LOGIN“Let's get married." He said calmly.I stared at him stunned."What?”"You heard me.”"A..all of a sudden? I can't.”He lifted a brow."What can't you?" “No. No, I..I don't even know you.”“You know a decent amount.”"You can just say something heavy like that and expect me to simply agree!”"I think I made a mistake.” he stood up and walked towards me.He gripped my chair and pulled me close to him.I was now looking directly up at him.“You see…your protection is not an option.”I gulped.“If you marry me, then a lot of people would think twice before attacking you." I kept quiet.Not that I could talk anyway, he's warm minty breathe fanned my face."And you don't want to risk your life for some silly bakery." I blinked feeling suddenly hot.“Besides.." he stood up straight and walked back to his desk.He sat down and looked at me.“...it benefits me as it benefits you." I turned to him.“What do you mean?" “I need someone to take charge of my business before I become too old.
“That would be $7 and 99 cents." I handed the woman her pastry."Thank you.” She left.I sigh before turning to the large window in the cafè.It's been three weeks since my dad tried to sell me.It's been three weeks since I started staying at Lucian's house.Crazy how my life has changed in a span of a few weeks.I looked at the tilted black car across the cafè."No.” Lucian simply stated."No? But I want to go to my cafè, it's my job.”“Then quit it." He said as he flipped a document.I blinked.“What? I can't just quit my job. I love my job." He glanced at me before going back to the document.“Ava, going outside isn't safe and plus you don't need to work." I folded my arms.“You can't just keep me here." He still looked at the document unbothered.“I have a life too." He sighed before dropping the file to look at me.That's when I noticed how good he looked with glasses.Then again he looks good in everything."So what are you implying?”"Allow me to go to work. I can't sta
Name?"Adrian answered quietly."Victor Moretti.”Lucian expression changed but went back to normal just as quickly.He quickly glanced at me.“It's okay. Adrian follow me to my office.”With that they left leaving me alone in the large dinning table in suspense.“Miss Carter?....”Huh?“Miss Carter!”I immediately looked up.Evelyn stared back at me worried.“Y..yes?” I blinked.“Are you alright? We were talking and you suddenly went quiet.” She said concerned.“Oh..oh! yes yes I'm fine. I was just um…deep in thought. I'm sorry what were you saying?”She sighed but shaking her head."Don't worry.”I looked at her."Is there anything you want to say?”She hesitated."Yes, you have been absent minded more recently since yesterday. Even Mr. Ashford has been staying in his office longer than usual. I hope everything is alright?" “Oh…yes I'm good, it's just a lot has been in my mind.”She nodded slowly."Well, it's been awhile since Mr. Ashford has been so involved in something outside w
I woke to the sound of birds singing outside my window.For a moment, I didn't know where I was.The bed beneath me was softer than any bed I'd ever slept in. Sunlight poured through the curtains, warming the room with a golden glow.Then I remembered.Lucian's estate.The police.My father.Everything that had happened yesterday rushed back at once.I sat up slowly, expecting the familiar ache of fear to settle in my chest.Instead... Nothing There was only silence.And the realization almost made me cry.A gentle knock sounded."Miss Carter?"Evelyn's voice."Yes?""Good morning. Breakfast will be served in thirty minutes. I brought you a few clothes. I wasn't sure what size you preferred, so I chose several options.""Thank you."She stepped inside carrying neatly folded outfits."I'll leave them here. Take your time."After she left, I stared at the clothes spread across the bed.A cream sweater.A pair of light blue jeans.A simple floral dress.Nothing flashy.Just warm, mutual
My heart lurched."Dad?"The word escaped before I could stop it.Lucian didn't react. He simply looked at Adrian with the same calm expression he'd worn since I arrived."Is he alone?" he asked."Yes, sir.""And security?""They've stopped him at the front gate."Lucian nodded once."Keep him there.""Yes, sir."Adrian left, quietly closing the office door behind him.Silence settled between us again.I couldn't stop staring at the door."He came for me," I whispered.Lucian's eyes rested on me for a moment."Do you believe that?"His question caught me off guard."I..."Did I?A few hours ago, I would have said yes without thinking.Now...I wasn't sure.Lucian stood and walked toward the window."The first thing people do when they're afraid of losing control is try to reclaim it."He looked out over the gardens."Your father has lost control."I lowered my gaze to my hands."They're all I have."The words felt hollow the moment they left my mouth.Were they even true anymore?I ha
I didn't sleep.I couldn't.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my father's face.Not the face from my childhood, the one that used to lift me onto his shoulders and promise everything would be okay, no.....The face from last night.Cold.Empty.Willing to trade me to save himself.The morning sunlight slipped through the torn curtains, but it brought no comfort.I sat on the edge of my bed, still wearing the oversized sweater that hid the fading bruises on my arms. My head throbbed from all the crying, and my stomach churned every time I remembered Lucian Ashford's final words."You'll hear it tomorrow."What offer could he possibly have?And why must it be me?A loud knock echoed through the house.I flinched.Another knock followed, firm and deliberate.My father was already awake. I heard his hurried footsteps crossing the living room before the front door creaked open."Can I help you?" he asked, his voice unusually polite.A deep, calm voice answered."I'm here on behalf of Mr.

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