Page 70 of Sinful Games

Okay, just breathe, Caia. Don’t let him see you lose control.

“Just to be clear, I willnevermarry you.”

The corner of his mouth curled up. “You’re already my wife, Caia. Contract’s signed, remember?”

I shot up from my seat, slamming my hands on the table. “I’d rather face the flames, Joan of Arc-style, than spend a second as your wife.”

“Sit down.”

My throat tightened, my anger flaring hotter. “You had no right to—” I stopped, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “I trusted you. How could you do this to me?”

He lit a cigarette, taking a drag before speaking. “I warned you, Caia. I’m going to win this game you started.” He exhaled smoke, his eyes cold. “Seems I’ve already won.”

I scoffed, incredulous. “You think forcing me into marriage is winning?”

He shrugged and took another drag.

“I thought we were... friends,” I said, my voice steady despite the simmering anger.

Friends.

Even I knew it wasn’t true.

The hatred I had for him was too deep it nearly consumed me.

But after what happened a few nights ago, I’d dared to hope that, in some twisted, unconventional way, we could be... friends.

He exhaled a cloud of smoke. “I never intended to be your friend, Caia.

His words hit like a slap. I cursed my own naivety forletting him into my world—sharing stories, letting him into my home, showing him my art, even kissing him.

The betrayal burned, but I refused to show weakness. Enraged, I snatched the cigarette from his lips and crushed it against his hand. He cursed and jerked his hand away, glaring at me.

"Just a preview of what’s coming,husband," I spat.

I turned on my heel, ready to storm out, but before I could reach the door, his hand clamped around my wrist, anchoring me in place while he remained seated.

"See you tomorrow,wife," he murmured, his thumb drawing lazy patterns on my skin. "Make sure you’re wearing white for me."

I wrenched my arm free, seething with a mix of anger and frustration. The nerve of him, the arrogance—it grated on me. But even as I fumed, a spark of defiance flared within.

I shot him the finger and, with a determined stride, marched out, leaving his smug smirk behind.

Chapter

Twenty-Two

“To make a vow is a greater sin than to break one.”

?Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Caia

“I’m so sorry, Caia. I thought he was a… good guy.”

I dropped the towel from my head and slumped onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh. The clock was ticking—less than two hours before my father stormed in and dragged me off to my soon-to-be husband. Just thinking about it made me shudder.

After last night's disastrous escape attempt, Valeria had stayed up all night trying to soothe my nerves, but comfort was in short supply.

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