Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'9

I woke up to hushed whispers and a skull-cracking headache. My limbs felt heavy, and my mouth was dry like cotton. I tried blinking through the sunlight filtering in through the curtains, but even that seemed too harsh. My stomach twisted, queasy and unsettled.

"Good morning," Czar's voice came from beside the bed, flat and unreadable.

I groaned, eyes fluttering open to find him standing at the edge of my bed, arms crossed, jaw tight. Lonnie was beside him, holding a tray with breakfast, a glass of water, and two small white pills. Her eyes were sympathetic.

"What happened?" I rasped.

"Someone slipped something in your drink," Czar said, his voice clipped. "Lada thought it was the bartender. I took care of him—and the creep who grabbed you."

My stomach churned. I didn't want the details. I looked at Lonnie as she stepped forward and set the tray in front of me. I whispered a thank you and took the pills quickly before drinking most of the water in one go. I dug into the food like it was the first time I'd eaten in days.

Lonnie gave me a gentle nod and quietly slipped out of the room.

Czar stayed behind.

"We need to talk," he said.

I paused with a forkful of eggs halfway to my mouth. "About what?"

He rubbed his forehead like the conversation already gave him a migraine. "I didn't want to rush the wedding. I wanted you to have time to plan it. But I have business in Bora Bora next week and I don't want to leave you here alone."

I stared at him. "What are you saying?"

"We're having the wedding next Tuesday. Then we'll leave for Bora Bora as a honeymoon."

I chewed slowly, swallowed, then set my fork down. "Okay."

He blinked, surprised. "That's it? Just 'okay'?"

I sighed. "I'm already being forced to marry you. Why prolong it?"

For a second, he didn't speak. He just studied me. And for a moment, I wondered if he was trying to read my mind—or if he even cared.

Then his phone rang.

Without a word, he answered and walked out of the room, voice disappearing down the hall. I stared at the empty doorway, wondering if it was Kira on the other end. Maybe one of the many women he'd had before me—or still had.

He wasn't the type to love someone, let alone stay faithful. And I wasn't the type to settle. But here we were.

What would happen when he wanted kids? Would he expect me to be the one to carry them? Could I?

I always dreamed of having children with someone I adored. Someone who adored me back. The kind of love that turns a house into a home. But that dream was slipping further away, buried beneath diamonds and secrets.

I sighed and finished my breakfast, then headed to the bathroom. I took a hot shower, brushed my teeth, and left my curls loose. As I was getting dressed, I glanced at my phone.

Ten missed calls from Mom.

I called her back immediately.

She picked up on the second ring. "Zariah! I've been calling you!"

"Sorry, Mom. I was in the shower. What's wrong?"

Her voice cracked. "It's your dad. He had a heart attack. We're at St. Joe's. The doctors aren't sure if he'll make it."