5

**Lily's POV**

I woke up at six, like always, with a headache sharp enough to kill.

I had slept late. Or maybe I hadn't slept at all. I honestly didn't remember when my thoughts finally shut up.

I got ready mechanically, ate toast without tasting it, and left for work. I wasn't ready to face him. Not today. Not after everything.

The drive felt longer than usual.

I parked my car, scanned my ID, and took the elevator straight to the top floor. Ninth floor. Every second upward felt heavier.

My hand hovered over the door handle.

Should I open it?

Should I turn around and run?

Before I could decide, the door opened on its own.

He stood there.

Crisp suit. Perfectly pressed. Sharp eyes that pinned me in place like I'd been caught doing something illegal.

*"Planning to stand outside forever or what?"*

*"I was just getting in,"* I muttered.

*"Get in."*

I stepped inside and stopped awkwardly in the middle of the room, like a misplaced piece of furniture.

He shut the door and moved behind his desk, settling into the chair like this was just another business discussion.

*"Sit. Why are you standing?"*

I sat across from him, hands folded tightly in my lap.

He asked the question I'd been dreading since yesterday.

*"Did you decide?"*

*"Umm… yeah,"* I said, barely above a whisper.

He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing.

*"Stop whispering. I'm not killing you here, am I?"* His voice was firm. Unyielding. *"Say it properly. Say it like you're sure. I don't want half-hearted answers and a load of regret from you later."*

I nodded.

*"Yes,"* I said. Louder this time.

*"Yes. I'll marry you."*

---

**Ethan's POV**

She said yes.

She'll marry me.

I knew she would understand. Lily was smart like that — logic over emotion, always. She saw the sense in it.

I studied her as she sat there, unnaturally still. Her expression said yes, but her eyes were elsewhere. Thinking. Overthinking. That was dangerous.

Regret is messy. Regret creates drama. Drama wastes time.

I leaned forward, elbows on the desk.

*"Something on your mind?"*

She hesitated before speaking.

*"I just want to be clear,"* she said carefully. *"I'm marrying you, but you're not going to hit me. And I don't want children until I'm ready."*

For a second, I genuinely thought I'd misheard.

What does she think I am?

First the knife in her pocket yesterday, now this? I get angry. I'm rude. But hitting a woman? My parents raised me better than that.

I was offended.

*"Are you serious?"* I said flatly. *"No, I'm not going to hit you. And no, I'm not ready to be a father either."* I paused, then added, *"You'll never get a chance to use that little pocket knife on me. Relax."*

She nodded.

*"Okay."*

Good. That was settled.

*"Engagement is tonight,"* I said next. *"Invite whoever you want. At my place."*

Her head snapped up.

*"Tonight?"*

*"Yes. Tonight."* I stood. *"Some close family from my side will be there. You can call whoever you want. It'll be small. The wedding will be properly planned, grand. I don't see why you should have a problem with that."*

She blinked. Once. Twice. Like I'd just dropped a grenade in her lap.

*"U-uhm…"*

*"Clear my schedule for today,"* I continued, already moving toward the door. *"Get up. We're going ring and dress shopping."*

That made her pause.

*"Can we bring my friend?"* she asked softly.

*"The bowling pin?"*

*"Diana."*

*"Right. Take her."*

---

**Lily's POV**

I knew he wouldn't hit me.

I just needed to hear it.

I've seen what love can turn into. Diana married the man she adored, and still came out broken. I was about to marry a man I barely knew beyond work and sharp words.

But I wasn't weak.

If he ever raised his hand on me, I'd break it. Or worse.

So when he said okay, something in my chest loosened.

But my life? My life had officially gone completely off-script.

I didn't know how to feel about the engagement tonight.

Everything felt rushed. Too fast. Like I'd stepped onto a moving train without checking where it was headed. But I didn't say anything. I wasn't even sure why. I had said yes to the marriage, after all.

*"I'm bringing my car out,"* he said, already halfway out the door. *"You bring her quickly. Don't make me wait."*

*"Okay."*

We stepped into the elevator together. I got off on the fifth floor to get Diana while he went down to the basement parking.

I knocked once before opening the door to the management head's office.

*"Sir, can you send Diana?"*

*"No. She's busy,"* he said without looking up, dismissive as ever.

