CHAPTER 7

The scent of vanilla, warm bread, and melting chocolate filled the air, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. But despite the cozy atmosphere of the little pastry shop, the tension crackling between us was enough to make the air feel suffocating.

Elizabeth’s wide, bewildered eyes bounced between Heinrich and me, her brows furrowed in disbelief. The cheerful buzz of conversation from other patrons, the soft hum of jazz playing from the speakers, and even the clinking of coffee cups faded into the background.

“Okay, are you going to tell me what he is talking about?” Elizabeth finally demanded, her voice sharp as she sat back with crossed arms.

My mouth felt dry, and I struggled to find the right words.

“Look, Liz… it's complicated.”

She scoffed. “No, it's simple. We are getting married in less than three weeks.” Heinrich’s deep, smooth voice cut through my hesitation like a knife, his tone almost playful, as if he was enjoying my discomfort.

I shot him a sharp glare. Could he not just let me handle this?

Elizabeth’s face paled. She turned to me, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup. “Is he telling the truth?”

I swallowed hard. “I… I’m sorry, Liz. I wanted to tell you.”

She let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, really? Were you really going to tell me? Because not even ten minutes ago, you were talking about how you'd never date a man like him! Was I supposed to hear about this from some random rumor? That my best friend—who I’ve known for years—is marrying one of the most feared men in this city?”

Her words hit me harder than I expected. Guilt settled in my stomach like a rock.

I opened my mouth to explain, but I hesitated. What could I say to make this better?

Elizabeth didn’t wait for my response. She pushed her chair back abruptly, as if she was about to storm out. “I can’t believe this.”

“Okay, this is my cue to leave,” Heinrich announced, stretching as if this was nothing more than a casual inconvenience to him.

I turned to him, eyes blazing. “You can’t just stir things up and then leave, Heinrich.”

Before I could say more, Elizabeth’s voice cut through. “Sit down, Mr. Volkov.”

Her sharp tone had even Heinrich raising an amused brow. I had to admit, seeing her challenge him was surprising. Not many people had the guts to do that.

“This is my best friend we’re talking about, and she’s marrying you. So, you’re staying, and I’m getting the full story.”

To my shock, Heinrich chuckled. With a smirk, he leaned back in his chair. “I like you,” he mused, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “You’ve got fire.”

Elizabeth scowled. “I don’t give a damn what you think. Talk.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. There was no way out of this.

“Uhm… well, the thing is, after my mom passed away, she didn’t leave much behind for me.” My voice wavered, and Elizabeth’s gaze immediately softened. “The little savings I had weren’t going to last long, and I had nowhere else to go. So, I turned to my uncle.”

Elizabeth nodded, urging me to continue.

“But he told me straight up that he couldn’t afford to take care of me.” The words tasted bitter in my mouth. “He said he already had his own family to support.”

Elizabeth’s lips parted in shock. “Are you serious? He just—just threw you away like that?”

I laughed humorlessly. “Pretty much. And then, he told me that there was one solution.”

Elizabeth’s brows furrowed.

I exhaled deeply. “Marriage. He said that I had to get married. And miraculously, Heinrich had agreed to it.”

Elizabeth gawked at me. “Oh my God… your uncle is the worst. And of all people, why him?”

She jabbed a finger at Heinrich, who merely smirked.

“Because of his business,” I admitted. “My uncle wants to expand his business, and Heinrich was… convenient.”

Elizabeth’s expression darkened with fury. “That’s disgusting. He basically sold you off like a business deal?”

I didn’t respond, but my silence was enough of an answer.

Elizabeth turned her fiery glare to Heinrich. “And you. Why the hell did you agree to this? There are plenty of women who would throw themselves at you. Why did it have to be Mariane?”

Heinrich’s lips curled in that signature smirk. “Because I wanted to.”

Elizabeth scoffed. “That’s it? That’s your whole reason?”

“Yes.” His voice was calm, almost bored.

Elizabeth threw up her hands. “You are such an asshole.”

Heinrich didn’t even flinch. He just leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. “I’ve been called worse.”

She scowled. “You’re impossible.”

Then she turned back to me, her gaze softening. “Mariane… you don’t have to do this. You know that, right?”

I bit my lip. “Liz, I don’t exactly have a choice.”

She shook her head. “No. There’s always a choice.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Not for me.”

Her eyes searched mine, looking for something—some sign that I wasn’t being completely serious. But I was.

Elizabeth reached out and took my hand, squeezing it tightly. “You could’ve come to me.”

I smiled, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “And lived where? Liz, your apartment is barely big enough for you. You’re already working yourself to the bone just to survive. I couldn’t do that to you.”

Her lips pressed together, frustration clear on her face. “Still. I hate that you’re being forced into this.”

I exhaled slowly. “It’s fine. I’ll survive.”

Elizabeth turned back to Heinrich, glaring at him like she was debating whether or not to throw her coffee at his face. “And you. What are you getting out of this?”

Heinrich chuckled, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement. “That’s none of your concern.”

Elizabeth’s jaw clenched. “You act like she’s your property.”

Heinrich smirked. “Because she is.”

I shot him a glare. “I am not your property, Heinrich.”

“You sleep on my bed. You are wearing the clothes that I payed for. And you'll soon be spending my money so yeah you are my property.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened, flickering between the two of us. “You—you stayed at his place?”

