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13 | Clara Saint

"𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐠𝐨𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝..."

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

"We expect you to come back pregnant, Clara. This honeymoon is to be used well," my father's words weigh heavily on me as he imparts his expectations.

I offer a strained smile, and he kisses my cheek, his farewell filled with a mix of hopes and demands. My mother follows suit, bidding us goodbye with a hug and a lingering expression of concern.

Turning away from them, I make my way towards the private plane, where Vincent has already boarded, his stern demeanor contrasting with the prospect of a honeymoon. Niko trails behind him, both of them deep in their own thoughts.

As I step onto the stairs leading up to the plane, the pilot offers a welcoming smile. "Welcome aboard Mrs Kovak."

"Thank you," I murmur as I settle into the spare seat opposite Vincent, fastening my seatbelt securely.

The flight attendant approaches, and Vincent sifts through some paperwork before accepting a whiskey with a curt nod. She then looks in my direction and inquires, "Anything for you, Mrs. Kovak?"

"A red wine, please," I reply, and she nods before retreating.

As the flight attendant moves away, I gather my courage to address Vincent. "Vincent, I never got to apologise for your loss... Roman was a good man."

Vincent's gaze, cold and indifferent, fixes on me, and his response is sharp and to the point. "You knew nothing about him, so don't bring him up."

"Vincent, I know how it feels to lose a sibling... I lost my sister," I say, trying to bridge the emotional gap between us. He sets the papers aside, leaning in closer with his arm resting on the table between us.

"I didn't ask, and frankly, I don't care," he retorts. "I didn't marry you because I wanted to, or because I felt bad for you. I married you out of obligation to a contract. So when we land in the Maldives, we will fulfill our part of this contract, and when you're pregnant, you won't see me until you give birth. Understood?"

My jaw tenses, and I nod, the heavy weight of our arrangement settling on me. I look up to see the flight attendant returning, placing my red wine awkwardly on the table between us, a silent witness to the complex dynamics of our forced union.

"Understood?" Vincent repeats, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, understood, Mr. Kovak," I whisper, taking a sip of my wine, the air heavy with the unspoken tension between us.

He glances at me, his eyes calculating. "When are your even days?" He asks.

"This week," I reply, and he nods.

"Swap seats with Niko," he commands. Niko glances over at me, and I unstrap myself, rising from my seat. I move to another seat as instructed, and Niko takes my place as Vincent hands him some of the paperwork he was previously reviewing.

I comply with Vincent's orders because I understand how it feels to lose a sibling.

I sip my wine, looking outside the window.

I think I'd rather have married Roman instead.

As the plane descended toward the azure waters of the Maldives, my heart fluttered with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

The tropical paradise below seemed a world away from the circumstances that had led me here. Vincent rose from his seat, and I followed suit, glancing out the window at the stunning view of palm-fringed islands, surrounded by crystal-clear waters.