thought it might solve both your problems!” I added loudly, a little exasperated now. I was trying to help him, after all. Hard bean! Why did he have to be so difficult?

Finally, he glanced back, his face unreadable. “Do you think I’m desperate?” he asked, his tone as icy as ever. “Or that I’d let a stranger dictate my future?”

I swallowed hard, feeling a flicker of doubt but pressing on. “Not at all,” I replied, forcing my voice to remain steady. “But if you’re going to lose your inheritance for the lack of a wife, I’d think you’d at least consider the option. Marry her, protect your position, and then… go back to your life however you want.”

He was silent, watching me with those cold, calculating eyes, and I had the feeling he was sizing me up, analyzing me from head to toe. Then, a small, almost imperceptible smile curved his lips. “Interesting proposal,” he said quietly.

I nearly sighed in relief, feeling like I’d cracked a tiny piece of the ice around him.

“Tell me more about this… girl of yours,” he said, as if it were purely a business transaction. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Figures.

I nodded eagerly, feeling a rush of hope. “Her name is Jael. She’s kind, loyal, from a respectable family. She’s not looking for love—just stability for her child and her family’s honor. And she has no intention of meddling in your life, except to keep up appearances.”

He seemed to consider this, his gaze hard and unreadable. Then, with a small nod, he said, “Arrange a meeting. If she’s agreeable, I’ll consider it.”

With that, he turned and strode away, his figure fading into the shadows. I let out a long breath, heart pounding, but a grin spreading across my face.

I’d done it. Jael had a chance, and Mauritius might just have the solution to both their problems. It was crazy, reckless, and completely unorthodox, but I had a feeling that this was going to work.

And I couldn’t wait to see how it all played out.