The Lie between us

FIFTEEN DAYS

Lucien’s POV

I sat behind my desk, my attention fixed on the document in front of me. I had been reading the same pages for several minutes, but the information was no easier to accept.

The Harrington deal was one of the most important opportunities Beaufort Holdings had pursued in years. If the agreement went through, the company would gain access to a new international market and strengthen its position against several major competitors.

I had spent months negotiating the deal. Every figure had been reviewed, every condition had been discussed, and both sides had finally reached an agreement.

Or so I had thought.

I looked down at the document again.

Marriage.

My face remained expressionless, but my fingers slowly tightened around the edge of the document.

“This is absurd.”

Nicolas, who stood on the other side of the desk, remained calm.

“I expected you to say that.”

I lifted my eyes.

“You knew about this?”

“I knew there was an old agreement between the Beauforts and the Harringtons. I did not expect the condition to become relevant again.”

I leaned back in my chair.

“Then explain it to me.”

Nicolas placed another document on the desk.

“Your grandfather made the agreement with the Harrington family many years ago. At the time, both families were trying to protect their businesses and ensure that the succession would continue properly.”

I opened the document and began reading.

Nicolas continued.

“Your grandfather wanted to build trust between the two families. He believed that the Beaufort legacy should not simply be handed to the wrong person. Whoever eventually took control of the company was expected to protect what the family had built and ensure that it continued to the next generation.”

My eyes moved across the page.

“And marriage was part of the agreement?”

“It was one of the conditions.”

I closed the document.

“That agreement was made decades ago.”

“I know.”

“Then why does it matter now?”

Nicolas took a breath before answering.

“Because the Harringtons have decided to enforce it.”

I looked at him.

“They are using an agreement my grandfather made decades ago to decide whether I can complete a business deal?”

“They see it differently. The Harringtons are investing a great deal into this partnership. They want reassurance that the Beaufort family will remain stable and that the company will continue under someone who is committed to its future.”

I gave a quiet, humorless laugh.

“So they want a wife to prove that I am committed to my own company.”

“They want to know that the person taking the company forward has something beyond business interests tying him to the future of the family.”

I looked away.

I understood the logic, even if I hated it.

The Harringtons were not a small company that could be ignored. Their partnership would open doors that Beaufort Holdings had been trying to reach for years. Losing the agreement would not destroy the company, but it would delay several plans and give our competitors an opportunity to move ahead of us.

I had never built my reputation by walking away from difficult situations.

But this was different.

This was my personal life.

Women had never been difficult to find. They approached me everywhere I went, and some had made their interest obvious without the slightest hesitation. I had received countless invitations, messages, and attempts to get my attention.

I had never encouraged any of them.

I had never courted anyone, and I had never seen a reason to start. Marriage was not something I could enter simply because a woman was attractive or interested in me. I needed to know exactly what I was getting into, and I had no intention of bringing the wrong person into my family or my business.

Finding a woman was easy.

Finding the right woman was another matter entirely.

I turned another page.

“What happens if I refuse?”

“The Harringtons will withdraw from the agreement.”

My fingers tightened around the edge of the document.

“And there is no other way to satisfy the condition?”

“Not if you want the deal.”

I remained silent.

For a moment, the only sound in the office was the faint ticking of the clock.

I had worked too hard to get this far. I was not going to let an old agreement interfere with something that could change the future of Beaufort Holdings.

“What exactly does the agreement require?”

Nicolas pointed toward the final section.

“You must be legally married before the final contract is signed.”

My expression darkened.

“How long do I have?”

“Fifteen days.”

I stared at him.

“Fifteen days?”

“Yes.”

I looked back at the document.

Fifteen days to find a woman willing to become my wife.

The idea was absurd.

I had never promised marriage to anyone, and now I was expected to find a wife because of an agreement my grandfather had made years ago.

Nicolas watched me for a moment before speaking again.

“You know, there are plenty of women who would gladly take that position.”

“Then marry one of them,” I replied with a straight face.

“I could prepare a list for you. In fact, I already have someone in mind.”

My eyes remained fixed on the document.

Nicolas waited for a response.

None came.

“Lucien?”

I closed the file.

I stood from my chair and walked around the desk without answering.

Nicolas turned to watch me.

“You’re not even going to consider the suggestions?”

I stopped briefly at the door. I glanced back at him, my expression unreadable.

“I don’t need suggestions.”

Then I opened the door and walked out.

I walked down the hallway without looking back.

Fifteen days.

He had no intention of getting married, and the Harringtons had no right to decide otherwise.

If they thought they could force a wife on him, they were about to learn just how wrong they were.