Chapter 213
Before he could process the rejection, Isla shot to her feet so quickly
that her chair screeched against the floor, wobbling precariously. She
nearly stumbled into the coffee table, her movements clumsy and
frantic, and her sudden outburst was barely above a whisper. !
“No.”
Graham stared at her, the single word echoing in his mind, louder
than any shout. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Isla, his
Isla, the girl he had rescued from the brink, the one he had just
offered the world to, had said no.
“No, thank you,” she continued, her voice trembling yet resolute, as
though the words cost her everything she had. Her teary eyes locked
on his, shimmering with unshed tears that made her look
heartbreakingly innocent. “I’m just not desperate enough to belong
somewhere to accept a marriage without love.”
The words were a dagger to his pride, and Graham felt his jaw tighten
as he processed what she had just said. Without love? Did she not
understand what he was offering her? This wasn’t just some
transaction–it was a promise, a lifetime of security, devotion, and
care. He could give her everything she’d ever wanted, everything she
didn’t even know she needed, and yet she was refusing him?
1/4
Chapter 213
As she turned to leave, something primal flared within him, a surge of
possessiveness that overrode any rational thought. His voice came
out low, commanding, and unyielding.
“You are not going anywhere. Sit down.”
The authority in his tone froze her mid–step. Isla’s shoulders tensed,
E her small frame rigid as she stood there, torn between defiance and
submission. He could see the war waging within her, the way her
delicate features twisted in conflict. A vein throbbed at her temple, a
telling sign of her inner struggle.
4
For a moment, he thought she might challenge him, might summon
the courage to defy him outright and walk out that door. But then, as though the weight of his presence bore down on her, Isla slowly
turned and sank back into her chair.
Her tears threatened to spill over, her lower lip trembling as she
crossed her arms protectively over herself. She looked so small, so
vulnerable, like a doe caught in the glare of a predator’s eyes. And
yet, even now, there was a flicker of defiance in her pouty expression,
a hint of the strength she didn’t yet realize she possessed.
Graham leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he fixed
her with an unrelenting gaze. His dark eyes bore into hers, the
intensity of his presence filling the room.
214
Chapter 213
“Isla,” he began, his voice softer but no less commanding, “you don’t understand what I’m offering you. This isn’t just about belonging or convenience. This is about me giving you the life you deserve. You think love is the only thing that matters, but love grows, Isla. It’s nurtured, built over time. And I promise you, I’ll be everything you’ll ever need. You won’t just belong; you’ll be cherished.”
He reached for her hand again, and though she flinched, this time she didn’t pull away. His fingers enveloped hers, his grip firm but not
forceful.
“Look at me,” he urged, and when her teary blue eyes met his, he felt something shift inside him. “I won’t let you walk away from this. From me. You belong here, with me, and I’ll prove it to you every
single day if I have to.”
His words hung in the air, a mixture of arrogance and conviction. He
was Graham Lancaster, a man used to getting what he wanted, and
right now, he wanted Isla.
Comments
Write Comments
3/4
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
