And now he’s standing at an altar, watching me like I’m a stranger.
He doesn’t recognize me.
“Anna.” My father’s voice pulls me back. “We need to talk.”
“No.” I take a step back. “No. Whatever this is, no.”
My mother grabs my hand. “Please. Just listen.”
“Listen to what? You brought me to a wedding without telling me. Whose wedding is this?”
My father finally looks at me, and the expression on his face makes my stomach drop.
“Yours,” he says.
The word hits me like cold water.
“You’ve lost your mind.” I yank my hand free from my mother’s grip. “Both of you. I’m leaving.”
“Anna, wait.” My mother steps in front of me, blocking my path. Her eyes are red-rimmed, wet. “We don’t have a choice.”
“There’s always a choice.”
“Not this time.” My father moves beside her, his voice low and urgent. “The debt is too big. We’ve tried everything. This is the only way to save the company. To save all of us.”
I look past them at the man still standing by the altar. He hasn’t moved. Hasn’t spoken. Just watches with the kind of patience that makes my skin prickle.
“You’re selling me,” I say flatly.
“We’re securing your future.” My mother’s voice cracks. “And Mila’s and Alexei’s. He’s offering protection, Anna. Security. The twins will have access to everything they need. Education, safety, a real future.”
“They have a future with me.”
“Do they?” My father’s tone turns hard. “What future can you give them when we lose everything? When the creditors come for the house? When there’s nothing left?”
“You want me to marry a stranger to save your company.”
“To save our family,” my mother corrects. “The documents are already signed. The agreements are in place. If you walk away now, we lose everything. The house, the company, the accounts. Everything.”
I stare at her. At both of them. “You signed documents without telling me?”
“We had no choice,” my father says again.
“Stop saying that.” My voice rises, echoes in the high-ceilinged room. “You always have a choice. You just made the one that was easiest for you.”
The man at the altar finally speaks. “Your parents are correct. The agreements are finalized. You can refuse, of course. But the consequences will be immediate.”
His voice is the same as it was five years ago. Deep, smooth, with an edge that suggests he’s used to being obeyed. I remember that voice in my ear, telling me exactly what he wanted.
I force myself to look at him directly. “And if I refuse?”
“Kestrel Maritime will be liquidated by the end of the month. Your family’s assets will be seized to cover outstanding debts. Your parents will be left with nothing.” He pauses. “Your children will be left with nothing.”
“This is insane,” I say, but the fight is draining out of me. I can hear it in my own voice.
My mother steps closer, her hands reaching for mine again. “I know this isn’t what you wanted. I know it’s not fair. But he’s offering us a way out. A real way out. The twins will be protected. They’ll have resources, education, opportunities we can’t give them anymore.”
“I don’t even know him.”