*"It's important,"* I insisted. *"Mr. Cole needs her. She'll be occupied for the day."*

He finally looked at me then, unimpressed.

*"Oh yeah? Mr. Cole has no business with Diana. You can chat during lunch break. Right now, she's helping me. Please leave."*

I glanced at Diana. She gave me a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes. We both hated her boss. He was cranky, perpetually irritated, like a man who argued with someone every morning and came to the office to distribute the leftover bad mood.

I had a hundred replies on the tip of my tongue.

Normally, I wasn't scared of arguing with people higher up. But this wasn't about me. If I pushed back, he'd make Diana's job difficult. This was corporate culture and she had to live in it long after today.

So I swallowed my words and walked out.

By the time I reached downstairs, Ethan's BMW was already parked near the building. I slid into the passenger seat with a sigh, folding my hands in my lap. I really wanted Diana with me today. It was my engagement, after all.

He noticed immediately.

*"Where's—"* he stopped himself. *"Where's Diana?"*

*"Her boss didn't send her,"* I said quietly. *"He thinks I was calling her just to pass time. And that you have no reason to need her."*

*"Tch."*

He clicked his tongue before pulling out his phone.

He dialed without hesitation.

*"Mr. Hayden,"* he said coldly. *"Send your secretary down. Now. I'm waiting. And it's not like you do much work anyway. You can manage on your own for a day. I need your secretary for the entire day."*

He hung up.

*"Thank you,"* I mumbled, staring out the window.

He didn't respond. But I knew he'd heard me.

---

**Ethan's POV**

Within two minutes, Diana was standing outside the building, looking around like she'd been abducted mid-task.

Lily rolled down the window.

*"Here!"*

Diana's face lit up. She waved and climbed into the backseat.

*"Good morning, sir."*

*"Morning,"* I replied flatly.

*"Umm… can I sit in the back?"* Lily asked softly, already half-turning toward her.

Of course she wanted to sit with her best friend.

But then I'd look like a driver for these two. Which I was not.

*"No,"* I said. *"I'm not a chauffeur."*

*"Okay."*

Diana glanced at Lily through the rearview mirror, confusion written all over her face. She clearly had no idea where we were going or why she'd been summoned like this. I didn't bother explaining.

I drove out of the company campus.

The truth was simple. I wanted the engagement done quickly. I didn't want time to give Lily's doubts space to grow. No second thoughts. No overthinking. Once she was my fiancée, the rest could settle itself. The wedding could happen whenever the right time came. This was just about locking the decision in place.

I connected my phone to the car and called Ryan.

He picked up instantly, except it wasn't him.

*"What happened, honey? Ryan's in the bathroom. He'll be back in two minutes."*

Bad idea. Definitely a bad idea to put the phone on speaker. But I didn't have earphones, and I wasn't about to drive with my phone wedged between my ear and shoulder like I had a broken neck.

I could feel the girls fighting for their lives not to laugh.

*"Mom,"* I said through clenched teeth. *"Please be quiet. The phone's on speaker."* I paused. *"I called to tell you Lily said yes."*

*"YESSS!"* she shrieked. *"I knew it! Is Lily nearby? Let me talk to her!"*

I saw Lily immediately straighten up, nervous and polite, ready to be handed the phone.

Not happening. Not now. Not with Diana in the backseat and my phone on full volume.

*"Mom, she's busy,"* I said quickly. *"I'm calling to let you know the engagement is tonight."*

I continued before she could interrupt.

*"You and Dad can invite whoever you want, but keep it limited. Tell Ryan to get the garden decorated, arrange a stage. Get a nice catering service. We'll do it at the mansion."*

There was a pause.

*"But so sudden?"* she asked. *"We could've booked a venue and done it grandly."*

*"Mom, please."* I cut in. *"We'll talk properly once I'm home. Right now, I'm taking Lily ring and dress shopping."* Then, more pointedly: *"You were the one who wanted me married. Now that it's happening, let it happen. The wedding will be grand."*

She sighed, then softened immediately.

*"Okay, fine. Tell Lily I'm very happy. She doesn't need to stress about a thing. She'll live like a princess."*

*"Noted. Bye."*

I hung up.