Chapter 30: The Dinner of Intentions

The night was cold and dark when Alexander parked his car in front of Miranda’s mother’s imposing house. He knew that attending this dinner meant facing a woman not exactly known for her warmth or kindness. Miranda’s mother, Isabel, was infamous for her frivolous nature, unrestrained ambition, and a past shrouded in rumors of shady business dealings. Alexander took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he anticipated would be a complicated evening.

Miranda greeted him at the door with a dazzling smile, her hand resting on his arm as she guided him into the house. Despite his doubts, Alexander tried to appear cordial. He knew Miranda wanted this engagement as much as her mother did, and though he didn’t share their enthusiasm, he had learned to handle these gatherings with politeness.

—Alexander, darling, how lovely to see you —Isabel’s voice welcomed them from the grand living room, and though her words sounded pleasant, there was a cold edge to her tone.

Isabel was seated at the center of the room, elegantly dressed, a glass of wine in hand. Despite the years, she maintained an impeccable appearance that spoke of a lifestyle surrounded by luxury—and perhaps some manipulation. With a graceful motion, she indicated for Alexander and Miranda to sit.

—Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Isabel —Alexander replied, trying to keep his distance.

The dinner unfolded with superficial conversations and subtle comments about the future. Isabel watched every move, as if evaluating every word Alexander uttered. As the evening progressed, the chatter gradually shifted from casual to increasingly personal, focusing more and more on him and his relationship with Miranda.

When dessert was served, Isabel smiled, finally dropping her mask of subtlety.

—Alexander, dear, I believe it’s time to speak frankly —said Isabel, intertwining her fingers on the table—. You know Miranda has waited patiently for this moment. You and she are the perfect couple, and I don’t see any reason to keep delaying the inevitable.

Alexander felt a slight knot in his stomach. He looked at Miranda, who smiled at him expectantly, her eyes shining as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

—I understand your concern, Mrs. Isabel —he responded cautiously—. But I believe it’s important for Miranda and me to ensure we’re making this decision without pressure.

Isabel let out a soft laugh, but her tone remained sharp.

—Pressure? Alexander, don’t be naïve. You know as well as I do that an engagement is the best thing you can do. My daughter has proven to be the right woman for you, and any other option would be... a waste. It’s what’s proper, and you both know it.

The firmness in her words made Alexander shift uncomfortably. He knew Isabel was an influential woman, and the pressure she was exerting was becoming obvious. He turned to Miranda, who, far from intervening to soften the conversation, seemed to enjoy the control her mother was exerting over him.

—I don’t know, I think we need more time —Alexander tried to say, but Isabel cut him off.

—Time? Alexander, you’ve been by my daughter’s side for years. She saved your life and has proven at every turn that she’s the ideal person for you. What more do you need to convince yourself? Do you want me to carve it in stone? There’s nothing to think about.

Alexander felt the pressure mounting with every second. He knew Miranda and her mother wouldn’t stop until they got a concrete answer, but he felt that agreeing would mean completely giving in to their desires, without considering his own feelings.

Noticing his hesitation, Isabel leaned forward, lowering her voice to add a more severe edge to her words.

—Look, Alexander, I don’t want to be cruel, but I must be honest with you. The company you’ve built and the life you lead... well, all of that could crumble if you don’t make the right decisions. It’s your responsibility to secure the future of our family and protect what you have. Being with Miranda guarantees stability, respect, and a solid legacy.

Alexander felt that Isabel’s words carried an undertone of barely disguised threat. It was clear she didn’t just want an engagement—she wanted to ensure Ethan wouldn’t stand in the way of inheriting anything.

—So what do you suggest, Isabel? —he asked, his tone firmer than he expected, seeking to set boundaries.

Isabel smiled, satisfied to see her words had made the desired impact.

—What I suggest is simple: let’s set a date to formalize the engagement —she said, casting a glance at Miranda—. I know my daughter has waited long enough, and I won’t allow this moment to be delayed any further.

Alexander felt trapped in a web woven by Isabel and Miranda, who exchanged a look of complicity. He knew the chances of leaving this situation without causing a scandal were slim, and he was certain Isabel had cards up her sleeve she hadn’t revealed yet.

Miranda took Alexander’s hand tenderly, her eyes looking at him with a mix of pleading and determination.

—Alexander, I just want everything to go well —she said in an almost sweet tone—. We’ve been through so much together, and I promise to be a loyal and dedicated wife.

Caught between Isabel’s power and Miranda’s insistent gaze, Alexander felt there was no way out. He nodded slowly, knowing that agreeing to an engagement would not only change his life but also Ethan’s future.

—Alright —he said with a resigned voice—. Let’s set the date for the engagement.

Isabel smiled triumphantly and raised her glass in a toast, convinced she had once again won in the game of power she mastered so well.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier despite Isabel’s victorious smile and Miranda’s apparent calm. Alexander felt the weight of his decisions beginning to crush him. A specific date hadn’t been set yet, but he had already agreed to something he didn’t want, and his mind couldn’t stop wandering about the consequences of this commitment.

After Isabel’s toast, there was a soft knock at the door. One of the maids timidly entered to announce the car was ready to take Miranda and Alexander back home. Slowly, Alexander stood up, knowing the evening’s conversation wasn’t over. Isabel wouldn’t let him leave so easily without ensuring her plans were firmly in place.

—Darling, don’t forget we’ll meet tomorrow to finalize the details —Isabel said as she stood and walked toward him—. I want everything to be perfect for the two of you.

Miranda bid her mother goodbye with a kiss on the cheek and left with Alexander toward the car. The silence between them was uncomfortable. Despite the kind words and supposed happiness about the engagement, Alexander felt something was wrong. As the car drove through the city streets, h

e couldn’t help but wonder how he had ended up at this point.