Chapter 24

Anna’s POV

Her words stabbed right into me, as if she was cutting away any hope I had. I didn’t understand why she was so against this, against me and Ryan. We weren’t blood related. I knew she valued her friendship with my late mom, but I was so sure my mom wouldn’t have minded me being with Ryan. I was certain of it.

Ryan’s jaw ticked, his anger showing in the way his shoulders squared as if he was trying not to explode. “I’m going to stop this betrothal,” he said, his voice hard. “I don’t love Sophie, and I don’t plan on having anything to do with her.”

Tears burned my eyes, and I could feel them spilling down my cheeks. “It’s Anna I love, Mom,” Ryan said firmly. “Please, don’t make this harder for us.”

“I won’t accept this,” Mom shot back instantly.

“Mom! There’s no changing this,” Ryan said, his voice rising. “Anna’s the one for me. The one the goddess fated to be mine.”

That made my head snap up. I blinked at him, confused. “What does