Alina felt the air thicken between them. Her heart pounded, torn between confusion and a growing sense of betrayal.
Evander didn't look at her. Instead, he ran a hand through his hair and muttered, "It's nothing. Just... let it go."
Let it go?
The silence was heavy until the woman finally spoke, her voice like a blade cutting through the fragile quiet.
"I didn't come here to waste time with niceties," she said, her tone clipped and unyielding. "I came because it's time you understand what lies ahead for you."
Alina's heart slammed painfully against her ribs. "What do you mean?"
Her stepmother took a slow, deliberate step forward, her gaze never wavering. "It's time you accepted the truth: your marriage has been arranged."
Alina blinked, disbelief and shock swirling in her chest. "You mean... you want to marry me off?"
The woman's lips curled into a cruel, tight smile. "This isn't a matter of want. It's a matter of duty and necessity. Your father and I have decided. There is no room for your hesitation or refusal."
A wave of anger and panic crashed over Alina. "And what if I say no? What if I refuse?"
Her stepmother's eyes flashed dangerously, the smile fading into a cold sneer. "You won't refuse. Not when family honor and reputation are at stake. You will do as you're told."
Evander stood silent but tense in the corner of the room. His jaw clenched tightly, fingers curling into fists at his sides. Every word pierced him, every threat made his chest tighten as a surge of jealousy, possessiveness, and protectiveness roared inside him.
"Enough," Evander's voice broke through the tense air, low and sharp. He stepped forward, standing close to Alina, shielding her with his presence. "There is no need to speak to her this way."
The stepmother's cold eyes flicked to him, her lips tightening into a disdainful line. "And who might you be to dictate how I speak to my stepdaughter? You're merely a guest here."
Evander's tone darkened but held steady. "I am someone who cares deeply about her. And I won't allow anyone to threaten her freedom or happiness."
Her lips twisted into a mocking smile. "You have no say in this. You're not family. This is none of your concern."
Evander's eyes flashed dangerously. "I may not be family by blood, but I'm family by choice. By heart. And I will protect her with everything I have."
The stepmother's gaze sharpened, venom in her voice. "You don't understand the consequences of defiance. This marriage is not about feelings. It's about what must be done."
When her words turned harsh, scolding Alina for being stubborn and naïve, Evander's patience snapped.
"Stop it," he said quietly but with steel beneath his voice. "Don't speak to her like that."
The stepmother's eyes blazed. "And who's going to stop me? You?"
Evander's voice was a quiet growl. "Yes. I will."
A heavy silence fell, charged with tension and unspoken threats. Alina felt her heart pounding wildly, but her gaze never left Evander's steady, protective presence.
"You're being childish, Alina," the stepmother said, voice cutting like ice. "You need to accept reality."
Alina's fists clenched at her sides, but Evander reached out, resting a calming hand on her shoulder. His gaze locked onto the stepmother's, warning and fierce.
"This isn't solving anything," Evander said firmly, stepping between them with authority. "If you want to discuss this, then let's do it properly — calmly, respectfully, somewhere private."
The stepmother narrowed her eyes, lips pressed tightly. After a long moment, she gave a reluctant nod. "Very well. But don't think this ends here."
Evander's voice softened slightly as he turned to Alina. "You don't have to face this alone. I'll handle it."
Gently, he took her hand and led her away, her heart heavy but soothed by his strength.
---
The café was almost empty, dim lights flickering against the marble floors. Evander sat at the farthest corner, away from curious eyes, his gaze cold and calculated. He drummed his fingers lightly on the wooden table, eyes fixed on the entrance.
Five minutes later, Alina's stepmother walked in, dressed in her usual designer clothes, sunglasses still on despite the fading sunlight. She scanned the room, spotted him, and walked over with a smirk playing on her lips.
"You called for a private meeting," she said, sliding into the seat across from him. "How dramatic of you."
Evander didn't smile. His voice was quiet, but razor-sharp. "I wanted to speak without Alina hearing any of the filth you spit."
She chuckled, feigning innocence. "You're very protective. But let's not pretend you're some noble knight. You know how the world works."
"I do," he said calmly. "And that's exactly why I'm here."
He pulled out an envelope from his coat pocket and tossed it on the table. It landed with a soft thud—thick with crisp currency notes. "This is just a taste of what you'll get if you back off. You stop interfering in her life. No more marriage proposals. No more threats. No more 'arrangements.'"
Her eyebrows rose in amusement, fingers leisurely running over the envelope. "You think you can buy me?"
"I know I can," he said bluntly. "Because money is all you've ever cared about."
Her face hardened for a moment, but then she gave a slow, fake smile. "You've done your homework, haven't you?"
"I know enough," he replied. "You were a business partner with her father. Took more than your share of the profits. And now you want to sell Alina like she's some pawn for your next financial climb."
"You're wrong," she said, lips tightening. "It's not just me. Her father wants her married soon. He's growing impatient. She's twenty now and still a burden in his eyes."
Evander's fingers stilled. His jaw clenched.
She leaned forward, enjoying the power she thought she held. "I can't stop him. If I don't act fast, he'll arrange something worse than what I had in mind. And once it's done, no knight in shining armor will be able to rescue her."
Evander didn't respond immediately. He sat back, a storm brewing in his eyes. Then, slowly, he reached into his wallet and pulled out a second envelope—thicker, heavier, and slid it across the table.
"I'll do it," he said.
She blinked, confused. "Do what?"
"Marry her."
Her eyes widened.
He leaned in, voice deadly calm. "You want money. You want security. Fine. Set the match—with me. But don't you dare fix her with someone else. Don't parade her around like an object. I'll give you whatever amount you ask for. But in return—shut your mouth. Not a word to her, not a whisper to anyone."
The woman stared at him, caught off-guard for the first time. "Why would you want to marry her?"
Evander's voice dropped even lower. "Because I'd rather burn everything to the ground than watch her be forced into a cage. I'm doing this to protect her. From wolves like you."
The stepmother tilted her head, studying him. "You're willing to buy her freedom?"
"No," he said coldly. "I'm earning it. Because she's not just a girl to me. She's mine."
A slow, greedy smile curved her lips. "Well... if you're serious, I could make a few calls. Her father might resist a bit, but with this kind of money... he'll listen."
"Do whatever you need," Evander said. "But make sure the paperwork is clean. No drama, no scandals, no sudden visitors from your side stirring trouble."
"And Alina?" she asked. "What if she resists?"
He smiled, for the first time—a dark, dangerous smile. "She won't. I'll handle her. But I won't let her suffer because of your schemes. Ever."
The woman tapped her fingers on the envelope thoughtfully. "You're quite the businessman."
"And you're just another greedy parasite," he said, standing up. "Just remember—this deal is sealed only if you do as I say. Betray it, and you'll lose more than just money."
He didn't wait for her response. He walked out of the café, heart heavy but determined. He hadn't wanted it this way—not a transaction, not under pressure. But she needed protection. And if marrying her was the only way to shield her, then he'd do it.
Not out of pity.
But out of love.
Out of an aching, consuming need to keep her safe—even if it meant becoming part of the very system he loathed.