Chapter Five

Leon’s phone kept ringing. He was terrified to pick up his phone because he knew if his mum had gotten hold of this information, it wouldn’t take a minute before the entire family heard too. His phone was laid face down throughout breakfast, vibrating against the wooden table like an angry insect. He knew all hell was about to break loose.

“I guess they’ve heard!” Charity said, laughing, brushing her braids away from her face. “Now we’re going to find out if its good news or bad news to them.”

“That’s not funny” Leon responded with a forced grin, though his stomach twisted. “There’s so much going on already.”

“What’s going on?” Charity asked, her tone shifting from playful to worried.

Leon’s mind flashed quickly to the case about another female—a mess he never wanted Charity to know about. “Nothing. Nothing.” He replied hastily, his eyes refusing to meet hers.

While Charity tidied up after breakfast, Leon slipped into the living room. His heart pounding. The chaos had already been erupted. His screen showed several miscalls from his dad. His dad only ever called when there was a big problem. The family group chat was buzzing, messages flying so quickly he couldn’t keep up. Leon scrolled, dread rising in his throat.

“FAMILY MEETING!” One message stood out, in all caps, sent directly from his dad.

Leon’s heart dropped like a stone. That meant trouble.

Dad: Everyone should be at the house by 3:00 PM.

Mum: Especially YOU LEON

Davina: What has he done again?!

Leon checked the time. It was already 2:45 PM. “Shit! Shit! Shit!” he hissed, bolting upstairs to his room.

“What’s wrong?!” Charity called from the kitchen, alarmed by his panic.

He didn’t answer. He threw on clothes faster than he ever had in his life. If there was one thing his dad despised, it was lateness—and now, with the scandal hanging over him, being late would only make things worse.

Leon sprinted out the front door, shouting over his shoulder “I have to go babe! Let the house keeper know when you’re leaving.”

Charity stood in the parking lot, arms crossed. “WOW!” she muttered, before turning back inside and slamming the door.

The drive to the house felt endless. His chest tightened with every mile. He finally arrived 15 minutes past the set time. His palm slick against the steering wheel. By the time he pushed open the heavy front door, he was already shaking.

The help approached him instantly “Good afternoon sir, can I get your coat.”

“No. No.” Leon waved him off, eyes darting. Just tell me, has the meeting started? Where are they?”

“Yes sir. It began exactly at 3PM. They’re in the living room.”

“Why did I even ask” Leon muttered, anxiety spiking.

He pushed through the doorway and was met by his father’s cold stare.

“There he is—the son I wish I never had” His dad said bitterly.

“Don’t be so harsh, Callum” his mum tried to calm him, though her eyes carried disappointment too.

“Take a seat Leon.” Davina said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the show.

Leon lowered himself into the chair, trying not to tremble. That’s when he noticed the man seated neatly in a corner—the family lawyer.

“Why is the lawyer here?” Leon asked.

“In case you don’t agree to my terms.” Mr. Wyatt, his father replied, coolly.

Leon’s pulse spiked “What terms dad?”

Silence hung in the room for a moment. Finally, his father inhaled deeply, as if bracing himself.

“You won’t receive a penny from your inheritance” he said, “unless you are married to Charity.”

Leon’s head snapped up. “WHAT? Dad, you can’t do that.”

“Yes I can” his father said firmly, “And I will.”

 “Mum! Say something” Leon begged.

His mother’s lipped thinned. ‘It’s your dad’s decision and I stand by it.”

“That’s a great idea” Davina chimed in, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Maybe now Leon could learn what responsibility means.”

“Shut up Davina.” Leon snapped, his composure cracking. “Dad please. Mum please. I could marry her eventually, but it can’t be like this. This isn’t right.”

“You should have thought about that before” his dad barked back.

“I’m going to have the lawyer draft out the contract within the week.” Mr. Wyatt continued, adjusting his glasses with detached precision. “Charity comes from a good family. They have class, status. Her father is a great friend of mine, and this marriage will be good for business.”

“Business? Leon scoffed, his voice breaking. That’s what matters to you. Not me? Not how I feel but business?”

“What do you expect us to do?” his father shot back. “Let Charity become your first baby mama? Do you know what her father will do when he hears? Do you understand what this will do to our family’s name? Are you really so selfish that you’ll drag us all down with you?!”

Leon gripped his knees. He wanted to yell, to defend himself, but the words got stuck in his throat.

“This decision should be between Charity and I” he said finally, his voice hoarse.

‘Well” his mum interjected sharply, “Charity seemed quite excited when we spoke on the phone. She likes the idea of being married to you.”

Leon froze. “What?” You told her that already? Without me?” He buried his face on his hand, “I can’t believe this.”

“You’re lucky” his dad said, his tone colder than ice. “We’re still negotiating with the lady from your sex tape-- trying to settle before she drags your name—and ours—through the mud. And now, on top of that disgrace, you spring this on us.

Leon’s world tilted. He sat there suffocating under the weight of their expectations, the betrayal, the trap being laid out so neatly before him. A contract marriage. An inheritance on the line. His family name hanging in the balance. And his freedom shrinking by the second.

For the first time in his life, Leon, felt cornered with no way out.