Sentenced to Marriage

Chapter 47

He held my hand the entire way to Greenwich, and let go only to shift his grip to help me leave the car in front of the modern version of the medieval fortress–the Wintons‘ mansion.

“I‘m nervous... I don‘t know what to say to them. They will ask about us, right?” I squeezed Aren‘s hand, hoping for the last words of comfort.

“Tell the truth.” He smirked. “It‘s the best way to hide any lie. The more truth they hear, the lower they‘ll lower their guards.”

We walked inside, greeted by the servant ladies at the door, before meeting with Augustus Winton, Aren‘s father, and Vanessa. I inwardly sighed in relief when I noticed there was no Callan around. Nonetheless, I merely expected him to show up later. All the men were dressed in well–tailored black tuxedos, while Vanessa was wearing a slightly shimmering white–silver gown. The view made me wonder if it was a family dinner or a show of wealth and power. There were no hugs and kisses but brief, polite nods, and half–smiles while greeting us, which made me feel more like I was about to enter a business meeting.

“So, Cora, how did you and Aren meet?” Vanessa asked as soon as we sat down at the table.

“We met in a café in Midtown Manhattan,” I replied, before taking a sip of wine.

She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Really? Were you working somewhere nearby?”

I chuckled and glanced at Aren before answering, “I worked at that café.” “What?!” Vanessa exclaimed, her tone mixing disbelief and disdain.

Aren glared at his stepmother and gently placed his hand on top of mine “I saw her there and wanted to make her mine. I couldn‘t care less what kind of job she does,” he said curtly

Aren‘s father interrupted, clearing his throat. “And do you still work at that cafe, Coral”

“No, I actually started working for Lan Diamond Corporation,” I claimed proudly,

Suddenly, a burst of malicious laughter filled the room. The sound was coming from the threshold of the dining room. As I turned toward the source, I saw Callan entering the room and taking the seat right in front of me. He was wearing a dark blue suit, distinguishing him from the rest of the men in the room and making him look less formal.

“What great news, Cora? You‘ve always wanted to work for a big company, but I‘ve never expected you to fuck my brother just to achieve that.” Callan‘s venomous words brought my blood to a boil in an instant.

I clenched my fists, and I noticed that I wasn‘t the only one. Aren straightened up in his seat, looking like a predator one second before an attack.

“Callan!” Augustus roared, his eyes shifting between him and Aren. “Apologize to your brother‘s fiancée at once!”

Callan, Vanessa, and Aren‘s father looked at the old man in undeniable shock.

“Now!” Augustus thundered, before indiscreetly checking Aren‘s reaction.

Callan‘s lips twitched in anger, but he quickly turned it into a cold smirk. “I apologize, future sister–in– law.”

Aren leaned forward on the table, sending Callan a murderous glare. “Watch it, brother. The next time you try to insult my Cora, nothing will save you“-he glanced disdainfully at the old man–“not even a poorly played outrage that forced you to say this half–assed apology.” “Callan and Aren, stop this fight. This was supposed to be a family dinner.” James Winton made a frown as if the murderous look in his sons‘ eyes stood for a mere difference of opinion.

Vanessa smiled nervously, shifting her eyes to me. “And how do you know my son?”

“She used to be my precious girlfriend when I studied at Oxford, Mom,” Callan replied before I could. “Of course, she didn‘t know I was a Winton then,” he added with a mocking chuckle.

“So, you left my son... for Aren?” Vanessa‘s voice became as venomous as Callan‘s.

I screamed internally in frustration and anger when Aren suddenly lifted my hand to place a delicate kiss on it, and then his eyes landed on Vanessa. “Your son was an idiot for not taking care of Cora properly. But perhaps I should thank him. If it wasn‘t for him being a sickening bastard, I wouldn‘t have this amazing gem by my side.” Aren smirked. Callan punched the table with his fist. “Don‘t provoke me, brother. You don‘t want me to spill all the dirt,” he hissed, glancing at me.

“Enough!” Augustus bellowed. “Callan! If you cannot behave like a civilized person, then leave this table at once!”

It was obvious that Augustus was doing it only to please Aren. He couldn‘t care less about the meaning of Callan‘s words. He only wanted to stop the upcoming catastrophe that could put

him at a disadvantage when talking with Aren about business,

“Fine!” Callan fumed, getting up from his seat and heading toward the door in angry strides.

I heaved a sigh of relief. 11 would be wonderful if he could just stay out of my sight the entire time we were there, but I didn‘t think that was possible Vanessa seemned clearly displeased with Augustus scolding her son. I noticed her prodding James‘s shoulder, hoping that he would speak for their son, but James stayed silent. I could see the disapproval on his face, yet he didn‘t dare stand up to the old man. Augustus Winton was the head of the family, the one in charge of everything and every member of his family... except for Aren. It must have been really pissing him off that he needed to suck up to his grandson to get a better position on the market. Of course, I couldn‘t be any less sorry for any of them. They were a truly “lovely”

family––they practically kicked out Aren themselves, and then they blamed him for doing fine while being independent.

The rest of the dinner passed with a few words said only. Aren barely spared a glance at his family, giving his attention solely to me. It was embarrassing at times, like when he tried to feed me while others were looking at us grimacing in disgust, but mostly, his attention made my heart flutter. He kept looking at me with caring eyes, completely different from the cold or indifferent gazes he spared his grandfather, father, and Vanessa.

“Thank you for the meal,” he said, standing up and taking my hand.

“W–wait!” Augustus exclaimed nervously. “You‘re not thinking of leaving now, are you? How about you spend a night here? We could drink some more... talk about the recent ventures...”

Aren smirked coldly before looking at me. “What do you say, beautiful?”

I knew he would ask me that question. He knew how uncomfortable I felt around Callan. If I didn‘t feel that I could handle seeing more of him, this was my time to get us out of there. But that would make me a coward, and I would also ruin Aren‘s chances to get proof of his mother‘s being murdered.

I patted Aren‘s shoulder and smiled. “If Grandfather asks us to stay, then we should.”

“Perfect!” the old man clapped his hands. “I will tell the servants to prepare a room for you upstairs.”

***

I was tired. Sitting at that stiff dinner exhausted me more than the last three days of dealing with Lan Diamond Corporation‘s hacker crisis. Aren left to have a drink with his grandfather while I couldn‘t wait to jump under the shower and then hop to bed... The problem was, there was only one bed in that giant bedroom we were given. Well, it shouldn‘t be too awkward to sleep in a king–size bed together when we

spent the previous night glued together on a narrow sofa, yet the last night sort of happened, and this was a deliberate consent. A blush formed on my cheeks while I stared at the bed. I felt anxious and excited at the same time... but I freaked out once I opened my suitcase. There was only one wearable nightgown packed for me, and it was made of black, almost see–through silk. What had happened to my safe oversized T–shirt?! I cursed under my breath, swearing that it was the last time that I allowed someone else to choose what to pack into my bag. I washed my irritation under the shower. Then I blow– dried my hair and got dressed in that

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sexy black piece of silk with thin shoulder straps. I had to admit that I started to anticipate the moment Aren saw me in it... I smiled wickedly, staring at myself in the mirror when I heard the click of the door lock. I froze. I closed the door from the inside, and Aren was supposed to knock three times for me to open it. Chills ran down my spine. As I slowly stepped out of the bathroom and entered the room, I swallowed in fear. “What the hell are you doing here, Callan?”