The room smelled of polished wood, leather-bound contracts, and power.
Anastasia Vasquez sat stiffly in the grand conference hall of Kosta Holdings, her father's voice droning in the background. Her palms were cold despite the heat of the overhead chandelier lights. She kept her gaze low, her fingers clenching the delicate lace of her sleeves.
She shouldn't be here.
She wasn't the daughter meant for this.
Her sister, Isabella, was supposed to be the one sitting at this table, sealing the alliance that would merge their family's ailing company with the corporate empire of Leonidas Kosta, the infamous billionaire tycoon.
But Isabella had run away.
The news had broken that morning—her sister had eloped with a French artist, leaving their family humiliated and desperate. The carefully arranged business marriage, the billion-dollar merger, the last chance to save their failing company—all destroyed overnight.
And so, with no other choice, her father had turned to her.
To Anastasia.
The daughter no one had ever considered important.
"The terms remain the same." Leonidas' voice was deep, a low vibration of authority that made the air heavy.
He sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding, his face unreadable. With sharp features, obsidian-black eyes, and a reputation for ruthlessness, Leonidas Kosta was a man whose name struck fear in the business world.
And now… he was to be her husband.
Anastasia swallowed, her heart pounding against her ribs.
Wasn't he furious? His bride had fled, and he was being forced to take her instead.
A lesser replacement.
Her father cleared his throat. "We appreciate your understanding, Mr. Kosta. Anastasia is just as capable as her sister—"
Lies.
Anastasia knew she wasn't like Isabella. Isabella was bold, confident, and brilliant in business.
She was… quiet. A woman who preferred numbers and finance spreadsheets to social events and boardroom battles.
Leonidas' cold gaze finally landed on her.
Assessing. Calculating. Unreadable.
A chill ran down her spine.
"I don't care who it is," he said flatly. "The contract remains the same. The marriage is a business deal, nothing more."
Anastasia's throat tightened.
Nothing more.
She should have expected that. What man would want a wife forced upon him at the last minute?
Yet… for some reason, the words still stung.
Her father let out a nervous chuckle. "Of course, of course. The wedding will proceed as planned this Saturday."
Three days.
In three days, she would become the wife of a man who held the power to ruin her family with a single decision.
And he did not want her.
Later That Night
The mansion was cold despite its luxury.
Anastasia stood in front of the mirror, staring at the woman who would soon become Mrs. Kosta.
Her reflection stared back—a girl with soft features, large doe-like eyes, and the look of someone who had never belonged anywhere.
Would he resent her?
A knock at the door made her jump. Her father's assistant, a stone-faced woman in a sleek black suit, entered.
"Miss Vasquez, there's a car waiting for you outside."
"…A car?"
"Mr. Kosta wishes to see you."
Anastasia's pulse stuttered.
He wanted to see her? Why?
Something told her that this meeting would decide everything.
And for the first time, she wondered…
Had she just made a deal with the devil?