CHAPTERFOUR
1159 Words
“Goodnight, Mrs. Albert.”
The door clicked shut, and I was left alone with my raging emotions.
I hated him.
And I hated even more that my heart was racing because of him.
I barely slept.
The events of the past day played over and over in my mind, and by morning, my exhaustion was laced with frustration.
I needed to find a way out of this. Fast.
With new determination, I threw on a simple dress and made my way downstairs. The mansion was eerily quiet, but I followed the faint sound of voices until I reached the dining room.
Drew was already seated at the long marble table, sipping his coffee like he didn’t have a care in the world. Across from him sat a woman in a sharp suit—probably one of his legal advisors.
I walked in, ignoring Drew completely. “Tell me how to get out of this marriage.”
The woman raised a brow, glancing between us. “Good morning to you too, Ms. Tyrel.”
Drew leaned back in his chair. “Still on that?”
I shot him a glare before turning to the woman. “I need to know my options.”
She sighed, folding her hands on the table. “Annulment is complicated, especially considering the business agreements tied to this marriage.”
I stiffened. “Business agreements?”
Drew met my gaze evenly. “You’re my wife now, Prevail. That comes with certain expectations.”
A chill ran down my spine. “What kind of expectations?”
He placed his cup down. “For starters, you’ll attend events with me, play the part of my devoted wife. My reputation is on the line.”
I clenched my fists. “And what do I get out of this?”
Drew’s lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Your freedom—after eighteen months.”
My stomach dropped.
Eighteen months.
I would be stuck in this nightmare for eighteen months.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. “And if I refuse?”
Drew’s gaze darkened. “Then be prepared for war, Mrs. Albert.”
The tension in the dining room thickened, but before I could lash out, a deep, raspy voice cut through the air.
“Well, this is a surprise.”
I turned sharply.
An elderly man stood at the entrance, leaning on a cane. His once-imposing frame had thinned with age and illness, but there was no mistaking the power he still carried. His silver hair was neatly combed, and though his sharp gray eyes looked tired, they held the same authority I had seen in Drew.
Drew stood immediately. “Grandfather.”
My heart pounded. This was Drew’s grandfather?
The old man walked in slowly, his cane tapping against the floor. He exhaled, lowering himself into a chair with some effort. Drew moved instinctively to help him, but his grandfather waved him off.
“I’m not dead yet,” he muttered, then turned his gaze on me. “So, this is the young woman who’s captured my grandson’s heart?”
I stiffened.
Drew looked away, his jaw tight.
The grandfather chuckled, though it was weak. “Don’t look so guilty, Drew. I didn’t think you had it in you to settle down.”
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. “I—I’m Prevail Tyrel.”
He nodded slightly, as if rolling my name over in his mind. “Well, Prevail, I must say, you’re not what I expected.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
He coughed lightly, dabbing at his lips with a handkerchief before continuing. “Drew never mentioned you. Not once. And then, suddenly, I hear he’s married.” He turned his piercing gaze to his grandson. “Why the secrecy?”
Drew tensed. “It wasn’t secrecy. It was… sudden.”
His grandfather raised a brow. “Sudden? That’s unlike you. I raised you to be calculative.”
Drew said nothing.
His grandfather exhaled, leaning back in his chair. “Regardless, I’m pleased. You did the right thing.”
I blinked. “The right thing?”
He smiled faintly. “Marriage brings stability. And stability means legacy.” His gaze darkened slightly. “Which is what this family needs right now.”
Something in my stomach twisted.
The old man continued. “Drew, I didn’t just come to see your wife. It’s time we handle the transfer of the Albert estate and business to you.”
Drew straightened. “You’re doing it now?”
His grandfather nodded. “I don’t have much time left, boy.”
A cold silence settled over the room.
For the first time, I saw it—Drew’s mask slipping. His hands curled into fists, his jaw locked as he stared at the table.
His grandfather sighed. “I’ve lived long enough to build this empire. Now, it’s your turn to carry it forward.” He paused, then glanced at me. “And you, young lady, are now part of this legacy.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
I wanted to scream that this was a mistake, that I didn’t belong here. But one look at Drew’s hardened expression told me that if I said a word, it could ruin everything.
His grandfather smiled weakly. “Drew, take care of her. A good wife will be your greatest strength.”
Drew’s eyes darkened.
I gripped my dress beneath the table, my pulse roaring in my ears.
His grandfather had no idea this marriage was a lie.
And now, the weight of an entire empire rested on it.
Drew didn’t speak immediately. He just sat there, his hands curled into fists, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought he might break his teeth. His grandfather’s words had landed like a hammer, sealing a fate that neither of us had truly accepted.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. My gaze flickered to Drew, but he refused to look at me.
His grandfather, unaware of the storm brewing in the silence, smiled faintly. “Good. Now that this matter is settled, let’s get to business.”
Drew exhaled slowly, forcing himself to nod. “I’ll handle the transfer,” he said, his voice carefully controlled. “You should rest.”
His grandfather chuckled weakly. “Rest? When I have a grandson as stubborn as you? No, Drew, I’ll rest when I know this empire is in good hands.” He coughed, dabbing at his lips with his handkerchief. I swore I saw a faint trace of blood.
I hesitated before speaking. “Mr. Albert—”
“Call me Grandfather,” he interrupted with a small smile.
My throat tightened. Grandfather? He was welcoming me into this family without question, without hesitation. It made me feel… guilty.
I forced a small nod. “Grandfather… are you okay?”
Drew shot me a sharp look, but I ignored him.
- Writer
