Chapter 25

• "War is coming."
• Ricardo’s words hung in the air like a cold wind, sending a shiver racing down Clara’s spine. She stood frozen in the grand hallway of the Costa estate, her heart thudding loudly in her chest. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. The marriage—the one she’d been forced into—was meant to stop the war. That was the whole point. She was supposed to be the truce, the bridge between two families, the thing that kept the peace. So why did it feel like everything was falling apart? Why did it feel like something far worse was creeping closer, something she couldn’t escape?
• Clara took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, forcing herself to stand tall. She wouldn’t let Ricardo see how much his words shook her. She couldn’t give him that power. “You forced me into this marriage to secure peace,” she said, her voice firm despite the tremor she felt inside. “Now you’re telling me war is inevitable? That doesn’t make sense.”