For a long moment, Alex just… stared.
She waited for the punchline. The dry smile. The sarcastic raise of her father’s brow that always came when he said something outrageous.
But it never came.
Luca stood perfectly still—his hands clasped behind his back, his jaw locked, eyes unwavering.
“Wait,” she said, lips curling into a grin. “You’re serious?”
Silence.
Alex burst into laughter.
It came out sharp, a little breathless. “That’s a good one. You’ve got a pretty dry sense of humor, Dad. I’ll give you that.”
Still, no smile.
Nova stood to the side, quiet, eyes lowered. Luca didn’t flinch.
And that’s when the realization hit her.
He wasn’t joking.
“You’re serious?” Her voice rose. “You’re actually standing there, in the twenty-first century, telling me I need to marry someone I don’t know to take over the company?”
“It’s not—”
“You do realize arranged marriage is, like, a last-century thing, right?” she snapped, stepping back. “Like, completely outdated and illegal in some places?”
Luca sighed, but didn’t retreat. “It’s not about tradition. It’s about structure. It’s about protection. And you don’t need to decide today.”
“Oh, gee, thanks.” She threw her arms in the air. “So generous of you.”
“We’re not trying to control you,” Nova said gently.
“No? Then what is this?” Her voice cracked now, emotions bubbling over. “You’re holding my dream hostage unless I tie myself to some random man you both approve of.”
“It won’t be random,” Luca said calmly. “We watched him thoroughly. He comes from a background that complements yours. You’ll be—”
Alex scoffed. “Oh, complements. Great. So, someone with more money than sense and a fake smile. Fantastic.”
“You’ll have partnership. Stability. Someone to support you,” Luca continued. “It’s not a trap, Alex. It’s a foundation.”
“I don’t need a man to support me,” she snapped. “I support myself. I always have. I don’t need a partner. I need space.”
Nova stepped forward. “We’re trying to think ahead. To protect your future.”
“What about my present? Huh? Do I even get a say in that?”
“We just want to ensure your safety, your happiness—”
“Oh my God, stop saying that!” Alex shouted. “If you wanted me happy, you’d trust me. You’d trust that I can build my life without being someone’s bride first!”
Luca’s jaw tightened.
But Nova’s voice stayed soft. “You don’t see it now, but one day—”
“Don’t.” Alex’s chest rose and fell rapidly. “Don’t tell me I’ll ‘understand one day.’ Don’t tell me I’ll be grateful. You don’t get to dictate my life and then act like it’s love.”
“Alex,” Nova tried again, reaching toward her.
Alex stepped back.
“I can’t do this right now.”
She turned and stormed past them, heels clacking sharply against the polished floors. She didn’t look back as she snatched her phone from the table, yanked open the door, and walked out into the night.
***
An hour later, she stood in the shadow of an alley just off 38th Street, arms crossed, hood pulled up. A single dim streetlamp buzzed overhead, casting a golden haze across the cracked pavement.
Michael arrived five minutes late, jogged the last few steps to meet her, and pulled her into a hug.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low.
“No,” she muttered into his chest. “Not even close.”
He pulled back slightly. “What happened?”
She exhaled, shaky. “They offered me the company.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “I was this close to saying yes. It was everything I wanted. Everything I’ve worked for.”
“So… what’s the problem?”
“There’s a condition,” she said bitterly. “Of course there’s a condition.”
“What kind?”
She looked at him, deadpan. “An arranged marriage.”
Michael’s smile dropped instantly. “What?”
“They want to arrange a marriage for me. Some perfect business match. Like we’re in some royal court.”
Michael stepped back, arms folded tightly. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish.”
“They actually expect you to go along with that?”
Alex didn’t answer.
Michael swore under his breath. “That’s insane.”
“I know.”
“No. Like actually crazy. You can’t be okay with that, right?”
“Of course I’m not okay with it!” she snapped. “I stormed out! I yelled, I threw a fit—God, I’m still shaking.”
Michael stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Then don’t do it.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Yes, it is. Say no.”
“If I say no, I lose the company.”
“Then screw the company.”
She stared at him.
He shook his head. “I’m serious. I love you, Alex, but I’m not sharing you with someone else. Even if it’s just on paper. Even if it’s ‘strategic.’ If they want to bind you to someone for security, then what the hell does that make me?”
“I can’t tell them about you,” she whispered.
“Why not?”
“Because they’d never approve. They’d think you’re beneath me.”
Michael flinched. “Nice.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Yeah, you did.” He looked away. “You’ve thought it before, haven’t you?”
She didn’t answer.
He backed away. “You know what? Maybe I’m the idiot here. Thinking we could actually work.”
“Michael, wait—”
“No. I get it. I do. You want everything. The company, the power, the guy who’s good enough for your parents and still makes your heart race. But newsflash, Alex—those two don’t always come in the same person.”
She rubbed her eyes, trying to stop the tears from spilling. “I’m not choosing someone else over you. I’m trying not to lose everything.”
“You already are,” he said softly.
And then he left.
The alley was too quiet after that.
Alex stayed where she was, arms wrapped around herself, the air suddenly cold.
Her mind spiraled again.
Everything felt too loud, too fast, too much.
She squeezed her eyes shut—and suddenly, a memory flashed:
***
Sixteen years old. Gun range. Ear protection muffling the world around her. The weight of the pistol in her hands too heavy, her grip too shaky.
Luca stood behind her, steady and patient.
“Hold it tighter,” he said, adjusting her arms. “Relax your shoulders. Focus on your breathing.”
She exhaled. Concentrated.
“Now.”
She fired.
The bullet struck dead center.
She gasped.
“Yes!” Luca shouted, scooping her up with a laugh. “That’s my girl!”
“Put me down, I’m not a kid!”
“You’ll always be my kid.”
She laughed too then, flushed with pride, still clutching the gun.
It had made her feel strong. Powerful. Like she could hit any target life threw at her.
***
Back in the alley, Alex blinked as the memory faded.
But this time... it didn’t make her feel better.
Not stronger.
Just… lonelier.