The Brothers Temptation

Marry Darius Graham." That was it. It was a command, not a request. The cup of coffee she'd been holding slipped through her fingers, crashing to the floor of her father's study. Black liquid splashed across the hardwood, but neither of them moved to clean it up. "What did you just say?" Tiara's voice was barely a whisper, hoping, praying she'd misheard. Her father, Marcus Chen, didn't flinch. The lines on his face seemed deeper today, the gray at his temples more pronounced as he sat behind his massive oak desk. The familiar setting of his home office with its wall of business awards and family photos suddenly felt like it was closing in on her. "You heard me, Tiara. Graham Enterprises has offered to absorb Chen Industries, save all our employees' jobs, and leave us with enough to live comfortably." He wouldn't meet her eyes. "The condition is that you marry Darius Graham." Tiara's laugh was hollow. "Is this a joke? Because it's not funny, Dad." "Do I look like I'm joking?" His voice hardened. "We're bankrupt, Tiara. Six months of failed deals and that lawsuit drained everything. I've mortgaged the house, maxed out my credit... there's nothing left." The room spinned. Tiara gripped the back of a leather chair to steady herself. "So you're selling me? Like some medieval princess?" Her voice rose with each word. "To Darius Graham of all people?" At that, her father finally looked up. "You know him?" "Know him?" The memories she'd spent years burying came flooding back. Senior year. The rumors. The photos that never existed but everyone claimed to have seen. The way her last months of high school became a nightmare because of one entitled rich boy's wounded ego. "He made my life hell in high school after I turned him down for prom." Her father waved dismissively. "That was years ago. People change." "Not people like him." Tiara crossed her arms. "Find another way." "There is no other way!" Marcus slammed his palm on the desk. "I've tried everything. Every bank, every investor. Nobody wants to touch us after what happened with the Miller contract." Tiara turned away, walking to the window. Outside, spring had painted their garden in vivid greens and pinks—her mother's roses blooming as they did every year. Her mother, who'd taught her to stand up for herself, to never let anyone dictate her worth, would be horrified by this conversation. "Why me?" she asked quietly. "Why not sell them the patents? The factory? Why does it have to be...this?"Her father's reflection in the window glass looked smaller somehow. "It was Darius's specific request. He wants you, Tiara. And he's willing to save our company for you." The nausea that had been building finally peaked. Tiara pressed her forehead against the cool glass. "As if! And if I refuse?" "Then we lose everything. I lose everything," he corrected himself, the selfishness of the statement not lost on her. "The house, my reputation, my life's work. Over three hundred people lose their jobs. Is that what you want?" She spun around. "Don't you dare put this on me! You're the one who ran the company into the ground. You're the one who made bad decisions. And now you expect me to clean up your mess by what? Becoming some billionaire's trophy wife?" "You're being selfish." The words hit her like a slap. "If you don't do this, we lose everything. Everything I've built. Everything I planned to leave to you someday." "At what cost Dad? My freedom? My self-respect?" Tiara's voice cracked. "You don't even care what he did to me, do you?" Marcus looked away, guilt flashing across his face before hardening into resolve. "We have a meeting with the Grahams tomorrow. Their lawyer will go over the terms." "Terms?" She felt sick. "Like I'm a business transaction?" "You have until then to think it over." "There's nothing to think over. My answer is no." Tiara headed for the door, her legs shaking with every step. "Tiara, please—" She paused, hand on the doorknob. "Did Mom know? Before she died, did she know you'd be willing to sell her daughter to save your precious company?" The flash of pain in her father's eyes gave her a momentary, cruel satisfaction. Without waiting for his answer, she walked out, slamming the door behind her. In the hallway, Tiara leaned against the wall, fighting back tears. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, probably Leah wanting to confirm their dinner plans. How could she explain this? Sorry, can't make it. My father just arranged my marriage to the worst scum of the earth that made me switch schools my senior year. Her phone buzzed again, this time with an email notification. Absently, she opened it, then froze.From: D.Graham@grahamenterprises.comSubject: Tomorrow's Meeting Ms. Chen, Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. I trust your father has informed you of our arrangement. It's been a long time. I imagine you never expected to hear from me again, much less under these circumstances. Life has a way of bringing people full circle, doesn't it? Until tomorrow, Darius Graham CEO, Graham Enterprises Tiara stared at the screen, rage boiling inside her. The casual tone, the D.Graham@grahamenterprises.com to her room. Deep down, beneath the anger and the humiliation, a cold realization was settling in her stomach. She had no choice. Not really. Not if it meant saving her father from ruin, saving hundreds of employees from unemployment. Darius Graham had her exactly where he wanted her. Again. And this time, there was no escaping him.