Chapter 2: One Impossible Choice
928 Words
The diamond ring sat between us like a loaded weapon.
I couldn’t look away from it.
“I think you’ve made a mistake.”
Lucien Kingston’s expression remained perfectly calm.
“I don’t.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I know enough.”
“You’ve said that twice.”
“And I’ll say it again if necessary.”
I stared at him, searching for any sign that this was some elaborate prank.
There wasn’t one.
He was completely serious.
“You expect me to marry a man I’ve known for less than ten minutes?”
“I expect you to consider the alternative.”
His eyes drifted to the foreclosure notice.
I hated that he didn’t need to explain.
I already knew what the alternative was.
My father cleared his throat.
“Mr. Kingston…”
Lucien looked at him.
“Why her?”
The question hung heavily in the room.
Why me?
Out of every woman in the city…
Why me?
Lucien was silent for so long I wondered if he’d answer.
Finally, he said, “Because she’s the only woman I can marry.”
I frowned.
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It will.”
“When?”
“When you’re my wife.”
I let out a disbelieving laugh.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I can give today.”
Frustration burned through me.
“You want me to gamble my entire life on your secrets?”
“No.”
His voice remained even.
“I want you to decide whether saving your father is worth one year of yours.”
One year.
The words echoed in my head.
I’d been so shocked by the proposal that I hadn’t asked the most obvious question.
“This isn’t… forever?”
“No.”
He slid the contract toward me.
“Twelve months.”
I hesitated before opening it.
The first page outlined the terms.
A legal marriage.
One year.
Separate bedrooms.
Separate finances.
No interference in each other’s careers.
Absolute confidentiality.
At the end of twelve months, a private divorce.
No financial claims.
No public scandal.
It read less like a marriage and more like a merger between two companies.
“You planned all this.”
“I plan everything.”
I looked up.
“You’ve done this before.”
“No.”
“Then why does it feel rehearsed?”
For the first time, something flickered behind his eyes.
Not guilt.
Regret.
“Because I don’t intend to fail.”
Before I could ask what he meant, his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
He silenced the call.
A second later, it rang again.
He declined it without hesitation.
Whoever was calling…
They were important.
But not important enough.
“I have less than four hours left,” he said quietly.
“So stop wasting them.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
A long silence followed.
Then, to my surprise…
Lucien stood.
He closed the folder and picked up the ring box.
“I won’t pressure you.”
I blinked.
“What?”
“You’ve already said no.”
“So… you’re leaving?”
“Yes.”
He slipped the ring into his pocket.
“If you change your mind…”
He removed a business card and placed it gently on the desk.
“My private number.”
I didn’t touch it.
“I won’t call.”
“We’ll see.”
He turned toward the door.
Then paused.
Without looking back, he said quietly,
“Sienna…”
The sound of my name on his lips sent an unexpected shiver through me.
“I truly hope you never have to find out why I chose you.”
And then…
He walked away.
The office felt strangely empty after he left.
No one spoke.
My father stared at the closed door for what felt like forever.
Finally, he sat down heavily in his chair.
“I’m sorry.”
I turned to him.
“Dad…”
“I swore I’d never ask you to sacrifice your future because of my mistakes.”
He covered his face with both hands.
“I’ve failed you.”
“You haven’t.”
“I have.”
His voice broke.
“I should’ve protected you.”
Seeing my father cry shattered something inside me.
I’d never seen this man afraid.
Not when business was difficult.
Not when Mom died.
Not even after his heart attack.
But today…
He looked defeated.
“I can’t ask you to marry him,” he whispered.
“I won’t.”
“I’d rather lose everything.”
I knelt beside him and took his hands.
“We’re going to be okay.”
He gave me a sad smile.
“You’ve always lied badly.”
A laugh escaped me through my tears.
Neither of us believed my words.
An hour later, I was alone.
The office lights had dimmed.
Most of the staff had already gone home.
Lucien’s contract still lay on the desk.
Untouched.
I told myself I was only putting it away.
Nothing more.
But as I reached for the folder…
His business card slipped onto the floor.
I picked it up.
There was only a name.
Lucien Kingston.
And a handwritten note on the back.
Three words.
Not printed.
Written in ink.
Trust me, Sienna.
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I frowned and opened the message.
Don’t marry Lucien Kingston.
A second message arrived before I could react.
If you become his wife…
…you won’t survive the year.
- Writer
