Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
The doorbell's relentless chime clawed Cecilia out of sleep. She groaned, burrowing deeper into the silk sheets.
After Liam left last night, exhaustion had dragged her under for a full twenty-four hours.
Probably still paying for that damn night, she thought bitterly.
She grumbled as she sat up, but moved too fast--
Thud.
Her head spun, and her legs gave out beneath her. She hit the ground hard.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
The doorbell never stopped.
Gritting her teeth, she rubbed her throbbing knee and stumbled to the foyer.
The mirror showed a sleep-tangled mess, hair in a riot, last night's smudged mascara.
And now, the face glaring back from her smart doorbell was the last person she wanted to see--
Edward Martin.
"Cecilia. Open. The. Door." The voice outside was low and angry.
Each word punched through the wood. She inhaled sharply, then twisted the knob.
Slap----
Before she could even register his presence, a loud slap landed on her cheek.
Edward's palm cracked across her cheek with enough force to snap her head sideways.
She staggered, the metallic tang of blood flooding her mouth. A thin red line streaked down her chin.
Cool fingers swiped it away. She lifted her gaze, meeting Edward's fury with icy detachment. "What's got you so worked up this time, sir?"
"Where is he?" Edward shoved past her into the apartment.
The space was sterile--no scattered shoes, no second coffee cup. Just silence.
Cecilia ran her tongue over her split lip, watching Edward with cold amusement. "Who exactly are you looking for?"
"It's best if no one else is here! Come back with me, now!"
After a thorough sweep of the apartment confirmed they were alone, Edward seized her wrist and yanked her toward the door.
She wrenched free, rubbing the reddened skin. "Why would I do that?"
"You will call the press," he hissed, "and announce your wedding to Ronald. The ceremony proceeds next month. Consider your...recent antics forgiven."
"Sir," Cecilia tilted her head, "How old are you? Are you already senile? I thought I told the whole world at the engagement party! RONALD BETRAYED ME!"
"I DON'T CARE! The merger between MT Group and DV Group is happening--with or without your enthusiasm. Even if you have to fake it, you will play the happy wife."
"Classic you." Cecilia shrugged off her coat and pointed to the marriage certificate sitting by the door. "But if you don't mind me committing bigamy, you're welcome to deliver me to Ronald yourself."
"Marriage can be annulled."
She laughed coldly. "Too bad. I will only have one marriage in my life. I am not you, dear father."
"I told you--" He stepped closer, shadow swallowing her. "I can give you everything, or I can leave you with nothing."
"Oh? What did you give me?" She spread her arms. "Aside from this apartment, what exactly do I have left?"
"Keep testing me, and you'll lose even this."
Their gazes locked. The air turned to ice.
"Let's be clear, Cecilia." Edward's finger jabbed her shoulder. "Every friend, every stitch of clothing, every breath you take--it's all because I allow it. WITHOUT ME, YOU'RE NOTHING."
"Is that so?"
A new voice cut through the silence, dark and lethal.
Cecilia's breath hitched.
Liam stood in the doorway, his presence rippling through the room like a blade unsheathed.