Chapter 4 The Price of Her Freedom

Sienna stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom, staring at her reflection. The dress her mother had forced onto her was elegant-an off-shoulder satin gown in a deep shade of midnight blue, hugging her curves just right. It was beautiful, yet it felt suffocating, like a velvet noose tightening around her throat.

Tonight was the official engagement dinner. A grand affair meant to parade her and Leonel in front of society, a public declaration that their families were sealing an alliance through them.

She clenched her jaw.

It was a masquerade, nothing more.

A soft knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she said, adjusting her diamond earrings.

The door opened, and her best friend, Elise, stepped in, looking equally glamorous in a wine-colored dress. But instead of admiration, Elise's expression was filled with worry.

"Sienna," she began hesitantly, closing the door behind her, "are you really going through with this?"

Sienna let out a dry laugh. "Do I have a choice?"

Elise exhaled sharply. "I hate this. I hate that they're doing this to you. And I hate that he just went along with it."

Sienna turned back to the mirror, her lips pressing into a thin line. "He doesn't care, Elise. This is just another business deal to him."

"But you're not a business deal. You're a person. You deserve more than this."

Sienna's fingers curled into fists.

More.

She used to believe in more. In love, in freedom, in choosing her own future. But she had long since realized that in a world like hers, those things were just illusions.

She met Elise's gaze in the mirror. "It doesn't matter what I deserve. What matters is surviving this without losing everything."

Elise opened her mouth as if to argue, but before she could, another knock came-this one firmer.

The door opened, and a familiar figure stepped in.

Leonel.

Sienna turned to face him, and for a moment, she was struck by how effortlessly composed he looked. Dressed in a tailored black suit, his broad shoulders and sharp features made him the epitome of power and control.

But it was his eyes that unsettled her the most.

Cold. Detached.

Like he was already bored of this entire charade.

"Sienna," he greeted, his voice smooth yet devoid of warmth. His gaze flickered briefly to Elise before returning to her. "Your parents are expecting us downstairs."

Sienna lifted her chin, masking her emotions behind an icy facade. "Right. Wouldn't want to keep them waiting."

Elise shot Leonel a glare before squeezing Sienna's hand. "I'll be right behind you."

With that, Sienna stepped past her best friend, falling into step beside Leonel as they walked toward the grand staircase.

The air between them was thick with unspoken words, but neither made an effort to break the silence.

As they descended, the chatter in the hall below began to quiet. The moment they stepped onto the main floor, all eyes turned to them.

She felt the weight of dozens of stares-some envious, some judgmental, others curious. It made her skin crawl.

Leonel, on the other hand, remained unbothered, his expression unreadable as he led her forward.

Her father stood at the center of the room, a glass of champagne in hand. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, his voice carrying over the crowd, "tonight, we celebrate the union of two great families. My daughter, Sienna Calloway, and Leonel Aldric."

Polite applause filled the room.

Sienna forced a smile as her father gestured for her to stand beside him.

Leonel took his place at her side, placing a hand lightly on the small of her back-a calculated move, meant to appear affectionate to their audience.

She resisted the urge to pull away.

"This engagement marks the beginning of a powerful partnership," her father continued. "And I, for one, cannot think of a better match."

Lies.

Sienna swallowed down the bitter taste in her mouth as her father raised his glass.

"To Sienna and Leonel!"

The guests echoed the toast, raising their own glasses before taking measured sips.

Leonel leaned down slightly, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

"Smile," he murmured. "You're being watched."

Sienna turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze with defiance. "Don't tell me what to do."

His lips barely twitched. "Then keep scowling. But it'll make this harder for you."

Her fingers curled against her dress, but she forced a practiced, elegant smile onto her lips.

This was a game.

And she refused to lose.