Forced to be with the Billionaire

Chapter 4

Scarlett’s POV

The house hadn’t felt like mine for days now, every corner haunted by silence, every smile stretched thin.

I wandered the halls like I didn’t belong, slipping past rooms filled with whispers and locked doors. Charles’s absence clung to the walls. He used to tell me stories in the garden, teach me things school never could. With him, I felt seen.

Now… I felt like a mistake.

When the call came that morning, I was curled on the chaise by the window, pretending to read.

“Miss Scarlett White?” the crisp voice asked.

“Yes?”

“I’m Mr. Rayner, legal representative for Mr. Charles Donovan’s estate. I’m calling to confirm that you are the sole heir to his properties and investments. Everything he owned now belongs to you.”

I didn’t speak. Couldn’t.

“Everything,” he repeated. “There are no other beneficiaries. His instructions were very clear.”

My throat tightened. “I… I can’t accept all of that. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Miss White, I understand this is overwhelming, but—”

“I’ll give it away,” I blurted. “To charity. Something that matters. He’d be okay with that, wouldn’t he?”

There was a pause. “That’s not what he wanted.”

Before I could respond, the door creaked open.

Dad.

He stared at me, face unreadable, but I knew he’d heard enough.

I quickly ended the call and placed the phone down, standing to explain—but he raised a hand.

“Charity?” His voice was sharp. “That’s what you think this is? A gift to toss away like loose change?”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Do you realize what you’ve been handed? Do you understand the kind of power that comes with Charles’s legacy?”

I swallowed. “I didn’t ask for this, Dad.”

“But you have it,” he snapped. “So you’d better start acting like you deserve it.”

I didn’t speak. There was nothing I could say that wouldn’t sound ungrateful.

His tone changed, colder. Calculated. “You’re meeting someone tonight. A legal advisor. He’ll help guide you—whether you like it or not.”

“Tonight?”

“Dress accordingly. And Scarlett…” He paused at the doorway. “No more talk of giving anything away. That’s not your decision to make anymore.”

When he left, I stood there, clutching the edge of the desk, trying to breathe.

I arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early. A boutique place tucked away on a quiet street—elegant, exclusive, intimidating.

My emerald dress shimmered under the soft lighting, and the heels made my legs look longer, sharper—like armor.

Then I saw him.

Tall. Eyes the color of something unreadable—part storm, part memory. His suit was perfectly tailored, his jaw freshly shaven. A man who looked like he didn’t flinch often. A man who hadn’t expected me.

Our eyes locked.

My breath hitched.

He rose slowly. “Scarlett?”

I took a step forward, stunned. “You… you’re the legal advisor?”

A corner of his mouth lifted. “I guess we’re both surprised.”

The waiter pulled out my chair.

Sitting opposite me, leaning back casually with a glass of whiskey in his hand, was none other than Jasper Carrington. His sharp, dark eyes locked onto mine, equally surprised. My breath hitched as our gazes remained locked, a chill running down my spine. What was he doing here?

“Scarlett?” he said again, his voice low and cautious this time.

“Yes” I said, trying to mask the unease in my voice.

He cleared his throat, placing the glass on the table. “Your father called me. Said someone needed legal advice, but he didn’t mention it would be you.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Oh… I didn’t know.”

Before I could say more, a file slipped from the table, landing at my feet. As I bent to pick it up, Jasper leaned down at the same time. Our hands brushed, and I could feel the warmth of his skin against mine. I straightened quickly, clutching the file to my chest, heat creeping up my cheeks.

He cleared his throat, his face returning to its usual unreadable mask. “You should sit. Your father wanted me to brief you on some legal matters.”

But we never got around to discussing any legalities. Instead, we talked about nothing and everything. It was strange. He was cold through, as if he doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.

When I finally left the room, I couldn’t help but wonder: who was the real Jasper Carrington?

When I arrived home, the house was eerily quiet. I headed upstairs, wondering why it felt so empty. My heart sank when I remembered—the family outing. The one we used to have every week without fail. Had they gone without me?

A wave of loneliness crashed over me, and I barely made it to my room before the tears came. I crumpled onto my bed, sobbing into the pillows, wondering how my life had taken such a sharp turn.

