contracted to my ruthless CEO

Chapter 2: No choice

She quickly stood up from the coach. Her feet were barely still and her mouth wide open. “What are you talking about dad?” she snapped

Her father looked away and hesitated. He couldn't say a word. “Gerard Blackwood” he finally says the name.

She stared at him. Her mouth went completely dry.

“Who is Gerard Blackwood?” Her voice came out flat. Dangerous. “And what does he want with me? And why now of all times?”

“He is the son of the man who saved our family years ago”

“Wait.” She snapped. “So are you saying I should marry someone I've never met before?”

Her father stood up. His palms folded as he stepped closer. “Yes Stacy. But I promise you with time, you will get to know each other.”

Stacy turned her head sideways avoiding her father's eye contact. “Dad I… I don’t know what you’re caught up in, but I can't marry him. I'm sorry.”

“Please Stacy, just sit down so we can talk about this properly.” Her dad pleaded earnestly.

Her heart raced as they both sat back on the coach. Her hands trembling. “A few years ago, my business collapsed.” He started slowly like he could not find the right way in. “It nearly took everything. Nearly took me to prison. But then, Richard Blackwood pulled me out of it. He restored everything I had built. But unfortunately nothing in this world comes without a price.”

He paused.

“We made an agreement to share the company's revenue equally. That our children, when the time came, would continue protecting what we built together. Through marriage.”

“Wait. I don't understand.” Her voice dropped. “Do you mean you signed a contract for me without my consent?”

“Stacy, come on. You were only nine years old back then.”

She stood up slowly and stepped even closer.

“It doesn't matter how old I was.” Her voice rose with every word. “Did you even think about me? Did my future mean anything to you when you were sitting across from that man signing my name on a paper?”

“I had no choice.” His jaw tightened “He saved everything. We agreed that if our children were both unmarried at twenty two, then the deal would hold.”

“And why is this happening now? Why tonight?”

“Because Richard Blackwood is requesting it.” His voice hardened. “He is seriously ill. The company is bleeding. And only this marriage can save what both our families have spent decades building.”

She could no longer feel her feet as her body went cold. “And what happens if I say no.” her voice cracked.

“Then our both families will lose everything.”

She shook her head slowly twice. Fear settled in her chest. “Dad. I won't accept this proposal.” she said quietly. “I don't care about the company or money or the agreement you made without me. I built my own life. And I will keep building it.”

Her father stood up. The air in the room changed immediately. He pointed one finger directly at her face. “I don't care about your opinion. You must marry him whether you like it or not.”

“And I said no dad. You can’t force that on me.”

The slap came fast before she could notice. Her head snapped sideways, her body followed it to the floor, and for a second, her vision was blurry. Her cheek burned. Her ear rang. The taste of iron filled her mouth.

“You don't have a choice.” Her father continued, like the slap had simply been a punctuation mark. “I won't lose my company because of you.”

Stacy pushed herself back up slowly. Shaking but she still managed to get up. She laughed bitterly and wiped her face with the back of her hand and stared at him for a moment. “Then you better prepare to bury me father.” Her voice came out steady. “Because I would rather die than marry that man.”

Stacy turns and immediately walks down the hallway, shutting the door behind her. She sat on the edge of her bed, breathing fast as her heart pounded like a drum.

“Am I dreaming?” The thought moved through her mind slowly. “This can't be possible”

Across the city the same night, the gates of Blackwood estates opened again for Gerard after a long time. Two guards stood at attention as the car pulled in. Gerard Blackwood stepped out into the cool night air with Daniella's hand in his.

He walked into the living room of the house he grew up in and found his father exactly where he always was seated, still, wearing that cold expression.

“Welcome home, son!”

“Thank you dad.”

His father's eyes immediately landed on their hands holding each other and went back up to their faces. But he didn't comment. “Go and have a seat. We have to talk. It’s really important!”

“Dad, come on, I just landed.” Gerard said. “Can't it wait till tomorrow?”

“No Gerard it can’t.” His father answered flatly.

They both sat down as Daniella slowly smoothed her dress. The one she had carefully chosen that morning. Elegant and classic. The room went quiet. His father kept looking at Daniella for a long time. She avoided meeting with his eyes.

“I see you brought someone home.” he finally said

“Yes dad.” He held her hands and smiled at her softly. “This is Daniella. The woman I want to marry.”

“The woman you want to marry huh? He asked sarcastically and scoffed a little. “Unfortunately, you won't be marrying her.” His father shot back.

The words landed sharply. Gerard stood up immediately. His brows raised and his hands tightened at his sides. Daniella sat still, still trying to process what she just heard. Her eyes still glued to the floor.

“Dad, what is this? What are you talking about?” His voice came out low. “And why can’t I marry her?”

“Because son, you already belong to someone else.”

“Dad …”

Before he could even finish the word, his father began coughing slightly moving towards the floor. He held his chest with his hands. His feet went cold.

Daniella stood up shaking. Her hands trembled while she tried to dial the emergency number in her phone.

“Dad.” Gerard's voice rose shaky and desperate. “No please don’t do this.”