THE CONTRACT PROPOSAL
1202 Words
Episode 3
THE CONTRACT PROPOSAL
The conference room felt smaller than Clara remembered.
Or perhaps it was not the room that had changed.
Perhaps it was her.
Five years ago, she had walked into this building holding Ethan Lancaster's hand, believing she would one day stand beside him as his wife.
Today, she sat across from him as a business partner.
Nothing more.
"Your proposal is impressive."
Ethan's voice broke the silence.
Clara looked up from the documents in front of her.
His expression was controlled, the same unreadable expression he had worn when he ended their engagement.
But this time, she noticed something different.
A hesitation.
A question hidden behind his eyes.
She ignored it.
"Thank you, Mr. Lancaster."
The formal title sounded strangely painful.
Ethan's fingers tightened slightly against the table.
Five years ago, she had called him Ethan.
Now, she spoke to him like he was a stranger.
"You've built a successful company."
Clara closed the folder.
"I worked hard for it."
"I can see that."
There was something in his voice.
Something almost like admiration.
But Clara refused to let herself care.
Admiration does not erase humiliation.
Respect does not erase betrayal.
And regret did not erase five years.
"I assume we are here to discuss business."
Her calm response reminded Ethan that the woman sitting in front of him was not the same Clara who once cried and begged him to listen.
This Clara was confident.
Powerful.
Untouchable.
"The Lancaster project is important to us," Clara continued. "Bennett Design Group is prepared to deliver the highest standard."
Ethan studied her.
"You always believed in your work."
A strange silence followed.
Because that sentence sounded like the Ethan she used to know.
The man who supported her dreams.
The man who stayed awake at night helping her review designs.
The man who once told her that her talent was greater than her circumstances.
Clara pushed the memory away.
"People change, Mr. Lancaster."
Her words carried a meaning he understood.
Ethan looked away.
Before he could respond, the conference room door opened.
His assistant stepped inside.
"Mr. Lancaster, your grandfather wants to see you immediately."
Ethan frowned.
"Now?"
"Yes, sir. He said it cannot wait."
Clara gathered her documents.
"Then we can continue this discussion another time."
She stood.
For a moment, Ethan wanted to stop her.
He wanted to ask questions.
Where had she been?
Why had she disappeared?
Why did seeing her again feel like reopening a wound he thought had healed?
But pride held him back.
"Ms. Bennett."
She paused.
"Yes?"
His eyes met hers.
There were a thousand things he wanted to say.
But only one came out.
"Nothing."
Clara gave a polite nod and walked away.
Ethan watched until the door closed.
And for the first time in years, he admitted something he had refused to accept.
Seeing Clara again had unsettled him.
Arthur Lancaster sat beside the window of his private study, watching the rain fall over the estate.
Age had weakened his body.
But his mind remained sharp.
"Ethan."
The older man looked up as his grandson entered.
"Sit."
Ethan obeyed.
His grandfather rarely sounded serious unless something important was happening.
"What happened five years ago still troubles this family."
Ethan's expression hardened.
"Grandfather, if this is about Clara—"
"It is."
The interruption surprised him.
Arthur sighed.
"You made a mistake."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"I made a decision based on evidence."
"No."
Arthur looked directly at him.
"You made a decision based on pain."
The words struck deeper than expected.
Because somewhere inside, he knew there was truth in them.
"I lost everything because I trusted the wrong person."
Arthur shook his head.
"You lost everything because you stopped trusting the right one."
Silence filled the room.
Ethan looked away.
He hated that his grandfather could still see through him.
"Why did you call me here?"
Arthur reached for a document on the table.
"Because Lancaster Holdings needs stability."
Ethan took the paper.
His eyes moved across the contents.
A clause.
A condition.
A requirement.
His expression changed.
"What is this?"
"Your father's trust agreement."
Arthur leaned back.
"Before you inherit complete control of the company, there is one condition."
Ethan continued reading.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"Marriage?"
Arthur nodded.
"You must be legally married within ninety days."
Ethan almost laughed.
"That's ridiculous."
"It was your family's decision."
"I am the CEO of this company."
"And you are still part of this family."
Ethan placed the document down.
"I won't marry someone because of a contract."
Arthur's expression remained calm.
"Then Victor will gain controlling influence."
The room became silent.
Victor Lancaster.
The cousin who had spent years waiting for Ethan to fail.
Ethan knew exactly what would happen.
Victor would tear apart everything his family had built.
"I won't allow that."
"Then find a solution."
Ethan stood.
"This conversation is over."
But as he walked toward the door, one thought entered his mind.
A woman with cold eyes.
A woman who no longer needed him.
Clara Bennett.
That night, Clara sat in her apartment reviewing business documents.
She had expected the meeting with Ethan to hurt.
She had prepared herself.
But she had not expected the disappointment.
Because a small part of her had wondered if he would apologize.
If he would finally say the words she waited five years to hear.
"I'm sorry."
But Ethan Lancaster had said nothing.
Her phone rang.
It was Emily.
"Clara, the Lancaster project is still available. They want a second meeting."
Clara leaned back.
"Fine. Arrange it."
"Are you sure?"
Clara looked at the city lights outside her window.
Five years ago, she would have been afraid.
Today, she wasn't.
"Yes."
After the call ended, she noticed a message from an unknown number.
She opened it.
Ethan Lancaster wants to meet you tomorrow. Alone.
Clara stared at the screen.
Her first instinct was to refuse.
Then another thought appeared.
Why?
Why would Ethan want to see her alone after five years?
She knew Ethan.
He never did anything without a reason.
And whatever reason he had...
She intended to find out.
The next evening, Clara entered the private restaurant Ethan had chosen.
He was already waiting.
The moment she sat down, she noticed something unusual.
Ethan looked nervous.
The billionaire who controlled one of the largest companies in America looked preparing for a battle.
"What do you want, Ethan?"
The use of his name surprised him.
The first time she had said it in years.
He took a breath.
"I need your help."
Clara almost smiled.
The irony was almost unbelievable.
The man who once destroyed her was now asking for something from her.
"What kind of help?"
Ethan looked directly into her eyes.
"Marry me."
The words fell between them.
Clara stared at him.
For a moment, she wondered if she had heard incorrectly.
Then she saw the seriousness in his eyes.
Five years ago, he had taken away her future.
Now he was asking her to become his wife.
A cold smile slowly appeared on her lips.
"Interesting."
Ethan waited.
Clara leaned back.
"Tell me, Mr. Lancaster..."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Why would I ever marry the man who destroyed me?"
- Writer
