"What about the alliance?" she asked, grasping at strategy, at logic, at anything to make this make sense. "Our families control ninety percent of the eastern territories together. If we don't marry, if the arrangement falls apart...."
"Then we'll find another way to maintain the alliance. A business partnership. Shared territories. Whatever works." Dimitri's expression softened, just slightly. "I'm not your enemy, Isabella. I don't want to hurt you or your family. But I won't marry you. Not now. Not ever."
"Because you love her."
"Yes."
Isabella turned away, walking back to the window, needing distance to process.
She'd prepared for many scenarios. Dimitri being difficult. Negotiating new terms. Even outright rejection.
But she hadn't prepared for this....for him being so completely, irrevocably in love with someone else that there was no room for negotiation at all.
"Your father won't accept this," she said finally.
"I don't need his acceptance."
