The Billionaire's secret Queen

Layla felt the sharp edge of anxiety dig into her chest as she hoisted herself up onto the ledge of her bedroom window. I'm in big trouble, she thought, biting her lip as she pulled the window shut behind her as quietly as possible.

She was 21 years old, a grown woman by any account, but her parents-especially her father-still treated her like a rebellious teenager.She had hoped to sneak back into the house unnoticed, but as she turned toward her bed, her heart nearly stopped.

Sitting in the corner of her room, cloaked in shadows, was her father.Maxwell Kingstone's stern face was illuminated only by the dim light spilling in from the hallway. His expression was cold, his dark eyes piercing through her in the silence.

He didn't move, his rigid posture conveying more anger than words ever could."Layla Kingstone," he said, his voice low but biting, "where are you coming from at this hour?"Layla swallowed hard. There was no use lying-her father always seemed to know when she wasn't telling the truth. "I was hanging out with Jade," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. Jade had been her best friend since they were children, and her father usually tolerated their friendship. But tonight, she could tell, was different.Maxwell's frown deepened. "We agreed that this would be the last time you come home past your curfew without informing me."

His voice was louder now, rising with anger, and Layla winced. "Do you know how many times you've done this, Layla?""I'm sorry," she whispered. "We just lost track of time-""Sorry isn't good enough!" Maxwell stood, his presence filling the small bedroom. "You're 21 years old, Layla. You should be more responsible, more respectful of this family's reputation. Do you know what people will think if they see you sneaking around at this hour?"

Layla dropped her eyes to the floor, knowing better than to argue. Reputation was everything to Maxwell Kingstone, a businessman who had clawed his way to success. His image of control and respectability was something he guarded fiercely, and the idea of his daughter-his only daughter-tarnishing that image filled him with dread.

But for Layla, his control had become suffocating."I won't let you tarnish this family's name," Maxwell continued, his voice firm. "We agreed the last time you broke curfew that there would be consequences."Layla's heart sank. She had known that eventually, her father would enforce some kind of punishment, but she hadn't expected it to be tonight. "What are you going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Maxwell studied her for a moment, his eyes hard and unrelenting. He had always been a man of few words, but when he spoke, every word was heavy with meaning. "You've given me no choice, Layla," he said finally. "I've made arrangements for you to be married."Layla's breath caught in her throat. Married? Her mind raced. She had known her father was strict, but this? She hadn't seen this coming. "You... you can't be serious," she stammered, taking a step back.

"Who?""A friend of mine," Maxwell said, his tone flat, as though he were discussing a business transaction. "His business is doing well, and he's willing to help me. In exchange, you will become his wife.""No," Layla said, her voice rising. "You can't do this to me. I won't marry someone I don't even know!"Maxwell's expression didn't change. "You'll do as you're told. This behavior of yours-it ends now. You'll settle down, and you'll be his wife. That's final."

Layla felt a wave of panic rising in her chest. This couldn't be happening. She had always known her father could be controlling, but she never imagined he would go this far. "But... why? Why would you do this to me?"Maxwell's face hardened, and for a moment, a flicker of something else passed through his eyes-something almost like regret. "I married your mother in a similar arrangement," he said, his voice quieter now, as if the memory pained him. "I never thought much of love, not until it was too late.

When your mother became ill, I realized what she meant to me, but by then..." He shook his head, his gaze distant. "I won't make the same mistake with you, Layla. You need to be settled, to have a life that's secure. That's the only way."Layla felt her stomach churn. "So you're doing this to protect me? Or to protect your business?"Maxwell didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked toward the door, leaving her alone in the dark room. "You'll be married by the end of the month," he said, his voice final. "That's all there is to it."

The door clicked shut behind him, and Layla collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling in disbelief. Married? To a man she'd never met? How could her father do this? And how was she going to stop it?