22. Bella
TWENTY-TWO
Bella
He reaches into his bag and pulls out a small box, opening it to reveal a beautiful engagement ring. The diamond catches the light, sparkling brilliantly.
My breath catches in my throat as he takes my hand and slips the ring onto my finger. "I'm doing this the right way," he says, his voice steady.
Shock floods through me, and I pull my hand back, staring at the ring in disbelief. "Alex, if you know this can't work, we shouldn't get married."
His expression hardens, and a darker, commanding side of him emerges. "You don't have a choice, Bella. This is life or death."
I feel a surge of anger and desperation. "How come it's all about consent in the bedroom, but not in this? Doesn’t that make you a hypocrite?"
He steps closer, his eyes intense. "In my world, people marry for a lot of reasons. Love isn't one of them."
"But I will only marry for love," I insist, my voice rising. "This isn't right. I can't do it."
His gaze softens for a moment, but then he straightens, his demeanor becoming even more commanding. "Put on the wedding dress, Bella. Or you'll be walking down the aisle naked."
His words send a chill down my spine, and I realize just how little control I have over this situation. My heart pounds in my chest as I look at him, the man I thought I could trust, now a stranger forcing me into a life I never asked for.
I take a deep breath, my hands trembling as I reach for the wedding dress hanging in the closet. "I can't believe you're doing this," I whisper, tears streaming down my face.
He doesn't respond, just watches me with an unreadable expression.
As I slip into the dress, the fabric cold and foreign against my skin, I feel a part of me breaking. This isn't the life I imagined, and the man I thought I loved is the one taking it from me.
When I'm finally dressed, I turn to face him, my heart heavy with a mix of fear and resignation. "There. Happy now?"
He steps closer, his hand cupping my cheek. "I know this isn't what you wanted, Bella. But it's the only way to keep you safe."
His touch is gentle, but his words feel like a prison. I nod, unable to speak, and let him lead me towards a future I never asked for.