Chapter 4

Mia’s face hardened instantly. “Julian? Which Julian, Father?” His knowing look made her stomach drop.

Julian Thorne? The only son of one of her dad’s biggest business friends. A guy she absolutely hated. A spoiled, arrogant jerk with a bad reputation for being wild and a rumored drug problem. He was rude, immature, and everything she thought was beneath her.

“Marry Julian?” she repeated, her voice full of disgust. “Are you for real father?”

Samuel looked like he was begging. “Mia, please. Be practical. Julian’s father, Robert Thorne, is one of our most important partners. If our families joined together, that partnership would be solid for years. It would give us so much stability and help.”

“Stability at the cost of me being miserable?” Mia scoffed. “You can’t be serious. That guy is a disgrace. He’s disrespectful, has no manners, and frankly, Father, everyone knows he’s a mess.”

“He’s young, Mia,” Samuel argued, his voice strained. “He’ll settle down once he’s married. And his father has so much power. This isn’t about who you like; it’s about smart business.”

“Smart business?” Mia’s voice got louder. “You’re willing to sell off your own daughter to chain her to some loser just to make a business deal? After you just told me I wasn’t fit to run the company because I’m a woman, you want to hand me over like some… thing?”

Samuel’s face went red with anger. “Don’t be dramatic, Mia. Julian comes from a powerful family. This is a smart move, a strong connection.”

“Smart for who, Father? For you and your money? What about my happiness? My life?”

“Your happiness will come from knowing you’ve secured your future and the future of this family,” Samuel said firmly, not wanting to argue. “This is the best way, Mia. It will solve so many problems.”

Mia stared at her father, finally understanding his plan. He wasn’t just replacing her with Ethan; he was trying to control everything about her life, even who she married, all for his business and his fight with Jeremiah Sterling.

A cold anger started to burn inside her. He wanted her to marry a man she hated? He wanted to tell her what to do with her life? Then she would take control in a way he’d never see coming. She wouldn’t marry Julian Thorne.

She doesn't know what she wants to do now but, she was sure of one thing.

Her father wouldn't be able to manipulate her anymore.

Her life, her rule.

"Even if you place a knife to my throat, I'd never marry Julian " she spat with all the anger she's been holding all through the night before walking out of her dad's office.

.....

She sat in her car, gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her father's words still rang in her ears, each syllable stoking the fire of her fury.

“You’ll marry Julian Thorne,” he had declared with the finality of a dictator’s edict. “This is what’s best for the family.”

Mia clenched her fists at the memory. Julian Thorne was nothing more than a spineless puppet, a man who would fold under her father’s thumb. The idea of chaining herself to him, of playing her father’s pawn, filled her with a rage that threatened to consume her.

She couldn't bear the thought of spending the night in that house, not today, not with him.

And certainly not with Ethan. The illegitimate child who had stolen what was rightfully hers.

The road blurred as she drove, her mind racing faster than the car. The chaos outside mirrored the storm within her. Mia gripped the steering wheel so tightly her hands ached, her breath quick and uneven. She had no destination in mind, she just needed to move. But when the towering silhouette of Stefan Sterling's tall, dark building stood in front of her, looking expensive and powerful against the city lights, it felt like fate.

She pulled up to the gates, her pulse racing. Thirty minutes ago, this idea wouldn’t have even crossed her mind. But now, as she faced the imposing barriers of her father’s most powerful rival, the weight of her decision hit her. This was reckless, seeking out Stefan Sterling, a man known for his dangerous unpredictability. Yet, he was everything she wanted: rebellion, power, freedom.

The guards gave her cautious looks, their hands hovering near concealed weapons. She stated her name, fully expecting rejection, but after tense exchanges into earpieces, the gates opened with a low hum that echoed in her chest.

The lobby surprised her, not the shady lair she’d imagined, but polished and quiet, a display of understated luxury. A sharply dressed man led her to an elevator, the ride up eerily silent. Mia’s heart pounded, but her resolve held firm. She was here for a reason, and nothing would stop her.

When the elevator doors slid open, she stepped into an office that exuded power. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering city below, while a single mahogany desk commanded attention at the center. Behind it sat Stefan Sterling, his sharp gaze locking on her the moment she entered.

He didn’t stand or offer a polite smile. The silence stretched, heavy and unnerving, until he finally spoke. “Miss Meyers,” he said, his voice smooth but edged with steel. “To what do I owe the pleasure? Shouldn’t you be at home, toasting your new brother?” His sarcasm hit like a whip.

Mia stepped forward, holding her ground. “I’m not here for pleasantries, Mr. Sterling,” she said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

A flicker of amusement crossed his otherwise unreadable face. “Then do tell,” he replied, leaning back slightly. “What brings the Meyers heiress to my office?”

Her answer came without hesitation. “Let’s get married.” The words left her mouth before she could second-guess them. Her hands trembled slightly, but her face betrayed none of the turmoil swirling inside her.

Chapter 5

His brows lifted, just slightly, as he regarded her with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. “And why would I do that?” His voice was calm, low, dangerous.

