Memories
1187 Words
Annabelle's pov
The following morning after breakfast, Uncle Logan summoned me to his study.I sat in his home office, my office curled around the edge of the couch, wondering why he called me over. The second he opened his mouth, I jolted off the chair like it was on fire.“You want me to do what?” I scoffed.Uncle Logan sighed, his fingers laced together as he leaned forward. “Annabelle, listen to me, your parents left behind a massive inheritance, but their will left behind a massive inheritance, but their will states that you need to prove that you can handle it. You need stability, protection, someone powerful by your side.” I took a step back, shaking my head. “No.”Uncle Logan palmed his forehead. “Yes, Anna.”“No! I am not getting married!” I yelled.“Romeo is a —” “Stranger! A man I have never met! I can't marry him! I just got out of a marriage, Uncle. I'm not stupid enough to walk into another one.” “Calm down, Anna. It won't be a real marriage.” He let out a soft laugh.“What?” I froze instantly.“It's a contract,” his laugh relapsed into a soft smile. “One year. That's all it'll take. One year in contract marriage with him and then you came to get your inheritance. After that, you can leave if you want.” Marry another man? But… as much as I needed closure, marrying someone else was so soon. I wasn't ready. I don't think I'll ever be. The thought of putting myself in another man's hands, a stranger for that matter, made my stomach churn.“No.” I shook my head. “I… I can't do this.” Uncle Logan sighed and leaned back in his chair. “If you won't get married, tell me, what's your plan? Hmm?”What was my plan? I had nothing of my own anymore — no job, no money, no place to stay.I had left my career as a general surgeon because Louis wanted me to be a housewife. And now? Now, I was alone, starting from scratch, and I didn't even know where to begin.As if reading my thoughts, Uncle Logan spoke again. “I also have another offer for you. There's an opening at North Shore hospital. You can work as an assistant surgeon there.” “Assistant?” I looked up sharply.He nodded. “It's not the position you had before, but it's a start. Look at it as a way for you to rebuild.”The memories of the operating room came rushing back — the bright surgical lights overhead, the precision of my hands, the feeling of purpose I used to have. It had been years since I stepped into a hospital, more less a surgeon.Could I do it again?“I know this is a lot.” Uncle Logan said with another sigh. “But you can't sit here and let your life pass you by, Annabelle. You need to make a decision and you need to make it now.” I took a shaky breath. I was in a tight spot — two choices as clear as day : start over on my own as an assistant surgeon or marry Romero for a year and secure my inheritance. Ugh! Where do I even begin? One choice was safer, slower and a painful road I'd take to recover while the other was a shortcut. A way to get back everything I had lost — control, security, and power. But…It came with an expensive price — marriage, contract, another man, a stranger, in my life for an entire year.My head was beginning to spin.Was this really about control? Was it even about survival? It was a bit of both because to survive, I needed control.I needed to prove to everyone — to Louis — that I wasn't some weak, discarded woman who couldn't stand on her own and if marrying Romero for a year was the price I'd have to pay, then maybe, it was worth it.I exhaled slowly while Uncle Logan was watching me. Waiting. A voice screamed at me, telling me that I needed to take a breather and let this all reel in while another told me to say ‘Hell Yeah’Uncle Logan was still waiting, waiting for a decision. I closed my eyes and threw it open. I made a decision. “Fine. I'll do it.”“Do what?” He asked.“I'll marry Romero. For one year.” “And after that?” he rose to his feet.“I’m going to destroy Louis.”A week after that, Uncle Logan made an arrangement for me to meet Romero. To be honest, I wasn't sure what I expected. Maybe he could be a cold, detached businessman or maybe someone indifferent who would see this marriage as the sham that it was or maybe he could be a normal guy but the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew we were going to be a problem for each other. A young man was in Uncle's home office. A tall man with sharp features, dark eyes that looked like they had seen too much of the world. He wasn't handsome in the traditional sense but there was something unique about his features I couldn't give a name.He turned when I entered, his gaze sweeping over me like a cold wind and then he said the worst possible thing. “This is the woman you want me to marry?” I stopped dead in my tracks, my blood boiling. “Excuse me?”His eyes raked all over me and he looked more irritated, like I had just walked in and ruined his day. “What is this, Logan? She doesn't look like she can handle anything let alone an inheritance, worse, a marriage.”Oh. My. f*****g. God. The. Sheer. Audacity!“Who the hell is this clown, Uncle Logan?” I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest. “This clown,” The man made an air quote when he said ‘clown’. “is the man who is supposed to save you. At least give me a little bit of credit here.”I turned to Uncle Logan. “I'm not getting married to that thing!”The man roared. “Then, by God, why are we even having this conversation?” “Enough! Both of you!” Uncle Logan sighed, rubbing his chin.“No! Is this really the heat you could do, Uncle Logan? Who is he anyway?” I said.The tall gentleman rose to his feet. “I don't have time for this, Logan. I'm out.” “Then leave!” I said without hesitation.Uncle Logan slammed his fist on his polished desk, the mere sound earning a loud echo. “I said that's enough out of you, Anabelle! Don't you know that this is the man you're going to marry?”I froze. “Wait. What?”
- Writer
