THE PAWN AND THE KING

11

My heart plummeted as I read the name—Anna.

A wave of nausea swept over me, and I staggered back, nearly stumbling over the edge of the bed. The weight of that name hung heavily in the air, a taunt that curled around my chest like a noose. Anger, betrayal, and confusion surged within me, threatening to spill over. How could he still be in contact with her?

I was beyond devastated, but who was I kidding? Raeland never once said he loved me. He had made it crystal clear from the very beginning that this marriage was a transaction—an arrangement to solidify our families' interests, not a union of hearts.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, echoing in the otherwise silent room. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill creeping into my bones. My gaze darted around the lavish room—the deep, rich colors of the drapes, the ornate carvings of the furniture, all so luxurious yet suffocating.

As I sat on the edge of the bed, memories flooded my mind, pulling me back to that pivotal moment when my father first mentioned the marriage arrangements with the Morreti family. I could still picture the way he leaned against the doorframe, his shoulders tense, the lines of worry etched across his face.

"I don't want to involve my daughter in this," he had said, his voice heavy with reluctance as he regarded my stepmother. "They're too naive to understand everything."

My heart raced at the memory. I had been listening from the hallway, my breath held tight in my chest. But even then, I had felt the spark of determination ignite within me. I could no longer live in Amara's shadow, always playing the part of the dutiful daughter, sacrificing my desires for her whims.

So when the opportunity arose, I marched into the room, a fire igniting in my belly. "Dad," I had said, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve, "Let me do it. I'm perfect for the Morreti match. You need someone sacrificed for this family, that would be me."

His brows knitted together, confusion flickering in his eyes. "Lila, this isn't a game. Stay out of it—You don't understand anything."

"I do understand," I pressed, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. "This is just a transaction, right dad? I can make it work, I promise."

The tension in his posture eased slightly, but I could see the hesitation in his eyes. "But if I make you the bride, you must promise me something in return later."

Without thinking, caught up in my own desperation and the allure of finally stepping into the spotlight, I nodded. "Of course. Whatever you need."

At that moment, I had no idea what that promise would entail. I just wanted to break free, to be seen as more than Amara's lesser half. To be the main character—to be Raeland's.

But now, staring at Raeland's phone, I felt the control I thought I had slipping away. I had fought for this—endured the cold glances, the expectations—and found him tangled in a web with someone else. My throat tightened as the bitterness pooled in my stomach. "This can't be," I whispered to myself, tears brimming in my eyes.

I glanced back at Raeland, sprawled on the bed, his body twisted in an unnatural way, the sheets rumpled around him. His face was contorted in pain, and a fine sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead, highlighting the severity of his condition. Panic surged through me, a tight knot forming in my stomach as I noticed his complexion, now flushed an alarming shade of red. He whimpered something I couldn't quite catch, the sound barely a whisper, yet it reverberated through the silence of the room, tugging at my heart.

"Stay with me, Raeland," I murmured, my voice shaky as I quickly dialed Dr. Sterling, my family doctor. She had always been there when I faced punishment from Gloria, never once reporting back to my father. It was that trust that made me feel I could rely on her for Raeland.