MALIA’S POV

There was a pause, and then he added, almost as an afterthought, "But so is responsibility. I hope you’re ready for that, Malia."

It was clear now. This wasn’t about me or Zach. This was about control. His father was testing me, trying to see if I understood my place in their world—a world of wealth, power, and influence. A world where love wasn’t the priority, but rather a tool to be used to secure alliances, and strengthen legacies. He wanted to know if I could handle that, if I was willing to play by their rules.

I straightened my back, meeting his gaze head-on. "I’ve been ready...