I groaned. “It’s not what you think.”

Heinrich grinned, clearly enjoying this. “Isn’t it?”

Elizabeth looked ready to explode. “You arrogant—”

Heinrich stood up, cutting her off. “As much as I’m enjoying this little chat, I have things to do.”

Elizabeth scowled. “Oh, I’m sure. Very important criminal things.”

He laughed. “You’re really growing on me, Elizabeth.”

“Shove it, Volkov.”

Heinrich leaned down next to me, his breath warm against my ear. “Don’t ignore my calls again, Mariane.”

I stiffened.

Then, with one last smirk, he turned and walked out of the shop.

Elizabeth turned back to me. “Mariane. What the hell have you gotten yourself into?”

I sighed. “I wish I knew.”

—-----------

Elizabeth pulled me into a tight hug, squeezing me as if she was trying to transfer some of her strength to me. “Take good care of yourself,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “And if that asshole hurts you, don’t hesitate to call me. I will personally make him have a meeting with his ancestors.”

I let out a chuckle despite the heaviness in my chest. “I will, Liz. Take care.”

She pulled back, giving me one last searching look, as if trying to make sure I was really okay, before stepping inside her apartment. I watched her disappear into the building, the door clicking shut behind her.

With a sigh, I pulled out my phone, ready to request an Uber. Heinrich’s house was on the outskirts of the city, too far to walk, and there was no way I was calling him for a ride. Not after what he pulled back at the pastry shop. I tapped my screen, but just as I was about to confirm the ride, a sleek black car rolled to a stop right in front of me.

The back window rolled down, and there he was. Heinrich Volkov.

"You know," he drawled, his deep voice laced with amusement, "I was wondering when you’d stop pretending you could get home without me."

I clenched my jaw, already feeling my irritation spike. I rolled my eyes and turned back to my phone, but before I could press the button, the passenger door swung open.

"Get in," he commanded.

I let out an exasperated sigh. "I’m mad at you, so fuck off."

Heinrich chuckled, completely unfazed. "And I don’t give a shit. Now, get your ass in the car."

His green eyes gleamed under the streetlights, dark and unreadable.

I crossed my arms, standing my ground. "I can get home by myself."

"Bullshit," he said simply. "You live in my house, which happens to be miles away, and we both know you’re not walking there."

I turned my head, refusing to look at him. "I can take an Uber."

"Cancel it."

"Heinrich—"

"I’m not asking, Mariane," he cut me off, his voice dropping to a warning tone. "I’m telling you. Get. In. The. Car."

My fingers hovered over my phone, debating whether to listen to him or just ignore him completely. But I knew Heinrich. He wasn’t the kind of man you could ignore. He would either wait here all night, making my life difficult, or he would get out of the car and throw me inside himself.

I sighed, defeated. "You are such an asshole."

"Be careful with your words," he warned. "Now, be a good girl and get in before I decide to carry you."

I huffed but finally climbed into the passenger seat, slamming the door harder than necessary. Heinrich’s lips twitched in amusement as he leaned back against the seat.

"Good girl," he murmured.

I scowled at him. "Don't patronize me."

He smirked, clearly enjoying my frustration. Without another word, he started the car, the engine purring as we pulled onto the road.

The ride was quiet for a few minutes, the only sound being the hum of the engine and the faint music playing on the radio. I kept my arms crossed, staring out the window, refusing to acknowledge him.

But Heinrich, as always, had to break the silence.

"You didn’t answer my calls," he said, his tone casual but firm.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "I don’t answer calls from numbers I don’t recognize."

"You recognized mine," he shot back.

I didn’t respond.

"You were ignoring me."

Still, I stayed silent.

He clicked his tongue, clearly unimpressed with my lack of response. "I don’t like being ignored, Mariane."

"Yeah, well, I don’t like being forced into marriages, but here we are," I muttered under my breath.

He let out a low chuckle. "You’re feisty tonight."

"Gee, I wonder why," I shot back sarcastically.

Heinrich didn’t respond immediately, but I could feel his gaze on me, studying me like he was trying to figure me out.

"You’re mad about what I said to your friend," he finally said.

"Of course, I’m mad," I snapped, finally turning to face him. "You put me on the spot, Heinrich! You made me look like a liar in front of my best friend."

His jaw tensed slightly, but his expression remained unreadable. "She was going to find out eventually."

"Yeah, but on my terms, not yours," I said, frustration clear in my voice. "Do you even care about how this affects me? Or am I just another pawn in your stupid games?"

He didn’t answer right away, but when he spoke, his voice was softer than before. "You’re not a pawn, Mariane."

I scoffed. "Really? Because it sure feels like it."

He sighed, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. "I get that you’re angry. But this marriage is happening whether you like it or not. Hiding it from your friend wouldn’t have changed that."

I shook my head, turning back to the window. "Whatever."

Silence settled between us again, but it wasn’t as tense this time. I could feel him watching me from the corner of his eye, but I refused to look at him.

After a few minutes, he spoke again. "Did you at least enjoy your little outing?"

I frowned, not sure if he was being genuine or just trying to change the subject. "Yes," I answered stiffly.

He nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "Good."

That was it. No teasing, no smug remarks. Just a simple acknowledgment.

I exhaled slowly, letting my body relax slightly against the seat. Maybe this night wasn’t going to be a complete disaster after all.