Chapter 1: A Betrayal Among Friends

Elena's POV 

I had grown up surrounded by luxury, security, and the warmth of family friends like the Hawthornes. My father, Charles Bradford, often spoke of Victor Hawthorne with admiration, calling him his closest ally, a partner both in business and life. Our families spent countless evenings dining together, laughing over shared successes. We shared vacations and milestones, and I never imagined that Victor Hawthorne would one day stand in my home, dismantling everything I held dear without a second thought for our family friendship.

The day began like any other. I had been working tirelessly, managing my budding interior design business. I returned home later than usual to have dinner with my parents, a cup of coffee in one hand and a stack of documents in the other. But the sight that greeted me in the driveway made me freeze. Lawyers and men in dark suits streamed in and out of the house, carrying paintings, vases—anything of value.

I dropped my coffee, its contents spilling across the pavement, and rushed inside. “What’s going on?” I demanded, my voice trembling as I looked around. Nobody responded. Desperately, I entered further, looking for my parents. I needed answers.

I found my mother, Margaret, sitting on the grand staircase. Her face was pale and wet with tears. “Elena, my dear. Your father…” she whispered, reaching out weakly.

I rushed to her, grabbing her outstretched hands. “Mum, are you okay? Where’s Dad? What’s happening? Who are these people?” I pressed, panic rising.

She said nothing. Tears streamed down her face, and I shook her gently. “Mum, stop crying and say something. I’m worried here.”

Before she could answer, a familiar voice filled the living room. “Your father is missing.”

I turned to see Victor Hawthorne, tall and imposing, standing in what had once been our luxurious living room. His salt-and-pepper hair gleamed under the chandelier's light, and his sharp gray eyes held no warmth. He looked nothing like the Uncle Victor I had known. Beside him stood his son Adrian, his usual lazy smirk plastered across his face.

“Uncle Victor? Adrian?” I stared at them, disbelief etched on my face. “What are you doing here? What do you mean, my father is missing? What’s happening?”

Victor stepped forward, his voice calm but icy. “Your father, Charles, has embezzled millions from our joint ventures. Remember that business we both started that became a hit? Well, he’s run off, leaving nothing but his family, debts, and disgrace behind. As his business partner, I have no choice but to reclaim what I can. I am a businessman, after all.”

I staggered back, shaking my head. “No… that can’t be true. Dad wouldn’t do that. He isn’t like that. Uncle Victor, you know how upright my father is. You’re his closest friend—you should know he’d never embezzle money and leave his family behind.”

Adrian chuckled, crossing his arms. “Come on, Elena. Open your eyes. Your dad would never do that? Then where is he? Call him out, let him explain himself.” He paused, his smirk widening. “See? He’s not here or at work either. Apparently, Daddy Bradford isn’t as honest as you thought.”

“Enough, Adrian,” Victor snapped before turning back to me. “I understand this is difficult for you and your mother, but the evidence is clear. Only your father and I had access to the company's main accounts. I didn’t do it, Elena—your father did, and since he’s nowhere to be found, every asset will be seized to repay what he stole.”

My mother stood, clutching the banister for support. “Victor, our families have been friends for years. You’ve known Charles—our family for years. Surely there’s another way. Let's wait for Charles to get back then he can explain himself. I trust my husband; he would never do such.”

Victor’s expression hardened. “Are you both even listening to me? I'm a businessman, and I can't bear to suffer such a great loss. You think Charles will come back?” He chuckled. “Stop with the false hope, Margaret. He's gone on his way; who knows? He might have another family more important than you guys. Charles is my friend, yes, but friendship doesn’t erase the debt, Margaret.”

“Please, Victor,” my mother sobbed, clutching his arm. “You’ve known us for years. Isn’t there any other way?”

Victor glanced at her coldly, his sharp gray eyes devoid of sympathy. “Charles brought this on himself. He siphoned millions, and I have a company to protect.”

My mother’s knees buckled, and I rushed to support her. “How could you do this to us? Why do we have to suffer for this? I'll look for my father, so stop harassing us like this. How could you take everything away from us?” I snapped, glaring at Victor.

Victor sighed, almost theatrically. “Elena, dear. You're just a girl. I can't let you go out there and start searching for a criminal. The police will take care of that. But there's one thing you can do. There is... one option. A way to settle the remaining debt.”

My stomach turned as Victor pulled out a sleek black folder. “You’ll marry into the Hawthorne family. Become Adrian's wife.”

“What?” my mother and I gasped in unison.

Victor opened the folder, revealing a contract. “Adrian needs a wife to stabilize his image and help our family secure key business deals. Your union would benefit us both. The playboy and irresponsible image Adrian has gets wiped off and people start to see him as a respectable family man and you… the Bradford family can save face. No one will associate the family with Charles, a criminal. Instead, you'll be regarded as the in-laws of the Hawthorne. Also, your debt will be cleared as long as you help us with business under the covers. I know how brilliant you are, Elena. You take after your father’s business mindset.”

Adrian leaned against the wall, inspecting his nails. “Look on the bright side, Elena. We used to have something back in university, didn’t we? Maybe this could work out. Think of it as just marrying your friend from your university days. How sweet and romantic is that? It'll make the headlines.”

My mind went back to my university days. Adrian had been one of my admirers, but I’d rejected him many times. Aside from seeing him as a close family friend, I didn’t have feelings for him, and he was a notorious playboy, always surrounded by scandals. The thought of marrying him was unthinkable.

“You can’t be serious,” I whispered.

“I am,” Victor said. “This is your only chance to protect your mother and salvage what little dignity your family has left. I'm giving you a chance to redeem your family. To escape the hell that'll break loose when the media finds out about it and comes flocking in here. You call this harassment? You haven't seen anything yet. Elena, sign the contract. You're the only one that can protect your mother now. She's counting on you.”

I collected the stack of papers and clutched it in my trembling hands, tears streaming down my face as the weight of my decision sank in. My mother might tell me not to do it, but Victor was right. I was the only one who could protect her.