Chapter 23 Court House
? Isabella’s POV “Let’s go,” he said, his voice low and firm. His hand wrapped around my wrist, unshakeable.
He pulled me forward before I could react. I stumbled, catching myself as we left the conference room behind. My dress brushed against my legs with every step, soft and heavy , a reminder of the wedding I didn’t choose. My heartbeat thudded fast in my ears, every step making my chest tighter.
He walked with purpose. I was just pulled along.
The courthouse hallway felt cold and endless. The polished floors shined under the bright lights, and the silence made everything worse. It felt like the entire world had emptied out, leaving only me, him, and the future he already decided for us.
My stomach twisted harder with every step. His grip didn’t loosen. I felt small next to him, swallowed by the tension and fear building inside me. I tried to keep my head up, to hide how scared I was, but my breathing was shaky, and my hands wouldn’t stop trembling.
I didn’t want this marriage. I didn’t want him.
But Sarah’s terrified face flashed through my mind , the way she cried when Mike dragged her away, the threat he hissed if I dared say no. My stomach flipped again. I kept walking because I had no choice.
We were almost at the large double doors at the end of the hallway , tall, heavy, and final. They looked like the end of my life as I knew it.
Then I noticed someone standing near the entrance.
A woman.
She was tall and stunning, the kind of beautiful that made you stare for a second without meaning to. Dark hair fell over her shoulders in soft waves. Her features were sharp and flawless, her posture relaxed like she owned every room she stepped into.
But it was her eyes that made my breath catch.
Silver-gray.
Exactly like his.
Her gaze moved from me to Alexander, slow and sharp. A small smile tugged at her lips, playful but edged with something deeper.
Alexander’s steps slowed. His grip loosened slightly, and for the first time today, I saw something real break through his cold expression , a genuine smile.
“Big brother,” she said, her tone warm but teasing. “I cannot believe you’re doing this to her.”
My heart jumped.
His sister.
Of course. The resemblance was striking now that I stood in front of her. The same eyes. The same calm confidence. But she carried it with softness instead of strength.
She stepped closer, turning her attention to me. When she smiled, it wasn’t cruel. It wasn’t mocking. It was kind.
“You’re very beautiful,” she said gently. “Why are you letting him do this to you?”
Her words hit me like a punch. My throat tightened. I didn’t know how to answer, because the truth was painful and simple:
I didn’t have a choice.
Alexander’s hand tightened around my wrist again, firm and clear. A reminder. He was right there.
Before I could say anything, his sister looked down at his grip, then back up at his face. The warmth in her expression faded.
“Alexander,” she said quietly, “let her go.”
I froze. My stomach twisted. She knew. She could see it. She wasn’t pretending this was normal.
My mouth opened, but nothing came out. What could I say with him standing next to me?
Alexander let out a low, cold chuckle. Then he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her toward him in a quick tug. She laughed softly, pushing at his chest like she was annoyed.
“Don’t do this to the poor girl, Alex. Let her go”.
A second later, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He didn’t hesitate. He hugged her back. Easy. Familiar. Like this was the most natural thing in the world.
I stood there, feeling out of place. Watching them. They looked close. Comfortable. Like they shared a world I would never understand.
She pulled back and turned to me again. Her gray eyes studied me carefully.
“Why are you doing this to yourself?” she asked, her voice softer now. “Marrying someone you don’t even know?”
My throat felt tight. I clenched the fabric of my dress and forced myself to speak.
“He didn’t give me a choice,” I said quietly. “He told me he’d ruin my life. And the lives of the people I care about. If I didn’t marry him.”
Her head snapped toward him. Anger flashed across her face.
“I can’t believe you,” she said sharply. “You actually said that to her? Are you really going to ruin her life if she refuses?”
Alexander didn’t hesitate.
He stepped closer to his sister. His expression turned cold again.
“Absolutely,” he said, calm and direct. “I would, you know that Eva.”
His eyes were hard. There was no shame in them.
“And you will not tell Mother,” he said quietly. “She doesn’t know I’m forcing this. And I want it to stay that way. Do you understand?”
The hallway went silent.
That was when I understood something else.
Even his sister was careful around him.
Her jaw tightened. Her hands curled into fists at her sides. Anger flashed in her eyes as she stared at him.
She turned toward me, ready to speak. “He’s hiding , ” she began, her voice sharp.
Alexander moved fast.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward a side door in the hallway. He opened it and stepped close to her.
