Episode.17
669 Words
Chapter 17: Why Rose?
Rose didn't speak during the entire drive home.
Alexander kept glancing at her.
He knew she was angry.
And she had every right to be.
When they finally arrived, Rose got out of the car and walked straight inside.
Alexander followed.
“Rose.”
She stopped.
“Don't.”
He stood a few steps away.
“Let me explain.”
“You knew my surname before you met me.”
“Yes.”
“You knew my family was connected to your company.”
“Yes.”
“And you still asked me to sign a marriage contract without telling me?”
Alexander lowered his eyes.
“I didn't know the whole story.”
“But you knew enough to hide it.”
He had no answer.
Rose shook her head.
“I thought you chose me because you needed someone you could trust.”
“I did.”
“Then why me?”
Alexander looked at her.
“Because you were the only person I believed wouldn't try to use me.”
Rose stared at him.
“How could you know that?”
“I investigated you.”
Her expression fell.
“You investigated me?”
“I wanted to know who I was bringing into my life.”
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
Rose turned away.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Alexander said quietly,
“I didn't expect to care about you.”
Rose slowly turned around.
“What?”
He looked at her.
“When I offered you the contract, I thought it would be simple. One year. No emotions. No complications.”
“And now?”
Alexander took a breath.
“Now I don't know how to separate the contract from what I actually feel.”
Rose's heart beat faster.
She looked away.
“You can't say things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because we made a rule.”
“No falling in love.”
“Yes.”
Alexander gave a small, sad smile.
“Maybe that's the problem.”
Rose didn't answer.
Later that night, Rose went to her room.
She opened an old box she had brought from her childhood home.
Inside were photographs, letters, and a few documents belonging to her father.
She searched through them.
Then she found something she had never noticed before.
A small envelope.
Her name was written on it.
Rose.
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
Inside was a letter from her father.
She began to read.
The first sentence made her stop.
“If you ever meet Alexander King, there is something you must know.”
Rose's eyes widened.
She read the next line.
Then the next.
Her face slowly changed.
Her father knew Alexander.
He had known about the King family for years.
And at the bottom of the letter was one final sentence:
“Do not trust the person who tells you the contract was an accident.”
Rose dropped the letter onto the bed.
A sudden knock came at her door.
She quickly hid the letter.
“Who is it?”
Alexander's voice came from the other side.
“It's me.”
Rose opened the door slightly.
Alexander looked at her.
“Are you okay?”
Rose stared at him.
She wanted to tell him about the letter.
But something stopped her.
“I'm fine.”
He studied her face.
“You're lying.”
Rose forced a smile.
“Maybe I'm just tired.”
Alexander nodded slowly.
“Good night, Rose.”
“Good night.”
He walked away.
Rose closed the door.
Then she pulled the letter from beneath her pillow.
She looked at the final sentence again.
Do not trust the person who tells you the contract was an accident.
Rose whispered,
“Then who planned it?”
And downstairs, Alexander stood alone in the dark hallway.
He
was holding a second envelope.
One addressed to him.
The truth about Rose's father was about to come out.
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