Andy paced the room, his face tense and beads of sweat forming on his brow. Smita sat nearby, her hands clenched as she shared his unease.

Andy: “What is happening, Smita? How can they do this to her?”
Smita: “I can’t believe it either. After all these years, they still want to sacrifice her for their selfish gains.”
Andy: “I won’t let this happen. Smita, she’s like my daughter—my best friend’s daughter. We owe her this much.”
Smita: “But Andy, what can we do? They hold all the legal rights to her.”
Andy (pausing, a thought forming): “Smita, I have an idea.”
Smita: “What is it?”
Andy: “Xavier.”

Smita’s eyes widened in shock, but then a smile broke across her face.

Smita: “Xavier? You mean… a marriage alliance? That’s brilliant! She’ll be safe, and I’d be thrilled to have her as my daughter-in-law. But will Xavier agree?”
Andy: “He has to, Smita. Her mother helped us so much, and we owe her everything. Besides, Jade is planning to sell her off in some disgusting business deal. We can’t let that happen.”
Smita: “But will Jade even consider this proposal?”
Andy: (smirking) “Who would refuse Xavier Knight? The world bends to him, and Jade will, too. We’ll offer double the price of any deal they’re making.”
Smita: “Alright, let’s go to their house now. There’s no time to waste.”

They headed to Jade’s house.

Jade: “Mr. Knight! I’m surprised to see you here. What brings you by?”
Andy: “We’re here to discuss a proposal.”
Jade: “A proposal? I’m intrigued. Please, go on.”
Andy: “We want Xavier to marry your daughter.”
Rosalina: (excitedly) “Scarlett? That’s wonderful! She’ll be so lucky.”
Smita: “Not Scarlett. We’re talking about Ariana. We know about your business deal involving her, and we’ll pay double. But in return, she marries Xavier.”
Jade: (shocked) “How do you even know about her?”
Smita: “We’re the Knights, Mr. Jade. We know everything. And you also know what rejecting this proposal would mean for you.”
Rosalina: (alarmed) “No! We accept. It’s a yes from our side.”
Andy: “Good. Once the date is finalized, we’ll inform you.”

Xavier’s Perspective

Today, life threw me a curveball I never saw coming. I never thought everything would change in an instant.

I was at my office when I got a call from Dad, asking me to meet for dinner. Strange, right? Why dinner? Aren’t we living in the same house? Well, no. I live separately. After finishing my work, I headed over.

The moment I walked in, my mother and father dropped a bombshell.

Andy: “We’ve arranged a marriage for you.”
Xavier: “What? No way. I won’t marry that spoiled brat, Scarlett.”
Smita: “It’s not Scarlett. It’s Ariana.”
Xavier: (shocked) “Who?”
Smita: “Jade’s eldest daughter. We need to help her.”
Xavier: “Jade has another daughter? I’ve never even heard of her, let alone seen her.”
Andy: “That doesn’t matter. You once promised to give us anything we asked, and we’re asking this now. Marry her.”

I was floored. An unknown girl? Marry her? And Veronica… what would I say to her? My life was spiraling into chaos.

But I gave in.

Xavier: “Fine. I’ll marry her.”

My parents were overjoyed, their faces lighting up with relief. After a brief chat, I drove home. Lying on my bed after a shower, my thoughts raced.

She must be a gold digger, marrying me for money. I’ll make her regret this. She’ll never have an easy day in her life.

Ariana’s Perspective

Today was the worst day of my life.

At dinner, my parents dropped their bombshell. They wanted to sell me off in a marriage deal to save their business. How could they be so heartless? I had always dreamed of marrying someone who loved and cherished me. But now, everything was ruined.

Will he love me? Will he even accept me?

Lost in thought, Scarlett barged into my room and began attacking me.

Scarlett: “You ugly slut! How can someone like you be this lucky? You get to marry Xavier? Unbelievable. Don’t get too comfortable—he’ll never accept someone as pathetic as you. He has standards, and you’ll never meet them.”

Her words cut deeper than her blows. After she left, I collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming down my face.

Why me, God? What did I do to deserve this life?

Eventually, I cried myself to sleep, the weight of the world crushing me.

What’s Next?

1. How will Ariana survive in a loveless marriage?

2. Will Xavier ever discover the truth about Ariana?

3. And what about Veronica—how will she react to this betrayal?

The answers lie ahead in Fate’s Hostage. Stay tuned.