"Aurora, the veil—" Daisy’s steps stopped the moment her eyes landed on the man she was hoping never to meet again.
Her throat tightened. For a split second, the boutique, the mirrors, the lace, everything around her blurred into nothing but him.
"Get me my phone..." she hissed under her breath, rushing Aurora, who still stood frozen in place. Daisy’s eyes flicked urgently toward her handbag, but Aurora didn’t move, her knuckles white where they clutched the fabric she’d been holding.
George’s voice cut through the silence, smooth yet heavy enough to press the air flat. "Ah, you look so pretty in that dress." He stepped closer, his smile curving sharp. "But sadly... not for me."
"No, stop!" Aurora suddenly moved, planting herself in front of Daisy, summoning every ounce of courage she had. "You should’ve just ac—accept it. Daisy is not for you."
George chuckled low, leaning slightly to peer around her. "Ah, that’s cute. You and your best friend... both are cute."
Aurora straightened her shoulders, though Daisy could see the tremor in her friend’s arms. "Stay behind me," Aurora whispered without looking back.
George’s smirk only widened as he tilted his head, studying them like a predator humoring prey that had nowhere left to run.
"You think standing there will stop me?" His voice dropped low, almost playful. "You’re brave, Aurora... braver than I thought. But bravery without power is just... decoration." Latest content published on noᴠelfire.net
Daisy’s pulse hammered in her ears. She tried again, desperate, "Aurora, the phone—"
Too late. George’s gaze snapped back to her, sharp and unblinking.
"There it is," he murmured, as if savoring the moment. "The look I’ve missed."
Daisy swallowed hard, forcing herself not to shrink back. "What do you want?"
George took a single step closer, and the sound of his shoes clicking against the boutique floor sent goosebumps to the both of them.
"What I’ve always wanted." His eyes glinted. "You."
Aurora tightened her stance, blocking him. "Pathetic, just because you couldn’t get her, you wanted to force someone?"
His eyes flicked up, narrowing. "So the quiet little shadow finally bites. Aurora Williams, I didn’t know you had it in you."
"Mind your words." Daisy cut through the tension, pulling Aurora to her side. She lowered her voice, whispering, "Just stay quiet. I’ll call security, he should be nearby—"
"Do you mean that pale-faced man?" George interrupted, his chuckle low and mocking. "I sent him away."
Daisy held Aurora’s hand tighter, she gulped while taking a step back.
George’s smile lingered as he tilted his head, studying Daisy as though she were a puzzle piece that had slipped from his grasp.
"You know, when we met at your old house, I regretted playing the good guy..." His tone dropped, lower, heavier, as he took a slow step closer.
He paused, letting the silence hang before closing more of the distance.
"I should’ve just kidnapped you that day," he murmured, almost conversational, though his eyes gleamed with something darker. "After all, considering you were supposed to be mine from the beginning... it’s not like I’d be doing anything wrong. Right?"
"I’m not an object," Daisy shot back, though her voice wavered.
George’s smile widened, clearly amused by her protest. "Well... I know... but I’ve already spoken to your guardian. They agreed to our arrangement long ago. So the first thing we’ll need to do, before you even try on your wedding dress... is get that little marriage of yours with Kingsley annulled."
"For as far as I remember, my guardian is lying in a hospital bed, unable to even speak. Apart from him, I don’t have any other guardian..." Daisy forced the words out, swallowing hard.
George leaned back, his tone soft but unsettling. "You know, Daisy, I’m doing this for your own good. Theo? He can’t protect you. But if you marry me, I’ll make sure no one lays a finger on you... not even Kennedy."
Daisy chuckled, then burst into sharp, incredulous laughter. "What a joke... ’not even Kennedy’? You’re making arrangements with Kennedy to marry me, and now you expect me to believe you’ll protect me from them?"
George didn’t flinch at her words. If anything, his expression softened, though the smile never left his lips. "You’re right. Kennedy, you know them... they just want something from our marriage. That’s exactly why you need me." His voice dropped lower, more deliberate, as if he was explaining something to a child. "Theo’s strong, yes but he plays fair. Too fair. He wouldn’t cross the line, even if it meant protecting you. But me..." George leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering. "I know how to keep the wolves at bay. I’ll use their own teeth against them if I have to."
Daisy’s laughter died, her chest heaving as she glared at him. "And in return, I’m the prize on the table?"
"You’re not a prize," George said smoothly, leaning forward now, his eyes sharp. "You’re the only thing that matters. Kennedy wants you to obey because they want to destroy what’s left of your father. But me?" He paused, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "I want you for you. Even if the path to keeping you safe is... unpleasant."
Daisy stiffened. There was no mistaking the glint in his eyes, obsession wrapped in reason, a man convincing himself that his grip was salvation rather than chains.
George took a step closer, his voice deceptively gentle. "You think I’m the villain here, Daisy, but I’m the only one willing to do what it takes. Theo will fight for you, yes... but only within the lines. I don’t believe in lines when it comes to you." His gaze flicked briefly to Aurora, then back, pinning Daisy where she stood. "With me, you’ll be untouchable. Even Kennedy will bow, because I’ll make them."
His hand twitched as though tempted to reach for her, but he held back, a smile curving with unsettling patience. "I don’t care if you hate me now. Hate can change. Fear can change. What matters is that you’ll be mine because it’s the only way to keep you safe."
Daisy let out a sharp laugh, though it trembled at the edges. "You’re full of nonsense, George. Dress it up however you want, it’s still just chains with prettier names."
"Careful, Daisy," he said quietly, his voice smooth as velvet, but weighted with something darker beneath. "You can laugh at me, call it nonsense if you like... but I don’t mind reminding you how serious I am."
His smile lingered, almost tender, yet his eyes told another story. He leaned closer, close enough that his words brushed against her ear.
"Willingly follow me," he whispered, gentle as a coaxing lover, "or I’ll have to take you myself. Either way, you’re leaving with me."