Collateral Hearts : The Marriage Bargain The Defiant Stand

Allina Hartwell

“I’m not marrying him,”

Allina Hartwell

I said, louder this time. The man beside me, whose presence felt like a shadow, finally raised his head.

Nicholas Hartwell

“Allina!” (Sharp, seething)

Victoria Hartwell

(Mother squeezes Allina’s hand under the table)

Victoria Hartwell

“Allina, please...” (Pleading, eyes filled with concern)

Allina Hartwell

(Yanks her hand away, anger rising) “How could you not tell me about this? You expect me to marry someone I’ve never even spoken to?!”

Nicholas Hartwell

(Grits teeth, struggling to control his rage) “It’s your duty, Allina. Don’t make a scene.”

Allina Hartwell

(Scoffs, shaking her head) “A scene? You didn’t even ask what I wanted! And now you’re just expecting me to fall in line?”

Ethan Blackwood

“Quite the family drama. I didn’t realize I’d be the reason for such a lively conversation.” (Sarcastic, leaning back in his chair)

Allina Hartwell

(Glares at him, her voice dripping with anger) “Don’t flatter yourself. You’re just another stranger in this joke of a situation.”

Ethan Blackwood

(Chuckles softly, unfazed) “Believe me, this joke’s on both of us.”

Allina Hartwell

(Frustrated, stands up abruptly) “Then why are we even here? What’s the point of this charade?”

Nicholas Hartwell

(Snaps, voice cold and authoritative) “Sit down, Allina. This isn’t up for discussion. You will marry him."

Allina Hartwell

(Turns to her father, fury burning in her eyes) “No, I won’t. You can’t just sell me off like some business transaction!”

Ethan Blackwood

(Ethan, observing with mild amusement, leans forward)

Nicholas Hartwell

"Do not behave like this in front of Mr. Blackwood." (turning to Ethan) "My apologies." (though the tone lacked sincerity)

Ethan Blackwood

(shrugging, unfazed) "Relax. You'll survive. It's just a marriage, not the end of the world."

Allina Hartwell

(Narrows her eyes, venom in her voice) “Says the man who thinks everything can be solved with a smirk and a paycheck.”

Ethan Blackwood

*Smirk* “You’d be surprised how often that works.”