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I went to my office, where Trevor was waiting. He studied my face before speaking.

“You locked her in?” I nodded, and Trevor sighed. “Ronan, forcing her into marriage after everything that happened between you could destroy whatever chance you have of repairing things with her. You could lose her completely.”

I nodded again.

He looked at me carefully. “Then why are you doing this? You can’t protect someone by taking away every choice they have.”

I walked toward the window and looked down at the city. “Because Sokolov already proved he can reach her. If I give him another opportunity, I may not get her back next time.”

Trevor didn’t argue again. After he left, I returned to my desk and found the sonogram image Dr. Lowry had left behind. I picked it up and stared at the small, indistinct shape on the screen. It was difficult to understand that something so small could change the meaning of my entire life. My fear wasn’t about what someone could take from me. It was about losing someone I’d finally found.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sofia

Three days after Ronan trapped me in his penthouse, I woke up on my wedding day. I actually couldn’t help chuckling at the absurdity of it all. All I’d ever done was spend my life pursuing the truth about my parents’ murder.

I never dreamed the answer would lead me back to the man I thought I loved, the man who was becoming my husband before I’d decided whether I could forgive him.

Of course, I was getting married because Ronan said so. There was no romance, no celebration, and definitely no choice. Nora got there early to help me get ready. She was very careful around me. .

“Don’t pretend you’re happy,” she quietly said as she fixed my veil. “I know you aren’t. And you don’t have to forgive him today.”

I watched my own reflection’s troubled face next to hers. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive him.”

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Whatever reason he’s doing this…Sofia, his feelings can’t be fake.”

I looked away. “That’s not the point.”

Leigh arrived minutes later, and as expected, wasted no time in attacking the situation.

“This is ridiculous, Sofia,” she exclaimed as soon as she walked through the door. “How can you just let him do this? Let him take your life out from under you?”

“Evidently, you don’t know him too well.” I managed a faint smile.

“He can’t dictate something that affects you so deeply.” Leigh looked away, then turned to me and gently took my hands. “I hate this for you, but I’m here.” Her words eased a pain deep in my heart.

O’Connor security guarded the imposing cathedral as we walked in through one of its side entrances. Not that it mattered, since every corner of the place was swarming with the O’Connor guard.

This wedding would be private, confidential, and the only guests would be those Ronan deemed acceptable. I walked down the aisle, and at the altar I saw Ronan waiting for me, perfectly clad in a black suit that highlighted his imposing frame.

As expected, his gaze instantly fell on mine, and for a couple of minutes, no one made a sound. I tried to remember the warmth in the man who I’d once thought I loved unconditionally.

He took a deep breath as I neared him, and then he outstretched his hand toward mine. I paused and looked directly into his eyes. For a second, time stopped and a single image flashed in my head: the burning remnants of my old house. All I could hear in my head was, you’ll regret this.

I took a deep breath and slowly took hold of his hand as our wedding ceremony began. All I could do was stare ahead, trapped in the hands of the man who’d ripped my life apart.

I was his wife now, and there was nothing I could do but wait and plan my revenge. The cathedral was quieter than I’d expected. There were no flowers covering every surface and no musicians playing something beautiful. Everything about the ceremony had been arranged with the same efficiency that seemed to govern every part of Ronan’s life.

Earlier, Ronan had introduced me to his family. Sean O’Connor was the first. He’d studied me with a calm expression that gave nothing away.

Liam was different. He’d looked almost amused by the entire situation, and there was something in his expression that suggested Ronan’s sudden marriage offered entertainment he hadn’t expected.

Phil O’Connor had approached us last. He was charming in a way that made him immediately easier to speak to than the others, but I’d noticed how carefully he observed me, trying to figure out what I was hiding. I was unhappy, and there was no point pretending otherwise.

I focused on getting through the ceremony without allowing my emotions to overwhelm me. I kept my attention on the priest and listened to the words without allowing myself to think too deeply about what they meant. Ronan stood beside me, perfectly composed.

At least, that was what he wanted everyone to believe. I noticed his jaw tightening whenever someone moved near the entrance. His attention went to the doors several times, and even while standing beside me, he seemed aware of everything happening around us. He positioned himself close enough that his shoulder occasionally brushed mine, yet he never appeared to do it deliberately.