Carolina's lips burned with the weight of her answer.
Yes.
She had said it.
But as soon as the word left her mouth, she knew one thing—she would never make this easy for him.
Alexander leaned back, satisfied. "Good girl."
Her fists clenched. Good girl?
Oh, he had no idea what he just signed up for.
She hated him.
Hated the way he stood there, so calm, so in control, like he had already won.
She wanted to ruin that smug expression.
"Don't look so pleased with yourself," she snapped, her voice like ice. "Just because I agreed doesn't mean I'll ever belong to you."
Alexander chuckled, slow and dark. "Sweetheart, you agreed to be my wife." He leaned in, his breath ghosting over her skin. "That means you're already mine."
She didn't flinch. Didn't step back.
Instead, she lifted her chin and whispered—
"Then watch me make your life a living hell."
His smirk faltered.
Good.
"You think you can fight me, Carolina?" His voice dropped, amusement laced with something sharper. "You think you can win?"
Her heart pounded, but she refused to look away.
"I don't have to win, Alexander. I just have to make sure you don't either."
For the first time, his jaw ticked.
The game had officially begun.