Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Raven Qing was not a man to fear little things, he knew his value and his worth but now as he walked into the coffee shop that she had chosen he realized he was a little apprehensive,this meeting was testing the bonds of his relationship with Fiona and his father, the two parts of his life that he didn't want together in any circumstances.

As he sat at the corner table of the café trying not to show his frustration while stirring his cup of coffee absentmindedly he wondered what the hell he was supposed to doh. He was not going to drink it anyway so he left it there but as the minutes ticked by, his irritation grew with each passing second.

Mirabelle was late, as usual when she wanted to be a pain in the ass.

She thrived on making him wait, knowing it grated on his nerves, she did it to prove she was above him, that she had a higher ground of bargaining than he did. She wasn't completely wrong.

He glanced around the café, observing the polished wood paneling, the soft lighting, and the quiet hum of conversation. He used it to settle himself trying to decide what to do about this situation.
The turmoil inside him had his thoughts in a spin,his thoughts drifted to Fiona, and a pang of guilt twisted his stomach.

Was he wrong to have done this to her, married her knowing they would be no future for either one of them.

He hated hiding their marriage, but it was the only way to protect her from his father’s ruthless ambitions, and truthfully he never wanted to be married in the first place and he still wasn't sure if he still wanted to be married at all.


The bell above the door chimed, and Raven’s eyes snapped to the entrance.

Mirabelle strode in, tossing her hair over her shoulders with every step giving off the confidence that came with having lots of money.

She wore a fitted blue dress that clung to her curves, her hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders as she walked to him smiling softly as she shoved herself into a seat.
Her eyes met his, and she smirked, clearly enjoying his discomfort and annoyance.

“Raven,” she greeted, sliding into the seat opposite him.


" Hope you didn't wait too long" she asked and he remained silent
“You look tense. Bad day" she asked and he shrugged

“You’re late,” he replied curtly, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
She shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Traffic, you know how it is.” she muttered and he shrugged
" Well I'm glad you're here,can we talk now" she stilled

" Wouldn't you like something to eat, I am peckish " she mumbled and he sighed

" Place your order" he huffed and she smiled leaning back into her chair she called for the waiter. She was slow at it too, he could see the frustration on her face written clearly it echoed what he was feeling perfectly.

Raven leaned forward, his expression hard.
“Cut the crap, Mirabelle. Why did you approach Fiona?”

Mirabelle’s smile widened, a predatory gleam in her eyes. “Ah, straight to the point. I like that. " She turned to the waitress and finished her order and then turned back to him
" Fiona is a lovely woman, isn’t she? So sweet and unsuspecting.” she mumbled softly looking away from him

“Leave her out of this,” Raven warned, his voice low and dangerous.

Mirabelle laughed, a sound that sent chills down his spine.

“Oh, Raven, you’re so protective. It’s adorable, I've never seen you like this before it make me jealous I must admit" she mumbled leaning over the table

" But let’s be honest, she is a pawn in this game. She always was"
" What do you want " he asked her, the waitress brought her drink and she sipped from it and looked away from him
" You know what I want.”

Raven’s jaw tightened, he didn't want to let her dictate his responses
“What do you want, Mirabelle?” he asked one last time , she sipped her drink and leaned back, crossing her legs and regarding him with a smug expression.

“Marriage. You and me, just like our families always wanted. Think about it, Raven. Our union would be unstoppable. Wealth, power, influence—all within our grasp.” she wasn't wrong, joining the Hale's fortune to the Qing would be a coup d'etat but added with the fortune from his own business then they would be unstoppable. But he wasn't really bothered by any of that. His goal had never been marriage

He shook his head, anger at being cornered simmering just beneath the surface.
“I’m not marrying you. That’s not happening.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
“You don’t have a choice, Raven. Marry me, or I’ll tell your father about out little miss Fiona.” she mumbled

Raven’s heart pounded in his chest.
“You wouldn’t dare.” he growled and she laughed then stopped all of a sudden

Her smile was cold and calculating.
“Try me."
She leaned back from him

" Your father would be very interested to know about your secret wife. I can only imagine his reaction. Do you think he’d let Fiona get away with seducing his heir ? Do you think he’d spare her?” she asked with the assurance of someone who knew they were right.

And she was right. If my father found out about her then it would be finished. There was no way he would let her survive

Raven’s fists clenched under the table.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Mirabelle.”

She shrugged again, unperturbed.
“I’m simply giving you options. Marry me, and Fiona stays safe. Refuse, and I’ll make sure your father knows everything. It’s your call.”
Raven took a deep breath. “I can’t marry you, Mirabelle.”

" Don't tell me you love her " she scoffed and he froze
" The great Raven Qing in love that's a load of crap" she muttered looking him dead in the eye

Mirabelle’s smile faded, replaced by a look of cold determination.
“I am warning you, Raven. If you’re not with me, you’re against me.”

" And i can promise you that you you fo not want to be against me" she muttered

Raven stared at her, his mind racing. He couldn’t let his father find out about Fiona.

But marrying Mirabelle was unthinkable. She was manipulative, deceitful, everything he despised in a woman but most of all he had the sinking feeling in his gut that Mirabelle was right. He was falling in love with Fiona Hardin,that was a mistake in and if itself. He was not a man meant to have love in his life that was not an emotion he could cope with and yet he was certain he felt it


“I need time,” he said finally, his voice strained.

Mirabelle tilted her head, feigning consideration that she most certainly would not give
“I’ll give you until the end of the week. After that, I go to your father.”

Raven stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
“This isn’t over.”

Mirabelle smiled sweetly rising from her seat
“Of course not, darling. I’ll be waiting for your decision.”