his hands crossed, his jaw set, and his eyes steadfastly focused on my father with a warning that was silent and simmering. My father proceeded with caution. "Alina, she vanished away just hours be

ck at my father. "I don't care who forced her. This is unacceptable. She leaves. Right now. Immediately. Take her out of here." I got a sinking sensation in my stomach, as though I were going to fall through the floor. My father came before me in defense. "Listen to me, Damien, listen," he said in a low but steady voice. "She cannot leave now, everyone will see. Where did your bride go, people will ask. Why you are alone. The media will tear into this. Investors, families, sponsors, everybody will suffer. They will misinterpret it, and think it's a fake wedding to get buzz for the new project." Damien clenched his jaw. "I do know the consequences." "Do you know how big it is, father? he insisted. "Do you want the headlines to come to-morrow to read Runaway Bride at the Wedding of Damien? That what will happen, that is why." Damien's nostrils flared. He looked back at me, and examined me like a complication that was being thrust upon him against his will. There was a silence, stifling, oppressive. Then finally- "...Fine." The word was clipped, sharp. "She stays." A sigh escaped me, which I had not known I was holding. Damien continued, voice icy as he turned to my father. "She stays for now. Until Alina is found. After that, this ends. Understood?" My father nodded. I forced myself to nod too. Damien jerked his eyes back to me. "You are going to be my wife in the world. However, do not confuse this with acceptance." His tone chilled the air. "One wrong move. One mistake. One slip. And you're gone." "I understand," I whispered. He moved nearer, his voice going still lower. "There will be rules