Addicted To The Arranged Bride

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~~DANTE~~

***

Adrian confessed his love to Zara right in front of us, and I knew it was complete bullshit.

My brother could act sweet and emotional and even cry if he had to. He did it all before. None of it was ever real.

What he wanted was to sleep with her. That's what it's always been about.

The fact that Zara had been his friend since we were kids made this whole thing even more disgusting. She trusted him and believed in him. And here he was, using that against her.

I didn't say anything, though. She has to see it herself. If I say it now, she'd think I'm jealous.

Mrs Williams stood near her side, watching Adrian like she already knew what type of guy he was. Smart woman.

I felt bad for Zara. If there were other ways to help her family without this marriage, I'd do it. But my trust fund's locked till I get married-family rules.

Adrian was still holding her hand when Dad's voice came from behind.

"Adrian, enough."

Everyone turned to look at him. Dad stood near the entrance with Mom beside him, both looking pissed.

Adrian dropped her hand.

"Dad, please. You all are forcing her."

"Enough, Adrian. Let her go," Dad said.

Mom crossed her arms. "Stop arguing with your father."

Adrian ignored her. "You know she likes me, not Dante. Why can't you just let us be together?"

Zara's face went pale. Her mum looked uncomfortable but didn't speak.

Dad shouted, "The decision is final. Stop making a scene."

Adrian's jaw clenched. "You can't do this to me."

"Enough," Dad said again.

Zara stood frozen the entire time, tears streaming down her face. Then she shook her head and took off running toward the gate.

"Zara!" her mother called after her, but she was already gone.

"Adrian, she's marrying Dante. End of discussion." My father said to Adrian.

Adrian glared at all of us, said nothing, and walked off inside.

Mom went to Mrs Williams and held her arm gently. "Emily, please come inside. Let's talk."

As everyone headed toward the house, I stayed behind for a second, watching the gate where Zara had ran, then went in too.

***

Inside, we gathered in the sitting room. Nanny Valentina poured tea for Mrs Williams, while my father sat across from her.

Everyone sat down except me.

Mom forced a small smile. "Emily, don't stress about what just happened. She'll be fine."

Mrs Williams nodded. "She's just emotional. There's too much happening at once."

Dad leaned back. "She'll be fine. We'll handle everything."

"I'm sorry about Adrian's behaviour," Mom added.

Mrs Williams waved it off. "Zara came here to discuss the wedding timeline. She'd made up her mind to go through with it.  She's overwhelmed right now. Give her some time."

"Of course," my father said. "Take all the time she needs."

They talked for a bit about Zara's school and the situation with the bank.

When Mrs Williams mentioned that the bank had already taken their cars. Dad said I'd drive Zara to school and back from tomorrow. I didn't argue. I just nodded.

"That's really kind of you, Richard," Mrs Williams said.

After a while, Mom stood up. "Emily, come with me to the garden. We need to talk properly."

They both left. Dad looked at me. "You're quiet. What's on your mind?"

"Why marriage, Dad? You could've just helped them," I said.

He sighed. "It was your mother's idea. She believes it helps both families."

"It's about business."

"Partly," he said. "Merging the companies makes sense. And she believes Zara will be good for you. It's not a bad idea."

"Still feels forced," I said.

He nodded. "Maybe. But sometimes things work out later. Give it time."

I didn't answer.

He looked at me. "Zara's going through a lot. Try to make it easy for her. Can you do that?"

"Dad, I will do my best," I said.

He smiled and patted my shoulder. "Good."

We talked about business for a bit, but I wasn't focused. When I got up to leave, I heard voices in the foyer.

"Thank you for everything," Mrs Williams said to my Mom. "I should get going."

I walked over. "Goodnight, Mrs Williams."

She smiled. "Goodnight, Dante."

Mom walked her out. Dad told the driver to take her home.

Then he went upstairs, leaving me alone in the living room.

A few seconds later, Adrian came down. "We need to talk," he said.

"About what?" I asked.

"Zara. You need to back off."

I raised an eyebrow. "Back off? I'm marrying her."

"You don't even want her," he said. "You're just doing this to get back at me."

"Get back at you for what?"

"For Dahlia," he said. "You're dragging Zara into our old mess."

I scoffed. "Dahlia? That was years ago. You're still on that?"

"You haven't forgiven me," he said.

"I have. I just don't trust you."

He glared. "You're lying. Zara means something to me. Leave her out of your game."

"You don't control me," I said.

He took a step closer. "You hurt her, I'll hurt you."

I looked him dead in the eye. "You already did. You messed her up long before I came in."

He froze.

"You want to talk about hurting Zara? Adrian, you've kept her trapped for years. She follows you around like a puppy, and you love it. You know she's in love with you, but you did nothing about it. Because she's the only one loyal enough to put up with you. She's trapped, and you like it that way."

His jaw clenched.

"Yo, you're the one messing up. Once she realises what you've been doing, she's done with you." I leaned in. "When I take her from you, I'll be doing her a favour. And we'll finally be even."

He narrowed his eyes. "I'm not scared of you. Zara will never fall for someone like you."

"Oh really? But she fell for you, didn't she?"

"Stay the hell away from her," he said through gritted teeth. "Or you won't like what happens."

"Enjoy her while it's still a thing. I said with a smirk. "Won't be like that for long."

He shot me one last glare before heading upstairs.

I watched him leave, feeling that quiet win inside. I knew he doesn't like it when things don't go his way.

But now it's not about getting back at him anymore. It's about Zara.

She's got too much spark to be wasting time on someone who doesn't even see it.

She wants something real. Something she can actually feel.

The way her body reacted to me earlier said everything.

She wasn't the calm, nice girl Adrian kept saying she was, and once the real her showed, there was no going back.

She would choose me, not him. And if Adrian got hurt, it wouldn't bother me, just like he hurt me years ago.

***