speechless

#EVENING#

# WINTHROP'SMANSION

DYLAN'S POINT OF VIEW

By the time I pulled into the circular driveway of the Winthrop estate, the sun had already disappeared behind the Seattle skyline.

Golden lights illuminated the massive mansion, making it look more like a five-star resort than an actual home. The fountain in front of the entrance sparkled beneath the evening lights, and expensive luxury cars lined the driveway.It should have felt welcoming but It never did.

I remained inside my car for a few extra seconds, my hands resting on the steering wheel as I stared at the front doors.

I wasn't avoiding dinner.I wasn't avoiding the guests.I was avoiding what waited inside.Because every time I stepped through those doors, I stopped feeling like a person,I became an investment,A future politician,A future CEO,A future Winthrop,Everything except a son.

With a quiet curse under my breath, I climbed out of the car and tossed my keys to one of the waiting staff members.

The moment I entered the mansion, voices drifted through the hallway from the dining room.The dinner had already started.Maybe if I was lucky, everyone would be too busy talking to pay attention to me.

"Dylan!"Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side.A very familiar, annoying voice rang through the hallway.Before I could react, a blur of blonde hair came charging toward me.

I barely had enough time to brace myself before she launched herself into my arms.

"Oh my God!"Her arms wrapped tightly around my neck,Far too tightly.

"I missed you so much!"She said and I stiffened instantly.

"Lisa."

"You didn't answer half my messages."

Her grip tightened.

"I thought you weren't coming tonight."

"I considered it."She laughed as if I'd just told the funniest joke in the world.

"I couldn't breathe without you."

"You seem to be breathing fine."Lisa pouted dramatically.

"Dylan."She dragged out my name.

"I mean it."

"I don't."For a brief moment, her smile faltered.Slowly, I removed her arms from around my neck.It wasn't the first time and It probably wouldn't be the last.

For years, I'd been trying to create boundaries with Lisa,For years, she'd ignored every single one of them.

"You're crushing my lungs."

"Dramatic."

"I'm serious."

"You love me."

"You're crazy."

"And you're funny."I stared at her.The scary thing was that she genuinely believed that. as if every rejection was somehow proof of affection.

"That was painful to watch."I heard and immediately turned.

Liam stood in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest.His expression looked like he'd just witnessed a public execution.

"Was having a great evening," he said dryly.

"Then you showed up."A smirk tugged at my lips.

"Funny."His eyes narrowed.

"What's funny?"

"I was having a great day too."I stepped closer.

"Didn't have to look at anything ugly for nearly twenty-four hours."Liam's jaw clenched.For one glorious second, I thought he might actually punch me.

"Dylan."

"Liam."We stared at each other,Years of rivalry crackled between us.Neither of us could remember exactly when we started hating each other.At this point, it had simply become tradition.

"Dylan."My mother's warning voice echoed from the dining room and I rolled my eyes.A second later, I heard Mrs. Hart sighed heavily.

"Enough guys"Neither of us moved......I turned to have a good look at them and that's when I noticed that dad was glaring hard at me while Mr Hart was just smiling.

"Both of you," she pointed toward the dining table.

"Sit down."Liam scoffed.I rolled my eyes again but we obeyed.Mostly because neither of us wanted another lecture.

The dining room looked exactly as I expected.Elegant,expensive and perfect......Everything father loved.He sat at the head of the table and across him sat President Hart and his wife.

"Dylan."My father's eyes settled on me,his expression remained neutral.No smile,No warmth.The same look he used when reviewing business reports.

"You're late."

"I know."His jaw tightened slightly.I sat down before he could continue.Unfortunately, Lisa immediately dragged her chair beside mine and I pretended not to notice.

Dinner was served shortly afterward and For the next several minutes, conversations flowed around the table.

Politics,Investments,International business deals,Upcoming elections,Stock markets,Trade agreements.

They discussed life-changing decisions with the same casual tone most people used to discuss the weather.Meanwhile, I just focused on my food.The less I participated, the faster the evening usually ended.

"Dylan."President Hart suddenly looked toward me.

"How have you been?"

"Fine."

"And school?"

"Fine."

"Hockey?"

"Fine."A laugh escaped him.

"Still a man of few words."He said and I shrugged.Across the table, Liam snorted into his drink and I noticed his father shot him a warning look.

Silence settled briefly,then Lisa leaned closer.

"I missed you so much."She said but I continued eating.

"Congratulations on winning your game."

"Thanks."

"I watched the livestream."

"I know."Her eyes widened.

"You knew?"

"You posted about it seventeen times."Liam nearly choked on his water while President Hart covered a smile.Even Mrs. Hart looked amused.

"I was supporting you."

"You were spamming the internet."

"Dylan!"For the first time that evening, I almost smiled.....almost.The adults returned to their discussions and I stopped listening after a while.

The chandelier overhead reflected across the polished dining table.Voices blended together into meaningless background noise..... Great......I knew it would be Just another political dinner,Just another evening pretending to be the perfect heir.

Just as I was in my thoughts.....Then I heard father cleared his throat.The room immediately fell silent.Something about the sudden change made me look up.

Father placed his wine glass on the table and President Hart did the same.A glance passed between them,a glance that instantly made me suspicious.

My father rarely looked pleased,Right now, he looked very pleased and that was never a good sign.

"Dylan."My stomach tightened.Whenever he used that tone, trouble followed.

"Yes?"He folded his hands calmly.

"There's something important we've all been discussing."He said and I frowned.Across from me, Liam suddenly shifted uncomfortably,That alone was enough to concern me while beside me, Lisa sat straighter in her chair.

What the hell was going on?My father continued.

"For years, the Hart and Winthrop families have shared an important relationship."President Hart nodded.

"We've built trust together"Father paused.

"Partnerships."

"Influence."

"History."Every instinct in my body immediately started screaming......Run.

"After careful consideration, we've decided it would be beneficial for both families to strengthen that relationship permanently."The room suddenly felt too quiet.

Lisa looked like she was trying very hard not to smile and.......Liam looked like he wanted to disappear.

Father looked directly at me,Then at Lisa,Then back at me again.

"Therefore, the Hart and Winthrop families have agreed that you and Lisa will be formally engaged."For a moment, I genuinely thought I'd heard him wrong.Nobody spoke.Nobody moved and slowly my fork slipped from my fingers.

The metallic clang echoed through the dining room and for the first time all evening... I couldn't find a single word to say.