A Crown of Ashes (Whychoose Romance)

3. Unspoken Vows

 (Lila's POV)

Dinner at Governor Shaw's estate had never been part of my plan. But, then again, my life had never truly been mine to plan. Isaac had a way of making sure of that.

I sat at the long dining table, the weight of the silverware in my hand feeling like lead. The extravagant chandelier overhead cast soft, golden light across the polished mahogany table, but I found no comfort in the luxury around me. My appetite was gone, swallowed by the tension tightening my chest. Isaac was seated next to me, exchanging quiet words with Governor Shaw, but the unease in the air was thick enough to taste.

Governor Shaw smiled at Isaac's every word, but there was a stiffness to it, a tightness around his eyes. He was nervous, uncomfortable in a way that didn't match the image of a confident politician who controlled the city's future. His fork hovered over his plate, picking at his food, but he wasn't eating either.

I kept my head down, letting their voices blur into background noise. I was here because Isaac demanded it, and that was the only explanation I was given. When he told me to make myself presentable for dinner, I couldn't question it. I am a puppet and he is my puppeteer.

But there was something off about this whole evening, a heaviness that hung over every exchange. It wasn't just the governor's awkward laughter or Isaac's watchful eyes; it was the way they both seemed to be skirting around something, something I wasn't privy to. The food in front of me felt like a mockery, a feast set for a celebration I wasn't invited to.

Isaac's voice dropped lower, catching my attention again.

"Everything's already set in motion," Isaac said, his tone as smooth and confident as ever. "It'll be a union that benefits us both."

The governor swallowed hard, shifting in his seat before nodding stiffly. "Yes... a union."

I looked between them, my brow furrowing. Union? What union?

Before I could make sense of it, Isaac's voice cut through my thoughts. "Lila, you'll want to make sure everything is perfect for the wedding."

I blinked, my mind stalling as the word sank in. Wedding? I hadn't misheard that, had I?

Governor Shaw cleared his throat, offering me a strained smile. "Yes, the wedding. You'll be a lovely bride, Lila."

The fork in my hand slipped from my fingers, clattering loudly onto the plate. I barely noticed. My heart was thudding painfully in my chest, the edges of my vision blurring as the reality of their words hit me.

Bride. Wedding. The room tilted slightly as I forced myself to meet Isaac's cold gaze. He didn't flinch, didn't hesitate. There was no hint of remorse or explanation, only his usual calculated indifference.

My lips parted, the words sticking in my throat. "Our... wedding?" I managed, my voice trembling.

Governor Shaw shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing nervously at Isaac before turning back to me. "Of course, Lila. I... I thought you knew. Isaac assured me you were fully prepared for this."

The blood drained from my face, and I had to grip the edge of the table to steady myself. Prepared? I had no idea. No clue that I was about to be handed off like property, like some bargaining chip in whatever sick deal Isaac had made with this man.

I looked at Isaac, desperately searching for some explanation, some sign that this wasn't happening. But his expression was unreadable, cold and calculated. He wasn't going to say anything.

"It's been arranged for some time now," Isaac added, as if that would explain everything. As if I was supposed to smile and nod, grateful for his intervention in my life.

I bit down on the inside of my cheek, my vision blurring with unshed tears. My hands clenched into fists beneath the table, the nails biting into my palms as I fought to keep my composure. I couldn't refuse this. I couldn't run. Isaac would make sure I paid for any sign of defiance, and I couldn't bear the punishment that would follow.

Governor Shaw shifted in his seat again, his gaze falling to his untouched plate. "I... I'm sure we'll make a strong partnership," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. His unease was obvious now, the way his hands fidgeted in his lap and his eyes refused to meet mine. He didn't want this either, not really. But Isaac had him cornered, just like me.

"Lila, you will follow through with this," Isaac's voice was low and commanding. The way he said it left no room for argument. "You will not embarrass me."

I felt sick, my stomach churning as the weight of his words settled over me. This was real. This was happening. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The rest of the dinner was a blur of muted conversations, my mind too scattered to focus on anything but the crushing reality of what was unfolding around me. Isaac and the governor spoke about logistics, about arrangements for a wedding that would take place whether I agreed or not.

I barely heard them. My pulse roared in my ears, my breath shallow as I stared down at the half-eaten meal in front of me. My fingers curled tightly around the edge of my seat, my knuckles turning white. I was trapped, caught between a man who saw me as a pawn and another who believed I was a willing participant in this nightmare.

I wanted to scream, to cry, to do anything but sit there in silence. But I knew the cost of defiance. The half-moon indents my nails left in the wood were the only sign of my inner turmoil.

Eventually, the dinner ended. Isaac stood, nodding politely to Governor Shaw, who offered me another awkward, strained smile before retreating into his study. Isaac didn't spare me a glance as he left me sitting at the table, the weight of what had just been forced upon me pressing down like a lead blanket.

I rose slowly, my legs trembling as I made my way to the room I was staying in. The grand hallways, the expensive artwork, the polished floors—it all felt like a grotesque illusion, mocking me as I passed. This wasn't the life I'd ever imagined for myself, but now it was the only one I had.

When I finally reached the room, I collapsed onto the bed, curling into a tight ball. My chest heaved as silent sobs wracked my body, my face buried in the pillow to muffle the sound. Tears soaked the fabric as I cried for the life I'd never have, the freedom I'd never taste.

I prayed for something—anything—that could save me. But deep down, I knew better. No one was coming. I was alone in this. And the clock was ticking down to the day I'd be forced to marry Governor Shaw.

With no other choice, I cried myself to sleep, praying for help that I knew would never come.