The Heir's Unwanted Bride

Chapter 3: The Arrangement

Celeste had just stepped back when the lawyer closed his file and the sound of it felt final in a way that made the whole room feel smaller than it was before.

Howard did not move from the front of the table and that alone told her more than anything else because he always moved when he wanted control and right now he was staying still.

Margaret was the first to break again.

This is not happening.

Her voice came sharp and fast like she was trying to push the moment back.

Vivienne turned toward her father.

You cannot be serious about this.

Howard finally spoke but he did not look at either of them.

It is already decided.

Celeste felt that line more than she heard it.

Already decided.

She looked at him properly now.

So this is it.

No one answered her.

The lawyer stepped forward again.

Miss Harrington, the arrangement is tied to the merger. If you refuse, Harrington Hotels will not survive the year.

Celeste blinked once.

She did not react loudly. She never did.

Instead she looked at Howard.

You knew this before today.

Howard’s jaw tightened.

Yes.

That was all.

Vivienne stepped forward quickly.

So you are telling us she just walks in here and takes everything.

Celeste turned her head slightly toward her.

I am not taking anything.

Vivienne laughed but it had no humor in it.

You think that matters now.

Celeste did not answer.

Margaret moved closer to Howard.

This is your fault.

Howard did not respond.

That silence made her angrier.

You brought this into our lives and now you want her to fix it?

Howard finally looked at Margaret.

There is no fixing it.

Celeste looked between them.

Like she was part of a broken system they were trying to repair.

The lawyer checked the document again.

The flight is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Celeste turned slightly.

Tomorrow.

Yes.

She nodded once.

And if I say no?

The lawyer answered immediately.

There will be no merger.

Silence followed that again.

Celeste looked down for a second then back up.

So that is the end of everything.

Howard spoke quietly.

It is not that simple.

Celeste looked at him.

It looks simple from where I am standing.

Vivienne’s voice cut in.

You are enjoying this.

Celeste turned to her.

I am most certainly not.

Yes you are. You get to destroy everything without even trying.

Celeste stared at her.

I did not create this situation.

Vivienne stepped closer.

But you benefit from it.

Celeste’s voice stayed even.

I never asked for any of this.

Margaret scoffed.

That does not matter anymore.

Celeste looked at her.

It matters to me.

That sentence made the room go quiet again.

Howard finally moved from the table and walked a few steps closer.

You will go tomorrow. That is final.

Celeste held his gaze.

And after that.

You will meet Damien Chen.

Celeste repeated the name slowly in her mind.

Damien Chen.

A stranger attached to a decision she never agreed to.

And if I refuse him?

Howard did not answer immediately.

That pause told her enough.

Margaret answered instead.

You will not refuse.

Celeste looked at her.

You are speaking like I am already gone.

Margaret did not deny it.

The lawyer closed the file.

That is all for today.

No one moved for a second.

Then slowly people in the room started to shift like the meeting was already over for everyone except her.

Celeste stayed where she was for a moment longer.

Vivienne walked past her but stopped slightly.

You will fail.

Celeste looked at her.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes.

You think this new life will be better.

Celeste did not answer.

Because she did not know.

Vivienne walked away.

Margaret followed without looking back.

The executives slowly began to leave the room.

Howard stayed.

He stood still until most of the room was empty.

Celeste noticed that.

When it was just the two of them, she finally spoke.

You did not ask me.

Howard looked at her.

I know.

That answer landed differently.

Celeste tightened her fingers around her bag.

So why am I going.

Howard hesitated.

Because there is no other way.

Celeste nodded slowly.

Then I am not going because I chose it.

Howard did not respond.

She took a step back.

That is all I needed to know.

She turned toward the exit.

Howard spoke once more.

Celeste.

She stopped but did not turn fully.

This will change your life.

Celeste paused for a moment.

Then she answered without looking back.

My life already changed. I just did not know it until today.

She walked out of the ballroom and this time no one followed her and no one stopped her and the doors closed behind her with a sound that felt heavier than anything said inside the room.

She walked right to the bathroom, closed the door behind her and cried silently...

She remembered every turmoil and humiliation she had faced, every tear she had shed before going to sleep.

Now this?

She felt the walls closing in on her. There was no where she could run to, she has been here for almost all her life, and now a marriage she's been forced into to save the company to save a man who never for once acknowledged her to be his...

This is ridiculous,she muttered under her breath, she chuckled. This must be a bad dream and I'll wake up from it soon enough.

She wiped her tears, and walked out of the bathroom.