The Bargained Love

CHAPTER 4

THEILA (POV)

For the past few days, I’ve been noticing my father has been unusually distant. At first, I thought it was just the stress of the mounting debts, the pressure from the bank, and the collapsing company. But this feels deeper than that.

There’s a heaviness in his eyes when he looks at me now, like he’s carrying a secret he’s too ashamed to say out loud. He avoids my gaze longer than usual, changes the subject when I ask too many questions. Something doesn’t sit right.

He is eating his breakfast. This is the perfect time to find out.

I sat straight, quietly watching his fork pause mid-air. “Dad,” I said gently, “you’ve been acting strange lately. I noticed you’ve been avoiding me.”

His hand trembled as he set the fork down. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, suddenly… his shoulders started to shake.

“Dad?”

And then he broke.

He took a shaky breath, wiping his tears with the back of his hand, trying to compose himself. “I got a good offer for the company, it’s a really good offer.”

“You did?” I asked, a small smile tugging at my lips.

I reached out and touched his arm gently. “Don’t worry, Dad. God will provide a better one for us. I know it’s not easy watching all you’ve worked for start to slip away. But we’ll get through this. You taught me that.”

“I got a 100,000 pounds offer and the offeror is also proposing a merger for the company,” he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Theila,” he murmured. “But it came with conditions.”

My smile faded.“Conditions?” I echoed.

He hesitated, then looked straight at me.

“Yes… and you’re one of them.”

” Me, how? I replied, expressing shock on my face. "The buyer wants you to get married to his son."

I stared at him, my mouth slightly open.

“We get to retain our company, he continued, his voice shaking, and I would still get 100,000 pounds and a merger with his company”.

“You’re trading me for money, Dad. Has it gotten to this?”

“Don’t think so, my baby, I can’t do that to you. “

" Dad, I’m only 21. How do you expect me to live with a man I hardly even know? This isn’t right. I can’t… and I won’t."

VICTOR WELLINGTON (POV)

"Julian’s illness is back... and this time, it’s worse. I have no other choice. If he dies without an heir, the Wellington legacy dies with him. This is the only option left; someone must carry on our name."

We found a wife for you. We’re just waiting for her response.” While placing a hand on Julian’s shoulder. “You know we love you so much.”

He stood up, pacing slowly, his fists clenched. “Dad, why would you do this to me? “You think this is the best thing to do? “Anyone you give to me… she’d only come here to suffer. Who wants to be tied to a dying man?

“That’s your problem, not mine. Just make sure you get her pregnant. That’s all I want from you. Frequent intimacy, no excuses. We need an heir, Julian.”

I turned away, my voice sharper now. “And one more thing, you must not tell her about your illness. Not yet. If she finds out, it should be much later. When it’s too late to walk away.

My wife asked, “Do you think Mr Is Batel is going to accept the offer?

I shrugged slightly, then replied, “It’s too irresistible. Honestly, I don’t think anyone in their right mind would turn down an offer like that. I doubt he’ll refuse.”

THEILA (POV)

“Why would my father consider this? I’m disappointed in him, sending me off to marry someone I barely even know, but then again…

If I don’t, my education, Adrianna’s education, and our home will be gone.”

My voice dropped to a whisper. “I don’t think I have a choice anymore.

I was sitting by the window, lost in thought, when I heard his footsteps behind me.

“I’m heading out now to seal a $50,000 offer. "I don’t have a choice anymore, he exhaled deeply. “It’ll help us sort some things out, at least for a while.”

I turned to him slowly, heart pounding in my chest.

“You don’t have to take that deal, Dad.” He looked at me, “Accept Victor Wellington’s offer.

His eyes widened, “Do you want to do this? “ a mix of relief and guilt flickering across his face.

“I’m doing this… for you, Dad.”