The Tycoon Reluctant Bride

Thee secret in his study room

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*Chapter 4:

The gala was 3 days ago.

Since then, Damian and I have been living like ghosts in the same house.

He leaves at 6AM. Comes back at 11PM.

I eat alone. I sleep alone.

Rule #1: Separate rooms.

But today, the power went out.

The whole of Victoria Island was dark. The generator in the mansion kicked in after 2 minutes, but the WiFi was still down.

Bored, I walked the halls. The maids told me not to go to the West Wing. “Mr. Adeleke’s private study, ma. He doesn’t like anyone there.”

Of course that’s where I went.

The door was slightly open.

“Damian?” I called. No answer.

I pushed it open.

The study was huge. Books from floor to ceiling. A desk with 3 laptops. And on the wall... photos.

I walked closer.

Damian. Younger. Smiling.

And beside him was Tolu.

In every single photo.

Graduation. Beach. Engagement party.

She had her ring on in the last one. A huge diamond.

My chest felt tight.

So that’s why he hates love.

Behind the photo frame, a corner of paper was sticking out. I pulled it.

It was a letter. Handwritten.

_Damian,_

_I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to get out. The company was failing and your dad said if I married someone else, he’d give us the investment. I had to choose. Please understand. I still love you._

_-Tolu_

Dated 4 years ago.

The door opened.

I jumped. The letter fell.

Damian stood there. Shirt sleeves rolled up. Tie loose. Eyes furious.

“What are you doing in my study?” His voice was ice.

“I-I’m sorry. The power went out and I—”

“Get out.”

“Damian, I saw the letter. I didn’t mean to—”

“GET. OUT.”

I ran.

Back in my room, I sat on the bed shaking. Rule #4. Do not ask about his private life. I broke it.

An hour later, there was a knock.

It was his assistant, Nneka.

“Mr. Adeleke wants to see you in the dining room. Now.”

My heart was in my throat. Was he going to cancel the contract? Send me back to the debt?

The dining table was set for 2. But only one chair was pulled out. His.

He was standing by the window, back to me.

“Sit,” he said.

I sat.

For 5 minutes, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the generator humming.

Finally, he turned. He looked tired. Not angry. Tired.

“You read it,” he said. Not a question.

“Yes.”

He sat down across from me. “Tolu was my fiancée. 4 years ago. Her family’s company was about to go bankrupt. My father offered to save them... if she married me.”

He laughed. Bitter. “She said yes. Then 2 weeks to the wedding, she met someone richer. A foreign investor. She took the money and ran.”

I didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said. “She taught me rule #5. Don’t fall in love. Because people leave.”

He looked at me. Really looked at me.

“And you? You took a contract to save your house. I respect that. It’s business.”

“But it hurts,” I whispered before I could stop myself. “To be chosen for money, not for you.”

His eyes flickered. For a second, his mask dropped.

“Don’t get ideas, Amara,” he said softly. Dangerously soft. “This is 12 months. Then we’re done.”

He stood up. Meeting over.

As I walked back to my room, I passed the study again. The door was closed now. Locked.

But I couldn’t get one thing out of my head.

When I said “it hurts”, he didn’t tell me to stop crying.

Rule #3: Don’t cry in my house. I hate weakness.

He said nothing.

And that was worse.

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*[End of Chapter 4]*

*Author’s Note:* Omooo Tolu’s letter 😭 Do you think Damian will ever trust again? Comment below!