“Enough,” he said, his voice low and firm. “Get inside.”
She hesitated for a split second, surprise flickering across her face when she saw how serious he was.
Then she stepped into the small room.
He followed her inside and shut the door hard.
The sound echoed down the empty hallway.
I stood there, my heart pounding, my breathing uneven as I stared at the closed door.
What is he hiding?
Their voices came through the door. Muffled, tense.
I looked around. The hallway was empty. No one else. Just me.
Slowly, I stepped closer and pressed my ear against the door.
“You have to tell her,” his sister said. Her voice was urgent. “You can’t hide this forever. One day she’ll find out.”
Tell me what?
My pulse quickened.
“She won’t,” Alexander replied, calm but firm. “And you are not saying a word. Do you understand me?”
Not saying a word about what?
My stomach twisted harder.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” she shot back. “She’s not stupid. She deserves the truth. If you tell her now, maybe she’ll understand.”
Understand what?
There was a pause.
“She doesn’t need to understand,” he said. “She just needs to marry me.”
My chest tightened.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine,” he continued, his voice calm and firm. “I don’t need her. I just need her for now. Twelve months. Then I’ll let her go.”
“You’re actually going to walk away after twelve months?” his sister asked, her voice steady but tense. “After dragging her into this?”
“Yes,” he said, cold and flat. “It doesn’t matter , not to her, not to me.”
“I don’t believe you,” she snapped, her tone sharp, cutting.
Why wouldn’t she?
Doesn’t she know exactly what kind of man her brother is? Cold. Self-centered. Always in control.
“That’s your problem,” he said, dismissing her like she was an inconvenience.
“Why are you doing this to yourself?” she pushed, her voice rising now. “Why do you keep punishing yourself? Stop this. You’ve been doing this for years. Stop the wedding. Tell Mother. Tell Isabella.”
Punishing himself?
I felt anger rise in my chest.
How is this punishment for him?
He’s the one forcing me into this.
He’s the one making threats.
How is he the victim here?
My fists clenched at my sides.
She’s talking like he’s the one suffering. Like I’m some kind of burden he’s carrying.
What the hell.
I was about to step away from the door when his voice cut through the air.
“Enough!” he barked.
The force of it made me flinch.
“I’ve made up my mind,” he continued, sharp and cold. “This goes ahead exactly as planned. No one is finding out. And you will not say a word to Mother. Do you understand?”
Finding out what?
What is there left to find out?
“Fine,” she snapped, frustration thick in her voice. “I won’t say anything. But the truth always comes out. And when it does, you’ll wish you told her yourself. It’ll be too late.”
Truth?
My stomach dropped.
What truth?
She thinks I don’t already know?
I saw him kill a man.
I saw the way people obey him.
I saw the fear in that warehouse.
I know he’s not just a CEO.
He’s not just some powerful businessman.
He’s mafia.
I saw it with my own eyes.
So what secret could be worse than that?
He did not answer. The hallway went quiet. Then I heard footsteps moving toward the door.
I jumped back fast, my heart pounding hard in my chest. I stepped away from the door and smoothed my dress, trying to steady my breathing, pretending I had just been standing there the whole time.
The door opened.
His sister came out first. Her face was tight with anger, her gray eyes sharp. Alexander followed right behind her, calm and cold, his expression empty like nothing had happened.
He did not look at her again.
Instead, he reached for my hand.
His fingers slid between mine and locked tight. The grip was firm and clear. I was not going anywhere.
“Smile,” he said quietly as he leaned in close. His breath touched my ear. “Look happy. Mother is waiting in the courtroom.”
His eyes held mine, sharp and clear. A warning.
Then he straightened and led me down the hallway like this was normal. Like none of this was forced.
I made myself smile. It felt tight and fake. My stomach twisted as I looked at him, then ahead. My chest felt heavy with nerves and confusion.
What were they hiding?
He was lying to his mother about this marriage. Why?
My thoughts spun as we walked. His hand stayed locked around mine. Firm. Controlling. He guided me toward the large double doors at the end of the hall.
He pushed them open with his free hand.
My breath caught.
Sarah stood inside.
She was near the front of the room, her familiar face hitting me with sudden relief. She looked nervous but safe. She stood beside an elegant older woman dressed in a cream coat, diamonds shining at her neck. Her dark hair was styled perfectly.
The woman turned when we entered.