Mia wouldn't let him scare her. When she decided to do something, she did it. "We both have one thing in common." She looked at him, noticing how he seemed to pretend he wasn't interested, looking away a little. But she knew he was listening. That was enough for now. "Shitty fathers. We both know our fathers are only interested in taking what’s ours and giving to who they think deserves it." Mia continues, her gaze unwavering. " We’ve both been betrayed by them ." That seemed to get his attention. His dark eyes looked back at her, sharper now.

"The only difference between us is that you're an illegitimate child, and I'm not." The words hung in the air, a clear jab, reminding him they came from different places, and maybe a little bit of a challenge.

Stefan looked at her, really looked at her. Mia Meyers. The woman everyone knew was beautiful and smart. She had worked so hard to prove she deserved her dad's company. He had seen her last night at the party, it was broadcasted life. The fake smile on her face when her dad said that embarrassing thing. He had seen the anger in her eyes, like a fire that could burn everything.

They both had fathers who cared more about what they wanted than about their kids. But marrying her just for that wasn't enough. Not even close.

"That's your solution? A wedding band as a weapon?" He said ignoring the part where she just referred to him as an illegitimate child.

Mia didn’t falter, instead she leaned forward slightly, making sure he couldn’t look away. “They think they can dictate our lives. But together, we could build something that no one, not even them, could destroy.”

His eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze now fully focused on her. “An alliance, then,” he said, almost to himself. “But let’s be clear, Miss Meyers. What you’re asking is, for me to fight your battles.”

She smirked, a flicker of defiance lighting her features. “I’m not asking you to do anything. I’m offering you a partnership. An empire they’ll never see coming. We join forces, create our own empire that'll bring down theirs."

Stefan leaned forward, the edge of a smirk playing on his lips, though his voice carried the weight of finality. "One condition" he said, his tone low and deliberate. "If either of us dares to speak of divorce, they lose everything. The company, the assets, the empire, gone. No compromises, no negotiations. We burn it all to the ground."

Mia blinked, the impact of his words hanging heavy in the air. For a moment, Stefan thought she might falter, that her confidence might crack. But she didn’t. Instead, she straightened her posture and nodded, her expression resolute.

“Fine,” she said, her voice steady. “No divorces. No exits. I’m all in.” Her father wants to destroy her life. She wouldn't give him the pleasure, she would destroy her life as she seems fit.

Still, Stefan held her gaze, searching for even the smallest hint of hesitation. There was none. Before he could say anything further, she tilted her chin slightly, as though gearing up for her own demand.

“But I have a condition of my own,” she added, her tone firm yet measured. “I want a wedding that’ll be remembered for years. Something grand. The kind of event that will have reporters camped outside for days and leave everyone whispering.”

His smirk grew wider, a flicker of amusement sparking in his dark eyes. “A grand display of rebellion?”

“Exactly,” Mia replied, her determination sparking to life again. “But it’ll take weeks to organize the wedding I have in mind. So tomorrow, we register the marriage, make it official. Then we take our time crafting the perfect show.” She paused, a defiant edge to her words. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right.”

For a moment, Stefan didn’t respond. He simply studied her, his silence as sharp as his smirk. “Practical,” he finally said. “You get your spectacle, and I get…” He trailed off, letting the ambiguity of his sentence hang in the air. “Fine. Tomorrow, we register. But the rest? That’s on you.”

Mia’s expression softened, just barely. “That’s all I need.”

She took a step closer, locking eyes with him. “And since we’re tying the knot tomorrow,” she continued, her voice casual but calculated, “I think it’s only right that I stay here tonight.”

Stefan raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not entirely surprised. “You’re insisting on sleepovers already? Bold.”

“Not bold. Logical,” Mia countered smoothly. “If we’re going to sell this story, we might as well commit to it from the start. Give me a spare room. I’m not asking for your bed.”

His lips twitched, as though holding back a laugh. “Good. I don’t share.”

She ignored his remark, a faint smile creeping onto her face. “I can’t wait to imagine the looks on their faces when they read the headlines tomorrow. Our fathers won’t know what hit them. And the press? I’ll give them exactly what they’re hungry for.”

Stefan’s gaze lingered on her, assessing the fire in her eyes. He wasn’t sure if it was the audacity of her plan or the determination in her tone, but for the first time in years, he felt genuinely intrigued.

“Follow me,” he said finally, standing from his chair and motioning toward the door. His movements were unhurried but purposeful. “Let’s make sure your accommodations meet your standards, Princess.”

Mia raised an eyebrow at the nickname but didn’t respond. She followed him through the quiet halls, her mind racing with the possibilities ahead. The game was already in motion, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like she was playing to win.

Stefan, walking just ahead of her, let a small, private smirk tug at the corners of his mouth. She wanted rebellion, power, and spectacle. Fine. She’d get it. But he wasn’t blind, Mia Meyers was a wildcard, the kind that could either take a plan to new heights or bring it crashing down. Either way, it was going to be one hell of a show.