Bound By Contract, Claimed By Love

Chapter 2: The Rich Man's Problem

Alexander Stone hated family meetings.

He sat at the head of the long table in his aunt's office, watching Miranda shuffle through papers like she owned the world. Which, in many ways, she did. At least his world.

"You're thirty years old, Alexander," Miranda said without looking up. Her voice was sharp, like glass cutting skin. "Your father was married with a child by your age."

Alex kept his face blank. He'd learned that trick when he was eight and his mother packed her bags. Never let them see you hurt. Never give them anything to use against you.

"My personal life isn't a business decision," he said.

Miranda finally looked at him. Her gray eyes were cold, just like his. Family trait, probably. Along with the ability to destroy people with a smile.

"Everything is a business decision when you're a stone." She slid a thick folder across the table. "Your grandfather's will was very clear." To inherit full control of the family trust, you must be married by your thirty-first birthday.

Alex didn't touch the folder. He knew what was in it. Lawyers had been reminding him about this stupid rule for months. "That's six months away."

"Exactly," Miranda leaned back in her chair. "Six months to find a suitable wife and produce an heir." The board is getting nervous about the succession.

"The board works for me."

The board works for Stone Enterprises. And Stone Enterprises needs stability. Miranda's smile was all teeth, no warmth. "Marriage shows you're serious about the future." About legacy."

Legacy. The word tasted bitter in Alex's mouth. His father had died chasing a legacy, working himself to death trying to save a company that was already sinking. His mother had run from legacy, deciding a life in Europe was better than dealing with a Stone family drama.

And now Miranda wanted Alex to trap some poor woman in a marriage just to satisfy a dead man's wishes.

"What if I don't want to get married?" Alex asked.

"Then you lose everything." Miranda's voice stayed calm, but her eyes got colder. Control of the company went to the board. Your personal trust fund gets cut off. And I became the primary family representative.

There it was. The real reason Miranda cared so much about this rule. If Alex didn't marry, she got to run everything. She'd been managing the family money since Alex's father died, always reminding him that she was only keeping his seat warm.

But Alex knew better. Miranda had lost her own son in the military three years ago. Ever since then, she'd been treating Alex like her chance to control the Stone's name. Like he was her replacement son instead of her nephew.

"You raised me, Miranda," Alex said quietly. "After Mom left and Dad died." Why would you want to take everything away from me now?"

For just a second, something soft flickered in Miranda's eyes. Something that looked almost like love. Then it was gone.

"Because I want what's best for this family," she said. "Your father was weak." He let emotions cloud his judgment. Your mother was selfish. She ran when things got hard. But you, Alexander, you could be different.

"Different how?"

Strong enough to do what needs to be done. "Smart enough to put the family first." Miranda stood up and walked to the window. "Marriage isn't about love." It's about partnership. Find a woman who understands that, and you'll have everything you've ever wanted.

Alex thought about the woman from the restaurant. Sophia Chen, the art teacher who'd looked him in the eye and offered to pay for damage she couldn't afford. She'd treated him like a person, not a bank account.

She definitely didn't understand that marriage was just business.

"What kind of woman are you talking about?" Alex asked.

"Someone suitable. "Good family, proper education, understand her role." Miranda turned back to face him. Victoria Hartwell would be perfect. Her father's been asking about you.

Alex's stomach turned. Victoria, his ex-fiancée, who'd made it clear she loved his money more than she'd ever loved him. The woman who'd cheated on him with his business rival and then acted like Alex was the problem for not forgiving her.

"Victoria is not happening," Alex said.

Then find someone else. But find someone fast. Miranda sat back down and picked up her pen. "Six months, Alexander." After that, you'll have nothing.

Alex stood up. The meeting was over, just like always. Miranda said what she wanted to say, made her threats, and expected him to fall in line.

But as he walked toward the door, something made him stop.

"Miranda," he said without turning around. "What happened to you?" You used to care about more than just money and control."

The silence stretched between them. When Miranda finally spoke, her voice was quieter than before.

I learned that caring about people gets you hurt. Your cousin David cared about serving his country. Look where that got him. Your father cared about saving everyone. It killed him. Your mother cared about herself. She left you.

Alex felt the old familiar pain in his chest. The eight-year-old boy who'd watched his mother drive away, promising to visit but never coming back. The eighteen-year-old who'd found his father dead at his desk, surrounded by papers he'd been working on to save the company.

"So you don't care about anyone anymore?" Alex asked.

I care about my family. About legacy. "About making sure the stone's name means something." Miranda's voice got stronger again. Find a wife, Alexander. Or lose everything your grandfather built.

Alex left without another word.

In the elevator, he loosened his tie and tried to breathe. Every time he talked to Miranda, he felt like that scared little kid again. The one who'd been left behind by everyone who was supposed to love him.

Maybe Miranda was right. Maybe marriage was just business. Maybe finding someone who understood that would be easier than trying to find someone who actually cared about him.

His phone buzzed with a text from Marcus, his assistant: "How did the meeting go?"

Alex typed back, "I need a wife in six months."

"Want me to call a matchmaker?"

Alex stared at the message. A matchmaker would find him someone exactly like Victoria. Someone who looked perfect on paper but saw him as a walking credit card.

Instead, he found himself thinking about dark eyes that had looked at him like he was just a man. A voice that had said "I'm nobody special," like she actually believed it.

"No," he typed back. "I have a different idea."

As the elevator reached the first floor, Alex made a decision. He was going to find Sophia Chen. And he was going to make her an offer she couldn't refuse.

Not because she was suitable. But because she was real.