Chapter One

“Mommy, where are we going?” I asked, confused, as the celebration ended and we took a road that clearly wasn’t leading back home.

“Sweetheart, do you trust your mommy?” she asked with a soft smile, her eyes almost searching for my answer.

“Of course. You’re my mom… I trust you,” I said quietly.

I glanced at Dad when I heard him whisper something, but I couldn’t make it out because my attention was locked on Mom. She looked totally zoned out, constantly glancing at Dad.

It felt like… something bad was about to happen, and she wanted to stop it?

She shook her head when her eyes met Dad’s. “Hon, maybe we don’t have to do this? We could find another way that doesn’t involve that family—”

“Shut up. I didn’t ask for your opinion. If you think this isn’t necessary, then clearly you don’t care about the company our whole family built.” Dad said firmly, and it made me freeze.

It was the company’s anniversary and the celebration had just wrapped up. I was so drained from being introduced to so many people—mostly business partners’ children—that I just wanted to sleep. And now we were driving somewhere unfamiliar. I noticed Mom’s hands trembling. She clearly didn’t agree with whatever decision this was.

“Daddy, what’s going on? Can we please go home? I’m really tired… and Mommy too…” I said softly.

There were four of us in the car. My older brother was driving. Dad was in the front passenger seat. Mom and I were in the back, silently sitting.

“There might be another option. She’s our only daughter, hon. I don’t want—”

“Can you just be quiet?” Dad snapped, turning to face us so Mom would stop talking. “This is for her too. She should be grateful. The company will be hers someday since her brother started his own business. Why can’t this work? It’s a small sacrifice, hon.”

I furrowed my brows, confused, especially when Mom looked at me, clearly worried.

Was I the one they were talking about? Why? What for?

“Whatever happens, don’t react too much. We don’t want to offend the Fenwicks. Watch how you act. And if you’ve got nothing nice to say, don’t say anything,” Dad reminded me once we stepped out of the car and stood in front of a mansion.

The house was beautiful, and there were guards all over the place. No wonder Dad didn’t bring any of our own—this place had tight security.

Why were we even here?

Was Dad partnering with another company?

But… why bring me?

Out of the four of us, they’re the business-minded ones. I’m just a second-year college student. I should be focusing on school.

I have heard rumors about our company having problems…

Every time I asked Mom, she’d just shake her head and say nothing. Sometimes I wish I could investigate on my own since I never get any clear answers from her.

“Is this your only daughter, Morleigh?” said a man about the same age as Dad, smiling at me.

I smiled back wide and took his extended hand. “Good evening, sir.”

“Good evening, dear,” he replied.

I glanced at the table and realized he wasn’t alone. I quickly straightened up when I saw all the eyes fixed on us.

I wanted to nudge my brother and ask him what was going on, but there were too many people watching. I couldn’t afford to make a wrong move.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Dad greeted warmly as we all took our seats—with name cards in front of each one.

They already knew who I was?

Well, maybe that’s normal. We’re a well-known and wealthy family. Even as a student, a lot of people know who I am. So… I guess it makes sense they’d know me?

“This is Kelly,” Dad introduced me to the guy sitting across. I stood and extended my hand for a shake.

“Elias,” he said simply.

He didn’t take my hand. I awkwardly lowered it, swallowed hard, and just wanted to sit back down. There were so many eyes on us, but he didn’t even bother to shake my hand… even just out of politeness!

“Elias, she’s going to be your wife…” said the first man I greeted earlier—who turns out to be Elias's dad. He seemed approachable, unlike his son.

Wait… what?

I’m going to be what?

“Wife?!” I blurted out, eyes wide, staring at my dad.