He Chose His Childhood Friend, I Married another Don

Joss looked at me, perfectly calm. "Freya, I didn't have to tell you any of this. I'm telling you because I trust you to be kind and generous about it."

I stared at Joss, fury surging through me.

The Girard family was powerful, but the nobility was losing ground. As its heir, I had to think about my family's future.

I studied financial risk management, information security, law, and data analysis. I learned everything I might need to become the Commission's risk analyst.

And now, after all that work, he'd handed it to someone else with one careless sentence.

What gives him the right?

I glared at him. "Joss, why?"

To my surprise, he looked disappointed.

"Freya, I thought you'd understand.

"I'm an orphan who clawed his way up from nothing, just like Lydia. It took me eight years to get here. She needs a chance to prove herself too.

"You have so much. Why do you have to fight her for this job?"

I was so angry I laughed.

"Joss, I'm not fighting her for anything. It was a fair competition!

"If she's really that good, she shouldn't need you to swap my score with hers!"

Joss's face turned cold.

"Freya, I thought you were someone who could see the bigger picture."

"Seeing the bigger picture doesn't mean sacrificing myself so you can play favorites!" I shot back.

"You already have so much," he said. "Why fight Lydia when she has nothing?"

I gave him a mocking smile.

"Joss, you have a lot now too. Why don't you give your money to the beggars on the street?

"What right do you have to give away something that belongs to me?"

Joss's usually unreadable face reddened, but he recovered quickly.

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and spoke gently.

"Freya, I know this isn't fair to you. Stop making a scene, okay?

"We're getting married soon. As the future Donna, you need to be more generous than this."

I took two steps back, out of his reach. "Joss, you swapped our scores behind everyone's backs. Aren't you afraid Don Holden will punish you?"

Joss let out a soft sigh.

"Freya, you won't tell, will you?

"I know you can't bear to lose me. The Elvina River witnessed everything between us. You love me."

I lowered my eyes.

Eight years ago, when I was 18, I fought with my father over an arranged marriage and stormed off to the Elvina River.

I slipped and fell in.

When I woke up, Joss was there, soaking wet.

He was the one who saved me.

He was tall, handsome, and so understanding. He talked with me for half the night and finally convinced me to go home.

For him, I stood up to my family. For me, he made a solemn promise and spent eight years clawing his way up from nothing to be named the next Don.

My father had given in a long time ago.

We'd loved each other for eight years, and our bond ran deep. He'd always assumed that love gave him all the leverage he needed over me.

When I came back to myself, my eyes stung.

I lowered my head. My hand shook.

Joss thought I was wavering. He took my hand and spoke softly.

"Freya, I know you have a soft heart. Stop competing with Lydia, okay?

"I promise this is the last time. Once this blows over, I'll come ask for your hand."

I yanked my hand away. "No. You don't need to ask for my hand anymore!"