Her gray eyes, the same shade as Alexander’s, filled with joy. A proud smile spread across her face, bright and full of excitement, like this was the happiest day of her life.
His mother.
She looked warm. Elegant. Completely unaware of the truth.
And there I stood in a white dress, smiling like I had chosen this.
Sarah saw me. Her face went pale. Her eyes widened with worry as she hurried toward me, her heels clicking fast against the floor.
I moved toward her without thinking. I needed her. I needed something real.
Alexander’s grip tightened around my wrist.
Hard.
He pulled me back against his side. His body felt like a wall beside me.
“Behave,” he murmured near my ear. His voice was calm but firm.
His fingers pressed into my skin in warning.
“I allowed Sarah to be here. Don’t make me regret it.”
He leaned closer, his breath warm against my cheek.
“And don’t say a word to my mother about this. Not a hint that I forced you. If you do, you will regret it.”
His eyes locked on mine. Cold. Clear. Serious.
“Now greet your friend,” he said quietly. “Act like a happy bride. Understand?”
My heart started racing. I looked at him, then at his mother smiling like this was a dream wedding.
She had no idea. She didn’t know he threatened me. She didn’t know about Sarah. She didn’t know any of it.
My hands shook.
“Got it,” I said under my breath. My smile felt tight and fake, but I forced it anyway.
Sarah reached me with her arms open. Her smile looked bright, but I could see the fear in her eyes.
“Bella!” she said loudly, like everything was perfect.
She pulled me into a tight hug. I held onto her harder than I meant to.
“Sarah,” I whispered against her shoulder.
For a second, I felt safe. Just a little.
But Alexander’s hand rested on my back. Light. Controlling. A reminder.
Sarah pulled back slightly and leaned close to my ear.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted to beg her to get me out of here.
But I could feel his eyes on me.
“I will be,” I said quietly.
I pulled back and looked at Sarah. She knew I was lying. I knew she knew. But neither of us said it.
Alexander’s mother stepped closer. Her cream coat looked expensive and perfect under the bright courtroom lights. Diamonds sparkled at her neck. She was smiling like this was the happiest day of her life.
“It’s so lovely to finally meet you, Isabella,” she said warmly, clasping her hands together.
I swallowed and forced myself to hold her gaze. “Mrs. Kingsley,” I replied politely, keeping my smile in place even though my heart was racing.
She laughed softly and shook her head. “Please, call me Evelyn.”
Her kindness made my chest feel tight. She had no idea what was really happening.
Alexander stepped closer to her and placed a calm hand on her back.
“Mother,” he said smoothly, smiling like everything was normal.
Evelyn looked up at him with pride, her manicured hand resting on his arm. Then she turned back to me, her gray eyes warm.
“You’re even more beautiful in person, Isabella,” she said gently. “Alexander has told me so much about you.”
I forced another smile. My stomach twisted as I glanced at him. His eyes were sharp, watching me closely, warning me without words.
“That’s… nice to hear,” I said, keeping my voice steady even though my hands were trembling.
I stood there in a white dress, pretending this was my choice. Pretending I was happy. Pretending I wasn’t trapped.
Evelyn squeezed my hands softly. Her touch was light and kind, nothing like her son’s firm grip.
“I knew you would be perfect for him,” she said with confidence. “The moment he told me about you, I just knew.”
Told her about me?
A heavy feeling settled in my stomach. That meant he had been lying to her for a while. He must have made up a full story about us long before today.
I wanted to ask what he had told her. I wanted to know how far the lie went.
But I didn’t.
I just smiled and nodded.
“I’m happy to meet you too, Mrs. Kingsley,” I said politely.
Her eyes softened. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t be so formal. Call me Mom.”
My stomach tightened.
Alexander’s hand slid down my arm, his fingers brushing my wrist. From the outside, it probably looked gentle. Loving.
I knew better.
It was a warning.
I forced myself to nod again. “Of course… Mom.”
Evelyn looked pleased.
Behind her, Sarah stood stiff and silent, her hands clenched at her sides. Her eyes moved between me and Alexander. She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t.
I wanted to run to her. I wanted to tell her everything.
But I stayed where I was.
“Shall we begin?” the officiant asked.
Evelyn clapped her hands lightly. “Yes, please. I’ve been waiting for this day.”
Alexander turned to me and took my hand. His grip was firm. Possessive. He led me forward without asking.
The courtroom suddenly felt smaller. The air felt heavy.
This didn’t feel like a wedding.
It felt like a sentence.