CHAPTERTWO
1014 Words
I gripped my phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. My stepmother’s name glared at me from the screen, an omen of the chaos I was already drowning in.
Drew noticed my hesitation. “Aren’t you going to pick up?”
I shot him a glare. “Not now.”
My thumb hovered over the screen, but I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Instead, I silenced the call, shoving my phone back into my purse. My pulse pounded in my ears.
I turned back to Drew, my voice ice-cold. “I don’t know what your girlfriend was thinking, but this? This is a mistake.”
Drew’s jaw clenched, his hands slipping into his pockets. “It’s not a mistake, Prevail. It’s a contract. And whether you knew about it or not, it’s legally binding.”
The words sent another wave of panic crashing over me.
No. No, no, no.
I forced in a breath, pushing down the rising urge to scream. “I’m not staying in this. I didn’t agree to it, and I sure as hell won’t be your wife.”
Drew exhaled, looking like he was running out of patience. “It’s just eighteen months.”
My head snapped up. “Eighteen months?!”
He nodded. “That’s the length of the contract.”
I gawked at him, my anger bubbling over. “You actually think I’m going to stay married to you for a year and a half?”
Before he could answer, a voice cut through the crowd.
“There’s the beautiful couple!”
I turned just in time to see a well-dressed man approaching, a pleased smile on his face. I didn’t recognize him, but the way he carried himself screamed money and power.
Drew stiffened beside me.
“Congratulations, Drew,” the man said. “Your marriage is going to change everything.”
My stomach twisted at his words. What did he mean by that?
Drew’s expression remained unreadable. “Thanks.”
The man turned to me with a smirk. “And Prevail, welcome to a life of luxury. You must be thrilled.”
I clenched my fists.
“Excuse me,” I muttered, spinning on my heel.
I needed air. I needed out.
I didn’t stop walking until I reached the exit, pushing the grand doors open and stepping into the crisp afternoon air. I barely made it to the edge of the parking lot before my phone buzzed again.
Stepmother Calling…
My heart slammed against my ribs.
I swallowed hard, then pressed the answer button.
“Finally,” her sharp voice snapped through the speaker. “I was wondering how long you planned to ignore me.”
My grip on the phone tightened. “What do you want?”
She sighed dramatically. “Is that really how you speak to your mother after such a big day?”
I laughed bitterly. “You knew about this, didn’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said smoothly. “But honestly, Prevail, you should be grateful. Do you have any idea what this marriage could do for you?”
My stomach twisted. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that for once in your life, you have an opportunity,” she said, her voice sickeningly sweet. “Drew is powerful. Rich. Connected. Do you realize what being his wife could do for your future?”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “I didn’t choose this.”
“So what?” she snapped. “You think people like us get to choose? Wake up, Prevail. You have nothing. No real security. No power. But now? Now you do.”
My throat tightened.
She kept going, her voice relentless. “You can fight it all you want, but you and I both know walking away would be the worst mistake of your life. This is your chance. Take it.”
I felt like I was suffocating.
She sighed. “I just called to say congratulations. You should enjoy your honeymoon. And Prevail?”
I clenched my jaw. “What?”
“Don’t be stupid.”
The call ended.
I stared at my phone, my fingers shaking.
Drew stepped up beside me. I hadn’t even heard him follow me out.
“You okay?”
I let out a bitter laugh, blinking back the burn of tears. “No, Drew. I am not okay.”
I turned to him, my hands trembling with rage.
“I was tricked. Lied to. Trapped.” My voice cracked. “And now, I’m stuck. Stuck with you.”
Drew’s expression darkened, something flickering behind his eyes.
“I don’t want this either, Prevail,” he said quietly. “But we’re in it now.”
I shook my head, my nails digging into my palms.
No.
This wasn’t over.
I would find a way out. No matter what it took.
I refused to let my stepmother’s words sink in.
This wasn’t an opportunity. It was a trap.
I turned away from Drew, my breaths coming in sharp, shallow pulls. The weight of it all was suffocating—the cameras, the crowd, the contract I never signed.
How had this even happened?
I needed answers.
I needed to get out.
I turned back to Drew, my voice firm. “I’m leaving.”
His jaw tightened. “That’s not an option.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Watch me.”
I spun on my heel, marching toward the parking lot, but before I could take another step, his hand wrapped around my wrist.
A firm, yet careful grip.
I froze.
“Let me go,” I whispered.
Drew hesitated for only a second before releasing me. “I’ll take you home.”
I scoffed, rubbing my wrist. “I’ll find my own way.”
He exhaled, raking a hand through his dark hair. “Prevail, this isn’t something you can just walk away from.”
I shot him a glare. “Watch me.”
I turned, but the moment I took a step, a sleek black car pulled up in front of us.
- Writer
