Chapter 2

LAURA

"So, you're really getting married, huh?"

Instead of answering her friend Margarette's question, Laura swallowed the bottle of liquor she was holding. She was at Margarette's apartment at the moment, having gone there after visiting Peter's place. She needed someone to talk to and vent her feelings, and Margarette was the only one she could think of. Margarette and I have been friends since college, classmates in some subjects, and we clicked due to our similar personalities.

Upon arriving at Margarette's apartment, Laura immediately recounted her father's demands, Peter's betrayal, and her impulsive decision to end things.

"And where's that cheating boyfriend—"

"Ex," Laura cut her off, having already mentally ended the relationship despite no formal discussion with Peter.

"Okay, where's that fucking asshole of an ex-boyfriend? If I see him, I'll give him an uppercut," Margarette said, her voice laced with irritation.

"Don't waste your time on him. He's not worth it," Laura replied to her friend.

Margarette let out a deep sigh, leaning back against the sofa's headrest with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Are you really sure about your decision, Laura? Are you sure about marrying a man you don't even know?" she asked, her gaze fixed intently on Laura.

Laura looked up, meeting her friend's eyes, but couldn't find the words to answer. Honestly, she didn't want to marry him.

It seemed Margarette read her mind. "If you're unsure, you can still back out, Laura. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, not something you can spit out like hot food." Margarette voice was laced with concern. "For God's sake, Draco Atlas, the man you're marrying? You said he's around your father's age. Once you're married, I can't imagine you two kissing, and..." Margarette's face contorted in distaste before she could finish.

Honestly, Laura wasn't sure about Draco's age or if he was old. She'd tried searching for him on social media, but only his name and business achievements appeared, no photos. She assumed he was older because her father described him as a business tycoon and acquaintance.

Laura took a deep breath, realizing she hadn't considered Draco's age when agreeing to marry him. As she'd said, it was an impulsive decision, driven by Peter's betrayal and her bruised ego. She'd accepted her father's proposal without question, partly to spite Peter. But she still didn't understand why her father wanted her to marry this business tycoon; she'd never asked.

"But seriously, Laura, think carefully about this decision while it's not too late." Margarette seemed opposed to her choice. "And what do you want? Do you want your idiot ex-boyfriend to laugh at you for replacing him with someone triple his age? That'll just feed his ego. If you want to get back at him, find someone better - handsome, tall, hot, around your age, and richer." As Margarette listed the qualities, Laura's mind unexpectedly drifted to the mysterious stranger she met in the building. The description fit him perfectly.

Except for his cold expression and piercing stare that sent shivers down her spine. His gaze was intimidating, making her feel guilty despite it being their first encounter.

And up until now, she can still vividly remember those devilish eyes that are scary.

Laura shook off the thought of the stranger, wondering why she was even thinking about him when she didn't know him. She was certain their paths wouldn't cross again since she'd avoid the place they met.

"Think carefully about this, Laura. You might regret it later."

*****

"YOUR wedding to Mr. Smith is already settled, Laura."

Laura's eyes widened at the statement, having expected a different response when she expressed her change of heart about marrying Draco Atlas Smith. She'd impulsively withdrawn her agreement due to her emotions over Peter's betrayal, but now her mind was clearer, and she was filled with regret.

Margarette was right, marriage is a lifetime commitment, not something you can spit out like hot rice. After thinking clearly, Laura immediately went to her father to withdraw her decision. But that's what he said to her.

"'It's not too late. I can still back out because we haven't—"

"It's settled already, Laura," he cut her off. "When you called me to accept the marriage to Draco, I immediately contacted him and informed him of your agreement."

Laura took a deep breath. "Can I get Draco's number? I'll call him and tell him I'm withdrawing my decision."

"'You won't do that," her father said in a cold voice.

"Why can't I?"

"Because I said so, Laura. And I've told you, I'm the one in control here. You'll marry Draco, whether you like it or not," he said in an angry voice.

"But this is my life. I don't want to marry him." She tried to reason out.

"You'll marry him, Laura," he said firmly.

"Why do you want me to marry that man so badly?" she couldn't help but ask. She knew he didn't love her, but she still wanted to understand why he was pushing her to marry Draco."

"Because Draco is the only one who can help me save my assets, Laura," her father replied.

Laura's lips parted in surprise at his words. "My businesses are on the brink of bankruptcy, and if that happens, everything I've worked for will be gone. And of all the people I've asked for help, Draco is the only one willing to assist me in getting back on my feet," he continued. So that's why her father seemed stressed, and why he agreed to the marriage - his business troubles.

"And the price of his help is marrying me?" She wanted to laugh but she stop herself.

"Yes," her father replied curtly. Her fists clenched again. She should be immune to the pain by now, having felt unloved since she was young, but she couldn't help it. Why did she have to be sacrificed to save his assets? A pang struck her heart.

"And you have no choice but to marry him, Laura. Otherwise, you'll lose Miller Estate."

"What?!"

"Don't raise your voice at me, Laura," her father said sternly.

She composed herself. "What does Miller Estate have to do with this? It's Mom's, her inheritance to me," she said, her brow furrowing involuntarily.

"And your mother is my wife, Laura. Miller Estate is still in my name," he replied. "And if you don't marry Draco, Miller Estate will be one of the things we'll lose. I'm sure you don't want that to happen - you love Miller Estate so much," he added.

For a moment, she couldn't find her voice. Her father's words struck true - she deeply loved Miller Estate, the only inheritance from her mother. The said estate held a special place in her heart, where she grew up surrounded by those who truly loved her.

Laura noticed the faint smile on her father's lips as he observed her silence, seeming to know the outcome of their conversation.

"If you want to lose the Miller Estate you love so much, continue being stubborn. But if you don't want to lose it, agree to the marriage," he continued. He glanced at his wristwatch. "Draco will visit me here. Make yourself presentable, Laura. I want to introduce you to your future husband," he said before looking away.

Laura bit her lower lip as her eyes welled up with tears, threatening to spill over. Her father seemed to have dismissed her, focusing on the papers in front of him, giving her no further attention.

For what felt like the hundredth time, Laura took a deep breath to calm herself. She stepped out of the library, but instead of leaving the mansion, she headed to her old room, not to make herself presentable for Draco, but for her own sake.

Laura headed to her room to prepare for her first meeting with Draco. She wanted to see him, not just to be introduced. She wanted to talk to him, to propose an alternative arrangement - something other than marriage - in exchange for his help in saving her father's assets, including Miller Estate.

Laura waited in her room, anticipating Draco's arrival. An hour later, she heard the rumble of a car engine. She stood up from the bed's edge and walked to the window, peeking outside. She looked down and saw a sleek black car parked below.

Laura also saw her father, seemingly greeting his visitor. Moments later, she refocused on the car as the backseat door swung open. Her lips parted involuntarily as she caught sight of the man stepping out, greeted by her father.

It seemed that Draco Atlas Smith was indeed the man. And she and Margarette were right - Draco Atlas Smith was an old man, looking even older than her father. Could it really be that her father wanted her to marry that elderly man?