Dysis stared at the ring Alexander held, her chest tightening as the weight of his words sank in.
“You’re going to marry me,” he said, voice calm, deliberate—like he was stating an unavoidable fact rather than offering a choice.
Her stomach twisted.
She knew Alexander. Knew the way he operated. He wasn’t the kind of man to say things he didn’t mean. Which meant…
This was real.
Her breath came short. “You can’t be serious.”
He didn’t blink. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
Dysis forced a laugh, but it came out shaky. “You’re acting like this is the only option.”
“It is.”
Her nails dug into her palms. “Why? Why would you go this far?”
Alexander was silent for a moment, his grip tightening around the ring. “Because it’s the only way to protect you.”
Somethi
