Possessive InLove

Chapter 17: The Invitation to Control

Chapter 17: The Invitation to Control

Rena's POV

The penthouse was filled with the quiet rustle of preparations, and I could feel the tension building with every passing minute. Filip had been in and out of meetings all day, but now he was fully focused on tonight's event-the business party he had insisted I attend.

He came into the room, holding up an elegant gown with a satisfied smile. "Rena, look at this. I had it custom-made for tonight. It's perfect for the event."

The dress was stunning, no doubt about it. It was a deep emerald green, shimmering under the soft lighting, and the thought of wearing it felt like being wrapped in an elegant cage.

"I'm not going, Filip," I said quietly, turning my back to the dress.

He froze, his smile faltering. "What do you mean you're not going? We've already discussed this. It's an important night for my business, and you'll be by my side."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "I'm not ready for this. I don't want to be paraded around like an accessory. I won't fit in with your colleagues and their perfect, polished lives."

"You're not an accessory," Filip said, his tone growing sharper. "You're my fiancée. This is part of our life now-these events, this world. I need you to be there with me."

His words struck a chord of anxiety inside me. This world-his world-felt foreign and suffocating. I could already imagine the curious glances, the whispers, the weight of judgment from his business associates. "I'm not comfortable with this, Filip. I don't belong at events like that."

He moved closer, his expression hardening. "Rena, this is non-negotiable. You've been avoiding this for weeks, but now it's time. You're going, whether you like it or not."

My chest tightened, and I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. "I don't want to be dragged into a life I'm not ready for."

"It's not about being ready," he said, his voice steely. "This is what comes with being with me. You're going to have to adapt. You said you wanted to make this work, didn't you?"

I felt cornered, trapped by the weight of his expectations. "This isn't what I wanted, Filip. I never wanted to be part of this world."

He sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. "You're overthinking this. It's just a party. You'll wear the dress, put on the jewelry I've picked out for you, and you'll look stunning. Once you're there, you'll see how easy it is."

He stepped back and gestured toward the table where an array of shimmering jewels lay, carefully selected to complement the gown. "I've taken care of everything. All you have to do is show up and look the part."

I shook my head, the pressure building inside me. "I'm not a piece of your business strategy, Filip. I'm not something you can show off to your partners."

He crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. "This isn't about showing you off. It's about being a team. You're part of my life, Rena. When I succeed, we succeed. You can't keep hiding from it."

"Hiding?" I scoffed, anger bubbling up. "I'm not hiding. I'm just trying to hold onto the last piece of myself before I lose it completely in this life of yours."

Filip's eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a cold, controlled tone. "You agreed to this life when you agreed to marry me. Tonight is important, and you're going to that party. If you want to meet your parents after the wedding, you'll be there."

I flinched at his words. He knew how much it meant to me to see my parents again, after all the distance and control he had exerted over my life. And now he was using it as leverage. My heart sank, realizing just how deep his hold on me went.

"You're blackmailing me with my own family?" I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief.

"I'm reminding you of the choices you made," he said flatly. "You want to see your parents? Then stand by my side tonight, and after the wedding, I'll make sure you do."

The room felt colder suddenly, and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ward off the suffocating pressure that Filip was applying. He was right, in a way. I had agreed to marry him. I had agreed to be part of his world. But I hadn't agreed to lose myself completely.

Tears stung the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back. "Fine," I said, my voice tight with defeat. "I'll go. But don't think for a second that this is what I want."

Filip's face softened slightly, though his satisfaction was clear. "You'll see, Rena. Once we're there, it'll all make sense. You'll see that you belong at my side."

I didn't respond, instead turning away from him and walking toward the gown he had chosen for me. The fabric felt heavy in my hands, just like the weight of the decision I was making. I would go to the party, for my parents. But inside, I knew that this was another step toward losing the person I used to be.