Elena’s POV

My engagement is later tonight.

And the last thing I want to do is be there.

“I think you will like him,” my best friend murmurs, sprawled on my bed, her hand tucked into a

big bag of chips. “He seems really friendly. I mean, if you ignore the occasional scowl and blabs

about how much he has in his account.”

My eyes move to my door, ensuring the bolt is properly slid in place. “Really, Mandy?”

“What?” she chuckles, rolling to lie on her back. “If I were in your shoes, I would have asked for

the engagement to have happened like yesterday. He might not be Adonis, but he is pretty good-

looking and he has a lot of money.”

I roll my eyes. “You know I don’t care about his money.”

“Right.” She scoffs dramatically. “You are a Marcelli baby. The daughter of the man who

practically controls Los Angeles. What would a man like Edward have to offer you?”

I catch the snide in her tone, and I am about to respond when a knock sounds on the door. I jump

to my feet at once, waving my best friend out of the bed. “Hide,” I whisper, moving briskly to

the door.

She rushes into my walk-in closet, and I hope she remains there because if my father finds out I

have been sneaking her in through the window, it will be the last time I see her before I am

shipped off to a reclusive country.

I attempt a yawn as I pull the door open, rubbing my eyes just the perfect amount. My father

stands at the doorway, unfazed by my act.

“I hear you didn’t come out for breakfast.”

“Dad, I…”

“Elena,” his voice booms around the space, clear and cold. I have heard this voice for all twenty-

four years of my life. Still, it makes me jump. “We have had this conversation before, and you know how much I hate repeating myself. Do not

skip breakfast. The Stone family will not tolerate a wife who is not healthy enough to bear them

heirs.”

“Heirs,” I repeat, shaking my head disbelievingly. “Dad, is that all I am worth to you? A baby

manufacturing company? First, you ask me not to practice painting and to study accounting. I did

that just to make you happy. And now, you…”

“You will not talk back at me.”

I swallow, my eyes growing meek. “Dad, please,” I whisper, taking a slow step closer to him. “I

don’t want to get married to Edward Stone. I…I promise to be good. To do everything you want

from me. Just please, don’t make me…”

“The decision has been made, Elena. Your engagement is happening tonight. Some people will

be here to get you ready.”

He stalks away from me, halting when he reaches the landing of the stairs.

“And Elena?” he mutters. “Your friend, Mandy, is not invited to the engagement, just in case my

last instruction for you to stay away from her wasn’t clear enough. The maid will get your

breakfast to you. Eat.”

I close the door when he disappears from view, leaning on the fine oak. Mandy comes out of the

closet, pity etched in her eyes.

“You know,” she whispers, crossing the space and pulling me into her arms. “Maybe you should

really get married to Edward. At least, you will escape your father, and that is all that is

important.”

I pull away from her slowly. “I can’t believe this is the life that nature has chosen for me.”

“Right,” she murmurs. “I want your wealth, and you want my freedom. I guess we can’t always

have it all.”

Mandy pauses and sighs. “The only other option is to run away, and seeing as that is impossible,

I should leave you to get ready. Have breakfast and smile. I’ll call you.”

She moves to the window when an idea drops into my head. “You are so smart!” I say, snapping my fingers. “Why have I never thought about that?”

Mandy narrows her eyes. “Elena, you can’t possibly…”

“I am not getting married to Edward,” I maintain, shuffling around my bedroom. I grab a huge

tote from the closet while Mandy follows me around, disbelief on her face.

“You can’t be serious,” she snaps when I grab my toothbrush. “Elena, your estate is crowded

with your father’s men. Do you really think you can get anywhere without them finding out?”

I bring my feet to a halt, facing her. “You do it all the time. You come in and out as you please,

even when my father has asked them to keep an eye out for you.”

“That is different!” She brings her hands to my arms, squeezing gently. “I can easily seduce one

of them and get past. But you…their heads will be on the line.”

“Then, I guess my father is going to have a nice time killing some people today.”

I walk towards the window with my bag crossed on my shoulders. Mandy’s head jerks back at

once when she hears the footsteps at the same time that I do. A shy knock sounds on the door.

“Miss Marcelli?” the housekeeper’s familiar voice rings. “Your father has asked me to get you

your breakfast. Can I come in?”

“Mandy!” I whisper harshly, waving her over. “Come on. We have to leave.”

“I hate this plan.” Still, she pulls out through the window with me. There is no time to pull it

shut. We race through the large grounds, staying glued to the walls and avoiding the points my

father’s guards usually occupy.

When we arrive at the gates, I know my father has noticed I am missing. Because at the same

time, they press the earphones they have attached to their ears, their eyes scanning the area.

Their lips don’t move, but I can see the panic in their eyes.

“I warned you,” Mandy whispers beside me. We are glued to each other so tight that I can feel

her heart pounding through me. “Now, I am going to be toast.”

The guards spread out. One of them inches closer. And his feet halt right in front of where we hide.