Chapter 11- The Promise

The car ride home from the engagement party was thick with tension, the kind that pressed on Anna’s chest like an unbearable weight. Jaden sat beside her, his sharp profile illuminated by the city lights that streaked past the windows. He hadn’t spoken a word since they left the venue, his jaw clenched so tightly it could have been carved from stone.

Anna fidgeted with the hem of her dress, replaying the events of the evening in her mind. Daniella’s venomous words still stung, and Lucas’s sudden appearance lingered in her thoughts far longer than she wanted to admit. She cast a sidelong glance at Jaden, wondering if he’d say something, anything, to break the silence. But he remained as cold and distant as ever.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Anna spoke. “Is there something you want to say, Jaden?”

His icy blue eyes flicked toward her, sharp and unyielding. “Do you always attract that kind of attention, or was tonight a special occasion?”

Anna blinked, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”

Jaden’s lips twisted into a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Lucas. He couldn’t take his eyes off you. And Daniella, well, let’s just say she’s never been one to keep her opinions to herself.”

Anna bristled at his tone. “I didn’t ask for Lucas’s attention, and I certainly didn’t provoke Daniella.”

“No?” Jaden leaned back in his seat, his gaze piercing. “You seemed quite comfortable talking to Lucas. A little too comfortable, considering the situation.”

Anna’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “I was being polite. You should try it sometime.”

Jaden’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the window, effectively ending the conversation. Anna bit her lip, frustrated by his arrogance and unwillingness to understand her perspective.

The car pulled up to Anna’s apartment, and she wasted no time stepping out. Before she could slam the door shut, Jaden’s voice stopped her.

“Remember, Anna,” he said, his tone devoid of warmth, “you’re playing a role. Don’t mess it up.”

Anna didn’t dignify him with a response. She shut the door firmly and stormed up the steps to her apartment, her emotions swirling like a storm inside her chest.

Later that night, as Anna sat on her bed, a soft chime broke the silence. She glanced at her phone to find a text from an unfamiliar number.

“Hey, it’s Lucas. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Daniella was intense.”

Anna hesitated, her fingers hovering over the screen. Against her better judgment, she replied.

“I’m fine. Thanks for checking in.”

The reply was almost immediate. “Good. You seemed a bit shaken. If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

Anna stared at the message, her heart conflicted. Lucas was kind—too kind, perhaps—and his attention was dangerously comforting. She couldn’t afford to let herself get distracted, not when her sister’s life depended on her staying focused.

***

The next morning, Anna was sipping on a cup of coffee when her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Eleanor.

“Anna, darling,” came Eleanor’s crisp, authoritative voice. “I’d like you to join me for lunch today. We have much to discuss about the wedding.”

Anna stammered, caught off guard. “Oh, um, of course, Mrs. Blackwell. What time?”

“Noon. I’ll send a car for you.” Eleanor hung up before Anna could respond.

By the time Anna arrived at the upscale restaurant Eleanor had chosen, her nerves were frayed. The older woman was already seated at a table near the window, her posture impeccable and her expression unreadable.

“Anna,” Eleanor said, her smile polite but distant. “Sit.”

Anna obeyed, feeling like a schoolgirl summoned to the principal’s office. As the waiter poured them both glasses of water, Eleanor wasted no time.

“Last night was eventful,” Eleanor began, her tone measured. “Daniella’s behavior was unfortunate, but not unexpected. I trust you won’t let her rattle you.”

Anna nodded, unsure how to respond. “I’ll do my best.”

Eleanor studied her for a long moment, her piercing gaze making Anna squirm. “You’ll need to be stronger than that, dear. Being with Jaden requires resilience. He’s not an easy man, as I’m sure you’ve realized.”

Anna swallowed hard. “I’m aware.”

Eleanor’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Good. Now, about the wedding. I’ve already started making arrangements, but I wanted to ensure you have a say in the details. This will be a public event, after all, and you’ll be under considerable scrutiny.”

Anna nodded again, her mind racing. “I appreciate that.”

Eleanor sipped her water, then leaned forward slightly. “Anna, I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve known my son his entire life, and I’ve never seen him let anyone in. He’s built walls around himself that even I can’t break down.”

Eleanor’s words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Anna tried to steady her breath, her chest tightening with the weight of what was being said. She’d known that Jaden was cold, distant even, but hearing his mother speak so plainly about him felt like a revelation—a sharp sting that she hadn’t been prepared for.

“You must be very patient to handle someone like him,” Eleanor continued, her eyes studying Anna as if she were a puzzle to be solved. “And you must understand, he’s never needed anyone. Not truly. But he needs you now, whether he admits it or not.”

Anna swallowed, trying to process the gravity of the situation. She had no illusions about her relationship with Jaden. She knew it was an arrangement—nothing more. But hearing his mother speak so intimately about him, as if it was a given that Anna could change him, stirred something in her. A sense of responsibility, or perhaps the first inkling of a connection she hadn’t yet realized was there.

“I’ll try my best,” Anna finally said, her voice small despite her best efforts to sound confident.

Eleanor nodded, a satisfied smile curling her lips. “Good. I trust you’ll be able to break through his walls. You see, Anna, my son has always kept people at a distance. But I believe, deep down, he wants to be loved. And you have the potential to offer him that.”

The weight of Eleanor’s words settled on Anna’s shoulders, heavy and almost suffocating. She didn’t know if she could do what Eleanor was asking of her. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to. But there was something about the way Eleanor spoke—something persuasive and maternal—that made Anna want to try.

“Thank you for your trust, Mrs. Blackwell,” Anna said softly, her thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty.

Eleanor’s gaze softened, but there was a steely determination behind it. “This wedding must be perfect, Anna. The world will be watching, and Jaden will need you to be at your best. Remember that. And don’t forget what I asked of you.”

Anna nodded, her mind racing. “I won’t forget.”