Chapter 4 4

NOLAN'S POV

Walking into the house I saw my mother and her assistants preparing for dinner tonight. It all felt surreal. The reason why parents were going to such lengths for this arrangement was absurd. I shook my head as I caught a glimpse of my mother, orchestrating everything with her usual precision. She was a perfectionist through and through.

"Hello, Mother," I said, leaning in to plant a kiss on her forehead.

She looked up with her beautiful smile. "My love, I take it you're in a better mood than yesterday?" she asked with a playful wiggle of her brows, her teasing making me chuckle. It amazed me how she and Father worked as a pair. They are polar opposites. Mother was gentle and fun, while Father was strict and stoic, except when he was around her. Their dynamic was enviable in many ways.

"Not exactly. Seeing you prepare for this dinner makes it painfully real that there's no way out of this for me," I said, sinking into the chair next to her.

Her expression softened as she reached out to hold my hand. "I promise you, this arrangement isn't as horrible as you think. I've met Anastasia, she's a beautiful and strong young lady."

"Anastasia?" I repeated, my brows knitting together. The name was unusual but undeniably elegant.

Mother tilted her head. "Your father never mentioned her name?"

"Of course not," I said, rolling my eyes. "He didn't bother with details when he was busy forcing his decisions down my throat?"

"Well, her name is Anastasia Ivanov, and she's stunning. Trust me, the two of you would make a striking couple," she said, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

It stung a bit to see her this eager to embrace a daughter-in-law under such disappointing circumstances. "I'll leave you to this... whatever this is," I said, gesturing at the table arrangements she was overseeing.

"Oh, please. We need to make a good first impression!" she insisted, waving me off as she continued her preparations.

"If you say so," I muttered, walking toward my father's study.

Halfway to Father's study, I heard a familiar voice from down the hallway. "How's the husband-to-be holding up?"

I looked up to see Aurora, my youngest sister, smirking as she approached. Of course, she'd tease me about this.

"Ah, I take it you've heard the news," I said, leaning against the doorframe with a lazy smile.

"News? I think you mean your demise?" she quipped, crossing her arms.

"Better kiss your freedom goodbye. No more late-night outings, and don't expect to drop by at my house unannounced anymore"

I ruffled her hair with a chuckle. "Did you team up with Dad to ambush me like this? First, I get saddled with a stranger for a wife, and now I lose my best gaming buddy. Damn"

She grinned smugly. "Sorry to break it to you buddy, but I'm moving into my place soon. Dad signed off the lease last week. You're on your own."

"Traitor," I muttered with a laugh. "Anyway, I have a score to settle with him, so I'll see you later."

"Hey," she called as I walked away. "I know it's all strange, but maybe keep an open mind? If Mother's okay with her, she's probably not so bad."

I paused and nodded faintly. "We'll see."

Sliding off my suit jacket, I stepped into my father's study. As expected, he was buried in his paperwork, his attention firmly fixed on the documents spread across his desk. It wasn't until I cleared my throat that he glanced up.

"Nolan. Did you come bearing good news, or you just want to ruin my night before it starts?" he said, setting his pen down.

"I'm here for answers," I said firmly, crossing my arms. "Why this sudden insistence on marriage? What aren't you telling me?"

His expression hardened. "There's nothing to explain. This is what's best for you-and for the family."

"For the family," I repeated mockingly, my voice rising. "That's all you've been saying, but it doesn't explain why I have to pay the price! What's the real reason?! Is this some business merger disguised as a fucking marriage?"

I saw his jaw tighten and irritation flickered across his face. "Watch your tone Nolan! This isn't just about business-it's about stability. Legacy. Things you clearly don't understand!"

"Legacy and stability?!" I scoffed, pacing the room. "You're talking in circles. Why can't you just admit it? You don't care about what I want-you just want control! Does Mother even know the full story?"

"She knows enough," he said coolly, rising to his feet. "I don't have to justify my decisions to you."

"But you expect me to sacrifice my future without question? To marry someone I've never even met, just because it suits you?" I pressed, my voice trembling with frustration.

"Enough!" he barked, his tone final. "You will do as you're told. This isn't a discussion!"

I stared at him, my fists clenched at my sides. The silence between us was deafening as the weight of unspoken truths hung in the air. Finally, I turned on my heel, storming out of the study before I said something I couldn't take back.

The moment I stepped out of the study, I didn't stop to look at anyone. My feet carried me instinctively to the back of the house, where the air was cooler and the world seemed quieter. I needed a moment to breathe-or at least to pretend I could.

Reaching the edge of the stone patio, I fished a cigarette from my pocket, lighting it with shaking fingers. I took a deep drag, letting the smoke curl out of my mouth slowly as if that could somehow slow the storm that's raging inside me.

This was it. My life, my choices, my freedom-I could feel it all slipping through my fingers. One goddamned dinner, one name I'd never even heard before yesterday, and everything was about to change. Anastasia Ivanov. The name felt foreign on my tongue, and yet it was about to be branded into my life like a fucking cattle mark.

I took another drag, my jaw clenching as my thoughts spiraled. Every part of me wanted to fight this-to stand my ground and tell my father to shove his plans where the sun doesn't shine. But what would that achieve? He'd already made up his mind. This wasn't a negotiation; it was an ultimatum.

And the worst part? I was furious-not just at him, but at myself. Furious that I couldn't seem to break free from his control. Furious that I somehow still cared about what he thought, that I still wanted his approval, despite him ruining my life.

I sighed in frustration as I crushed the cigarette under my shoe, grinding it into the stone as if that small act of rebellion could release the tension in my chest. It didn't. I wanted to smash something. But instead, I stood there in silence, my fists clenched and my chest heaving heavily.

The faint hum of engines pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. I looked up and saw the headlights cutting through the darkness, bouncing off the long driveway that led to the house. One, two, three cars...maybe more. They were here.

Perfect. Let the circus begin.

I adjusted the collar of my shirt, my jaw tightening as I stepped out of the shadows and made my way to the front porch where the family was assembling. From where I stood, I had a clear view of my parents. They were in their element, shaking hands and exchanging warm greetings.

I stayed at the sidelines, my hands tucked into my pockets as I watched my father, ever the diplomat, wear his mask of control effortlessly. Mother, on the other hand, brought a natural warmth to the scene.

"Oh Anastasia, lovely to see you again" Mother said as she hugged a young lady who moved with a quiet confidence, her posture perfect and head held high. She was dressed in a sleek black gown that clung to her frame like a second skin, the soft material catching the dim light of the porch. Her long, dark hair was pulled back, revealing a striking face with sharp cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass.

But it was her eyes that stopped me cold. They were like nothing I'd ever seen before-a rare mix of green and gold that shimmered under the soft glow of the chandelier. They caught the light just right, shifting like molten metal, drawing attention whether she wanted it or not. For a moment, I couldn't look away.

And then it hit me.The dimly lit backroom. The low, pulsing bass of the club. Her loud moans as two men pleased her.

She was the woman from the club!