I must have cried myself to sleep because the next thing I knew, someone barged into my room, jolting me awake. I squinted against the harsh light from the hallway and saw Jasmine standing by the door, her face contorted with rage.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Scarlett?” she snapped, holding her phone up to my face. “Why are you meeting my fiancé behind my back?”

I sat up, confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t act innocent!” she shouted. “Pictures are all over the internet of you and Jasper at that restaurant! Are you trying to steal him from me? You’re unbelievable!”

Before I could explain, Jasmine’s hand connected with my cheek—a sharp, stinging slap that left me reeling. I was too stunned to react as my parents rushed into the room.

My father’s face was a mask of fury. “How could you, Scarlett? Throwing yourself at Jasper like that! I sent you there for legal advice, and you take it as an opportunity to seduce him?!”

“That’s not true!” I protested, tears welling up again. “I didn’t do anything!”

But Jasmine was relentless. “She’s been acting like this for months! Always thinking she’s the center of attention. I warned you, Dad! She’s a spoiled brat who thinks everything belongs to her!”

My mother remained silent, disappointment evident in her eyes.

Then Jasmine dropped the bombshell. “If you want to stop her from getting the wrong impression, we should just move up the wedding. I’m tired of her trying to steal my happiness!”

My father didn’t hesitate. “You’re right. I’ll call the Carringtons right now.”

He dialed the number and put it on speaker. Mr. Carrington picked up, and my father immediately said, “We need to move up the wedding. Jasmine feels it’s best, given the circumstances.”

There was a pause before Mr. Carrington replied. “I’ll discuss it with Jasper and get back to you.”

Minutes later, the phone rang again. My father answered, and I held my breath as Mr. Carrington’s voice came through. “Jasper agrees. The wedding will take place next week.”

My heart sank to the floor. I couldn’t believe it. The wedding—next week. I glanced at Jasmine, who looked smug and victorious, while my parents didn’t even spare me a glance.

A single tear slipped down my cheek as reality set in. I had lost—everything.

The morning of the wedding felt strangely normal, though a little disjointed. I wasn’t expecting anything special for myself, not when the entire focus was on Jasmine and her perfect day. Everyone in the house was buzzing with excitement, preparing for the ceremony. The decorations, the floral arrangements, the elaborate cake—everything was focused on Jasmine.

But not me.

I had barely been involved in any of the planning, which was no surprise. Jasmine was the bride, after all. My role in all of this was practically invisible. So when my mom told me to just pick something out of my wardrobe to wear, I didn’t think twice. It was almost like an afterthought. I felt a pang of disappointment but kept it to myself. Why would they make any effort to get me something when I wasn’t even the one walking down the aisle?

I slipped into a simple white dress I had in the back of my closet. It wasn’t anything spectacular—definitely not wedding material. It wasn’t fancy, but it would do. I didn’t want to make a fuss. After all, it wasn’t my day.

As I put the final touches on my makeup, I glanced at myself in the mirror, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something felt off, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. It was just nerves. Jasmine had been preparing for this moment for so long, and now the day was finally here. She was the one who deserved all the attention.

I walked downstairs, where the house was alive with activity. My father was pacing, looking frantic as always, and my mother was making sure everything was perfect for Jasmine. The guests were arriving soon, and I could hear them talking, laughing, the buzz of anticipation filling the air. It all seemed so surreal.

The wedding ceremony was in full swing when I finally arrived at the venue. Jasmine was in the center of it all, glowing in her dress, and I stood off to the side, almost like a ghost, unnoticed. I could feel my presence barely registered as I watched her be the star of the day.

As the ceremony began, I stood by the doors, keeping my distance. I didn’t want to be in the way. I had no role here other than to stand in the background and make sure everything went smoothly.

That was when it happened.

Jasper stood at the altar, his back straight and poised, his face an unreadable mask. I looked at him, trying to understand what he was feeling, but there was nothing in his expression to reveal his thoughts. The officiant began speaking, but suddenly, Jasper held up a hand, interrupting him.

“I need to say something,” Jasper announced, his voice firm.

The room fell silent. Everyone turned to look at him, confused. Even the officiant looked taken aback. I felt my heart race in my chest. What was going on? This wasn’t part of the plan.

Jasmine, still standing beside him, turned her head sharply toward him. Her eyes widened, her smile faltering. But before any of us could say a word, Jasper’s voice rang out, clear and resolute.

“I can’t marry Jasmine..”