The Vow Of Forever

Chapter 2: The Unlikely Bride

Ivy Morgan sat on the edge of the wide pine table, tentatively tracing the edge of her glass. The electricity in the room was so heavy it crackled with unspoken tension. Her father, Edward Morgan, perched at the head of the table, emanating authority that she began to detest and dislike over the years. Gabriel Steele's frigid, shrewd gaze caught hers for a brief moment before returning his focus to her father.

She was about to get married to Gabriel Steele, as announced a moment earlier. The hush that ensued seemed deafening. Ivy had hardly managed to grasp the gravity of her father's remarks. "It's for the greater good of the family, Ivy," he had said. "This marriage will secure our future."

Secure the future? Was this really what they’d come to? Was she just a player in her father's unending games?

She moved in her seat, the diamond ring on her finger reflecting the light, a harsh reminder of the agreement her father had just reached. She couldn't even remember consenting to this—one moment she was being informed of Gabriel's proposal, and the next she was wearing his ring. How had this happened? How had she gone from being her father’s dutiful daughter to an object in a corporate war between two billion-dollar empires?

“Gabriel,” Edward’s voice broke through her thoughts, commanding and smooth, like the practiced tone of someone who had never once second-guessed his own authority. “Let’s discuss the terms of the agreement, shall we?”

Her gaze flicked to Gabriel. His expression was unreadable. Cold, distant—nothing like the man she’d seen in the media: the ruthless billionaire, the heir to Steele Industries who had spent years battling her family. He was a man with everything and yet nothing at all.

Gabriel Steele wasn’t here for her, not really. He wasn’t here to see Ivy; he was here for the empire she was tethered to. Ivy was just the final pawn he needed to checkmate her father’s pride and greed. She had known that from the moment her father had agreed to the terms of their marriage.

“I believe the terms have already been outlined,” Gabriel said, his voice low, precise. His dark eyes flicked to Ivy for a split second before he returned his focus to her father. “I will marry your daughter, and in exchange, I’ll ensure that Steele Industries secures the deal that will stabilize the future of Morgan Enterprises. Simple.”

Her heart pounded as she met Gabriel’s gaze again. The words hung in the air like a dangerous spark ready to ignite. He wasn’t interested in her as a woman, but as leverage. And worse—he was right. Her "What if I don't want to get married to you?" Ivy's voice was shaking, just above a whisper, but it conveyed a sense of resistance she was unaware she had. Her hands stuck to the table's borders, knuckles white.

Gabriel's lips formed a frigid, humorless grin. “I don’t think you have much of a choice, Ivy.”

The finality in his words stung. The room appeared to shrink, and her father's sneer sharpened like a sword. Ivy gulped hard, attempting to overcome the sensation of hopelessness that threatened to overtake her.

"Father," she said, her voice wavering, "This is what you want, right?" To sell me off to settle your grudges? You know the history—our families are enemies.”

Edward leaned forward; his gaze intense, unflinching. “This isn’t about settling grudges, Ivy. It’s about survival. You’ll do your duty. You’ll marry Gabriel, and you’ll put an end to this family feud once and for all.”

The weight of his words crushed her, but Ivy remained silent She didn't want to aggravate him any further, especially with so much at stake. But deep down, she couldn't escape the idea that such a thing was more than simply a company.

She stood swiftly, unable to take the smothering tension any longer. "I need some air," she said before turning and leaving the room, disregarding the two men's glances.

Outside, the crisp evening air struck her like a slap. Ivy leaned against the railing, inhaling slowly and attempting to clear her head. The metropolis spread before her, the skyscrapers of Washington, DC standing in stark contrast to the maelstrom whirling inside her chest. Her thoughts were a jumble of talks and senseless recollections.

Her father’s lies. Gabriel’s cold eyes. The pressure of her duty.

She glimpsed at the horizon, attempting to make sense of everything, but the truth seemed like a brief shadow that slid just beyond her grasp. What had her father done? What had he dragged her into? This was no longer just about business or family loyalty—it was about truth. The truth that she could feel stirring within her, threatening to break free.

“I didn’t think you’d run off so soon,” a voice interrupted her thoughts.

She turned, startled. Gabriel stood at the entrance; his form highlighted by the gentle lighting from within. His presence was imposing, and it was difficult to neglect the hostility between them.

“Are you following me now?” Ivy shot back; her tone sharper than she intended.

Gabriel didn’t flinch. Instead, he took a hesitant step toward her, his gaze sharpening as he observed her. "I'm here as we need to talk."

“Talk?” Ivy scoffed. “About what? This is a transaction, Gabriel. Nothing more. You're here for business, and I'm here because my father placed me in this spot. Do not act like you you're concerned about me."

Gabriel's lips quirked, as though he were having trouble with a feeling or an idea, but it vanished as fast as it appeared. "You're right," he said, his voice frigid. "I do not care about you. But I care about getting this marriage over with, and so do you.”

Ivy felt a pang of bitterness. Was he really that callous? Did he not even see her as a person She grasped her hands, attempting to calm herself.

"I have no clue of what's happening anymore," she said, more to herself than to him. "My father struck a bargain with you, and I'm meant to simply accept it? There’s more to this, Gabriel. You don’t know everything.”

Gabriel's eyes shone with something—perhaps curiosity, but perhaps something worse. "What do you mean?"

She caught his stare, with her heart racing in her chest. “My father’s hiding something. I overheard him talking about a deal, something to do with the Steele family… something he’s kept hidden for years.”

Gabriel's frowned, and for the first time, Ivy noticed a spark of something—anger, perhaps? —in his eyes. He stepped closer, his tone low. "What deal?"

But before Ivy could react, she heard a vehicle engine revving in the distance. Her heart leaps a beat. It could not have happened at a worse time.

She didn't get to clarify or ask Gabriel what he knew since the automobile came to a halt just outside the gates. In the short moment before the door opened, Ivy felt an unfamiliar creeping, discomfort spread across her entire body.

“Stay inside,” Gabriel ordered, his tone sharp. "Avoid going out."

But Ivy's curiosity got the best of her, and before she realized it, she was walking back inside, the sounds of footsteps becoming louder.

She had little time to comprehend the following name, which sent shivers down her spine: Richard Blackwell.

Her breath hitched. No… it couldn’t be.

The door flew open.