The room held a stillness, one that felt as if even the walls were waiting for something unsaid. Alina's father finally broke the silence with a voice so composed it made her shoulders tense.
"Your mother must have already spoken to you about it… but I'll say it myself now. We want you to get married, Alina. Soon."
Alina took in a sharp breath, her brows knitting together before she let out a long, heavy sigh. She rolled her eyes with a mixture of disbelief and exhaustion, looking at her father with a trace of hurt behind her strong exterior.
"Dad… do you really want me to get married? Why? What have I done?"
Her father leaned forward, eyes soft but laced with an old-fashioned sense of duty. "You haven't done anything, Alina. Nothing wrong. But we're thinking about your safety, your future. You're living all alone , working a little job in a quiet library that doesn't even offer a stable income. You're in your twenties now… you should have someone by your side. Someone to protect you."
She shook her head slowly. "So that's what it is? Protection? Safety? You think I'm in danger just because I chose a simple life?"
He sighed. "It's not just that. You deserve more than this, Alina. You're smart, beautiful, and independent, but sometimes… independence doesn't guarantee security. I have some excellent marriage proposals. Men who are wealthy, successful, stable—men like your father. If you agree to marry now, you'll finally be settled. You'll be free."
There was a long pause. And then came her quiet, unshaken voice—soft but filled with fire.
"Dad… I'm happy."
He blinked at her, unsure if he heard her right.
"I'm happy with my life. I'm happy with my job, with my tiny home, with the books I hold every day. I'm happy with whatever little I earn and however little I spend. I've built this life on my own… why can't you just be proud of that?"
Her voice cracked a little. "My marriage has always been a business deal for you, hasn't it? Just another deal for your reputation. Just another contract. But I'm not ready. And that's the only thing I have left to say."
Silence.
Thick, suffocating silence.
Her mother, who had been watching quietly until now, suddenly snapped, her voice like a whip. "You should learn to respect your father's decisions! What kind of daughter talks like this?"
Alina's lips trembled but she didn't reply. Evander, standing in the corner like a statue, looked sharply toward her mother, but said nothing. His eyes, however, screamed volumes.
Her father gently placed a hand over hers, trying to soften his approach. "Alina… I hope you'll at least think about what I said. I can't let you live like this forever. You're my daughter. And I will not leave you to fend for yourself forever."
Her eyes welled up, tears sliding down quietly. And without another word, she got up and walked out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the marble corridor.
As Evander turned to follow her, her father raised a hand, stopping him. "Wait. I need a word."
Evander turned back slowly, confused but attentive.
"You're the one who lives next to Alina, right?" her father asked.
"Uh… yes. But we don't live together, sir. We're just neighbors. You could say… good friends."
"Then why are you doing this?" her father asked abruptly.
Evander blinked. "I-I'm sorry… doing what?"
"That deal," her father's tone hardened. "The one you made… for Alina. Why did you do that?"
There was a moment of complete stillness. Evander hesitated, then straightened his shoulders. "Because I didn't want her to be married off to someone she doesn't know… or love. That's all."
"Does she love you?" he shot back. "Do you love her? Because if the answer is no to both… then take your deal back. I have already arranged a powerful alliance for her. A match that benefits my business."
Evander looked him dead in the eye, unflinching. "I didn't make the deal for fun, sir. I want her. I'm serious. Maybe she isn't ready yet… but I know you aren't doing this for her happiness. You're trying to sell her to save your reputation, your empire."
A heavy silence fell between them again.
Her father, now speechless, stared at the floor. No rebuttal.
Evander stepped closer. "I know about your arrangement. I know about the proposal. And I know what I told your wife." He paused. "I'll give you whatever amount you ask for. Whatever you want in exchange. But remember two things—first, don't you dare tell Alina about this deal. And second, don't you dare try to destroy it either. If you do… I'll forget how to respect older people."
Without waiting for a reply, Evander turned and walked out.
Outside, Alina was sitting in the back seat of his car, her face turned toward the window, eyes hollow and empty. She didn't look up when he slid into the driver's seat.
"Shall we go, Miss Hart?" he asked with a smirk, trying to lighten the air. "Or… do you want to spend more time in your dad's lovely little mansion?"
"Let's just get out of here," she whispered. "I don't want to stay here. Not even for a moment."
"Alright, alright," he said with a teasing shrug, and started the car.
The road was dark and silent. Trees blurred past. Streetlights flickered in patterns. And still, Alina said nothing for miles.
Then softly, she asked, "Why did you take so long back there? What were you two talking about?"
Evander glanced at her. His expression flickered. "Nothing much. Just his… business offers."
"Really?" Her tone was quiet but sharp. "That's all?"
"Yeah. Any doubts?"
She looked at him for a second longer but then turned back to the window. "No."
After hours, they finally arrived at their apartment. Alina stepped out slowly, clearly exhausted, her steps heavier than usual. Evander noticed how she pressed her fingers against her forehead.
"Hey—wait, let me get the door."
He opened it gently for her and led her inside.
"Sit down. You look like you've been carrying the weight of the universe."
He disappeared into the kitchen and returned moments later with a cup of warm coffee. "Here. Might help your headache."
She took it with a faint smile and mumbled a soft thanks before resting back in the chair. Within minutes, her eyes fluttered shut, the exhaustion overpowering her.
Evander quietly walked to her side. She looked so fragile, so small in that moment, it melted something in him. Carefully, he lifted her into his arms, cradling her like something rare and sacred. He placed her gently on the bed, brushing away the hair stuck to her forehead.
Then, without even realizing it, he sat on the floor beside her bed, his hand resting gently over hers.
He watched her face as her breathing deepened. His own eyes began to close, but he didn't move.
And in that soft, moonlit silence…
He fell asleep too—still holding her hand.