Chapter 6

I stared at that last sentence for a very long time.

The black ink looked ordinary, yet it felt like handcuffs already locked around both of my wrists.

Non-cancelable.

I closed the folder slowly. My chest felt tight. My hand almost reached for the pen that had been placed on the bedside table, but I stopped.

No.

I could not sign this tonight because I was not foolish. If I signed it, my life would truly be over.

I put the folder back on the table. I took a deep breath and hugged my knees on the large bed. This room was far too luxurious for me.

That night, I did not sleep.

I only stared at the high ceiling of the room while thinking about one thing. I had to ask again.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the large window. I was still wearing last night’s clothes because I had not truly slept.

At exactly eight o’clock, a servant knocked on the door.

“Miss Lucia, Mr. Alexandro is waiting for you for breakfast.”

I swallowed.

All right. This was my chance.

I walked down to the dining room with slow steps. The room was long, with a large wooden table and tall chairs neatly arranged. At the end of the table, he was already seated.

Alexandro De Luca.

He was wearing a dark gray casual suit. His hair was neatly styled. His face was just as cold as it had been last night.

In his hand was a cup of black coffee.

He drank it calmly without even glancing at me.

I stood there for a few seconds before finally sitting in a chair quite far from him. A servant placed breakfast in front of me, but I did not touch it.

He still did not look at me.

As if I were merely part of the room’s decoration.

Annoyance began to creep into my chest.

I might have no power in this house, but I was not a statue.

“I haven’t signed the contract,” I finally said.

There was no reaction. He lifted his cup again and took a slow sip of coffee.

I clenched my fist under the table.

“I want to ask again.”

Silence.

At last, he spoke without turning his head.

“Asking will not change anything.”

His voice was flat and calm.

“I don’t care. This concerns my life.”

He set his cup down slowly on the table. The sound echoed clearly in the silent room, and then he lifted his face.

His gaze pierced straight into me.

“What do you want to know?”

I swallowed, but this time I did not lower my eyes.

“Why me?”

He stared at me for a long moment without blinking.

“I’m not the most beautiful, and you don’t even know me,” I said.

He leaned back in his chair.

“You think this is about beauty?”

“I know this is about my uncle’s debt. Then why not Elena? She could also be forced to become your wife,” I said.

“I don’t like women who are too confident,” Alexandro said.

“And I’m not?”

“You?” He looked at me from head to toe. “You’re trembling just standing there.”

I took a deep breath. “What if I refuse to sign?”

He picked up his napkin and wiped the corner of his lips with a casual movement.

“The wedding will still happen.”

He stood up slowly. His height made his shadow fall over part of my body.

I stood as well without realizing it.

“The contract says you’re free to be with any woman, but I’m not allowed to speak to another man. That’s very unfair,” I said.

He stared at me for a long time.

“This marriage is not about fairness.”

“Then what is it about?”

“Control.”

One word.

Simple.

Cruel.

I felt something inside me shift, no longer just fear. A small anger began to grow.

“I’m not a doll,” I said softly but clearly.

He stepped closer. The distance between us was now too close. I could smell the faint masculine scent from his body.

“You’d better stay quiet and follow my orders,” Alexandro said.

I lifted my chin, forcing myself to look at him without stepping back.

“My position is not beneath your feet.”

“You’re getting bold,” he said.

“I just don’t want to be treated like this,” I replied.

He was silent for a few seconds, then said, “Sign the contract.”

“Answer one more question.”

He did not respond immediately.

“What?”

“If this is only about control and debt, why don’t you look satisfied? Why do you keep watching me as if there’s something you’re searching for?” I asked.

The room seemed to tighten. For a fraction of a second, his expression changed. Very slight. Almost invisible. Then he returned to being cold.

“You think too much.”

“That’s not an answer.”

He stepped back.

“You will sign that contract today.”

“I won’t,” I answered.

He looked at me sharply.

“Don’t test my patience, Lucia.”

His voice was not raised, but it was enough to send a chill down my spine.

He turned around and walked out of the dining room without looking back.

I stood there alone, my hands trembling, no longer from fear but from frustration.

He did not look at me while drinking his coffee, but every time I fought back, his eyes changed.

I looked at his cup, still half full at the end of the table.

His words echoed in my mind.

All right.

If that was what he thought of me, perhaps it was time for him to learn that he was wrong.

I turned and walked back to my room.

The black folder was still lying on the table. I stared at it for a long time before sitting down.

My hand touched the pen.

My eyes fell on the clause that had made my chest tighten last night.

Feelings were not included in the agreement.

A faint smile curved my lips.

In that case...

He would never be ready to face what he could not control about me, and I began to arrange my own little plan.