The last option.

"This is the fifth rejection."

Ethan stared at the email on his laptop.

Unfortunately, we are unable to approve your loan application...

He closed it.

Another notification appeared.

A different bank. A different rejection.

He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.

His phone buzzed.

Boston Heart Institute.

His jaw tightened. He answered immediately. "Hello?"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Anderson. We're calling regarding Miss Daisy Morgan's surgery."

"I know."

"We still haven't received the payment."

"I'm working on it."

"We understand, sir. However, her surgeon has asked us to remind you that delaying the procedure could increase the risks."

"I said I'm working on it."

The woman paused. "We'll give you another week."

The call ended. Ethan lowered the phone.

One week.

That was all he had left.

...

He drove to another bank anyway.

The manager welcomed him into his office. "Mr. Anderson."

"Thank you for seeing me."

The older man smiled politely. "I wish it were under better circumstances."

Ethan placed the documents on the desk. "I have collateral."

"I've reviewed everything."

"Then you know I can repay the loan."

"I believe you can."

Ethan frowned. "But?"

The manager sighed. "Your father's decision has... reached people."

"So this isn't about my finances?"

"No."

"It's about Richard Anderson."

The manager didn't answer.

Ethan let out a short laugh. "So no one wants to do business with me."

Ethan gathered the documents. "I understand."

The manager looked genuinely uncomfortable.

"I don't think you do."

...

His next stop was lunch with an old university friend.

Marcus looked embarrassed before Ethan even sat down.

"You already know, don't you?"

Marcus nodded. "My father warned me."

Ethan looked at him quietly.

"I wanted to help."

"But?"

"He said if I lent you money, he'd cut me off too."

Ethan smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. "That's... fair."

Marcus leaned forward. "If I had it myself, I'd give it to you."

"I know."

They finished lunch talking about anything except money.

...

Victoria walked into Richard's study without knocking.

Richard looked up from his paperwork. "What is it?"

"You know exactly what it is."

"I'm busy."

"Our son is struggling." Victoria muttered. 

"He made his choice."

"He made one mistake."

Richard closed the file. "No, he revealed his character."

Victoria crossed her arms. "You're punishing him for refusing an arranged marriage." "He has someone depending on him."

"So does every man."

Victoria walked around the desk. "He needs us."

Richard stood. "If I rescue him now..." He met her eyes. "he'll spend the rest of his life believing money can erase every mistake."

Victoria stayed quiet. Richard softened slightly.

"When Ethan finally apologizes because he understands what he did..." He looked toward the window. "I'll know I've raised the right man."

He added. "And he has to agree to the merger too."

Outside the study, Sophie, Ethan's sister lowered her hand before knocking.

She had heard enough, she quietly walked away.

...

The next morning...

Bianca stood beside the large presentation screen.

"This proposal reduces operating costs by twelve percent over two years."

One executive raised an eyebrow."Are you confident?"

She nodded. "I ran the numbers three times."

Charles watched his daughter answer every question without looking at her notes.

When the meeting ended, the finance director stopped her. "You've only been here a few days."

Bianca smiled. "I've had good teachers."

"No." He shook his head.

"You've done the work."

As he walked away, Charles caught up with her. "Proud of you."

She smiled.

"You've earned this." He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll let you get back to work."

As he turned to leave, his assistant hurried toward him.

"Mr. Ellington."

"What is it?"

"Mr. Ethan Anderson is here."

Charles frowned. "He says he'd like five minutes."

...

Ethan stood as Charles entered the visitor's lounge.

Charles closed the door behind him. "I wasn't expecting you."

"Good day sir." Ethan remained standing."I won't waste your time."

Charles waited. Ethan took a slow breath. "I came to apologize."

Charles didn't speak.

"What I said to Bianca was wrong." Ethan looked down briefly. "It was."

"I can't change it but i'm sorry."

Charles studied him for a moment. "I believe you mean that."

Ethan nodded. "I do."

Silence settled between them.

Charles finally spoke. "What do you need?"

Ethan let out a quiet breath. "I need to talk to Bianca."

Charles' expression changed. "I don't think that's a good idea.

"I won't pressure my daughter into seeing you after what you did."

"Please sir," Ethan hesitated. "I only want one conversation."

"For what?"

"I have... a proposal."

Charles frowned. "What kind of proposal?"

"It's personal."

Charles folded his arms. "If this is another insult—"

"It isn't. I promise."

Charles held his gaze. For the first time since they'd met, Ethan looked tired.

After a long silence, Charles nodded once.

"I'll ask her but I won't force her."

Bianca looked up from her laptop when her phone rang.

"Dad?"

"Are you busy?"

"A little."

"I need to ask you something."

She smiled. "That sounds serious."

"It is."

Her smile faded. "What happened?"

Charles hesitated. "Ethan came to see me today."

Bianca sat up. "What?"

"He apologized."

She didn't say anything.

"He wants to speak with you."

"No."

"Bianca—"

"I said no."

"He says it's important."

"So was my graduation dinner."

Charles sighed quietly. "I know."

"He embarrassed me in front of everyone, So why would I meet him again?"

"Because I'm asking you to hear him out."

She closed her eyes. "Dad..."

"You don't have to agree with anything he says."

"I won't."

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Bianca asked, "One meeting?"

"That's all."

She let out a slow breath. "Fine."

Charles smiled to himself. "Thank you."

"But after that..." Her voice hardened. "he stays out of my life."

...

The following day.

Bianca parked outside a quiet café overlooking the marina.

Ethan was already waiting. He stood as she approached. "Thank you for coming."

"I'm here because of my father."

"I know."

She didn't sit.

"What do you want?"

Ethan looked at the empty chair across from him. "Please."

"I'll stand."

He nodded. "I deserve that."

He looked at her. "I'm sorry."

She said nothing.

"I've replayed that night a hundred times. It doesn't change what happened."

"So..." She folded her arms. "what is this proposal?"

Ethan looked away for a second. Then back at her. "I need your help."

She laughed in disbelief. "My help?"

"Yes."

"That's interesting."

He didn't respond.

"The woman who wasn't your type..." She tilted her head. "suddenly useful?"

His jaw tightened.

"What exactly do you want from me?"

He took a slow breath. "I want us to pretend."

She frowned. "Pretend?"

"That we've agreed to the marriage."

She stared at him.

"For eight months." He added. 

The words hung between them.

He continued carefully. "Our families will believe we've accepted the arrangement."

"And then?"

"My father will restore my access to the company."

She looked at him as if she'd never met him before.

"You can't be serious."

"I am."

She laughed again. "So you humiliate me in public..."

A pause. "...and now you want me to help you?"

"I know how it sounds. It sounds insulting but I don't have another choice."

"That's not my problem."

He nodded slowly. "It isn't."

She picked up her handbag. "I'm leaving."

"Bianca." She stopped. "I need the money."

She looked back. "For what?"

He hesitated. Then he answered honestly.

"The woman I love needs heart surgery."

The words landed between them.

Bianca looked at him for a long second. Then she shook her head. "I'm sorry she's sick. But that doesn't give you the right to use me."

"I know."

She stepped back. "I don't think you do."

She turned toward her car.

Ethan watched her unlock the door.

"I wasn't lying when I said I had nowhere else to go."

Her hand rested on the car door.

For one brief second, she didn't move.

Then she got into her car...

...and drove away.