Bound by Choice
1320 Words
Joy had not moved from the window since Richard pointed out the black car parked across the street.
The streetlights had already flickered on, washing the quiet neighborhood in a dim orange glow. The car sat there like it belonged somewhere else entirely, sleek, polished, and far too expensive for a place like this.
Richard stood beside her, arms folded tightly across his chest, staring at it like it had personally offended him. “That’s them,” he muttered.
Joy swallowed. A soft vibration came from the phone in her hand. The screen lit up with a message from an unknown number: Come outside.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the phone.
“They’re here,” she said quietly.
Richard didn’t reply. He was already walking toward the door. Joy grabbed the brown envelope from her desk before following him out.
The cool night air brushed against her face the moment they stepped outside. The neighborhood was unusually quiet, and a few porch lights glowed nearby, and somewhere down the street a dog barked lazily.
The black car looked even more intimidating up close. Two men stood beside it, and one of them was Liam. Even under the dull streetlights, he looked exactly the same as he had earlier that day, calm and composed, completely in control. His dark suit fit perfectly, as though it had been tailored around him. Beside him stood Cameron Sullivan, leaning casually against the car with his hands in his pockets.
Liam’s gaze moved immediately to Joy as he studied her quietly.
She was wearing a simple cardigan over a soft blue dress that reached her knees. The fabric had faint wrinkles, as if she had been sitting in it too long. Her hair looked like she had tied it up quickly and then forgotten about it, loose strands falling around her face in every direction. It was… different.
Every woman Liam had ever dated looked polished and perfect. Joy Roberts looked real. His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, curious.
Richard stepped forward before Joy could say anything. “What exactly do you think you’re doing? Why the hell should she move into your house in three days?!” he demanded, his voice sharp.
Joy grabbed his sleeve immediately. “Richard—”
But he pulled his arm free, stepping in front of her.
“You think you can just show up here with some ridiculous contract and expect her to sign it?”
Liam didn’t react to the hostility. His expression remained completely calm as he looked at Richard.
“You must be her brother.”
Richard scoffed. “Brilliant deduction.”
Cameron hid a small smile. Liam slipped one hand casually into his pocket.
“If you have finished venting,” he said evenly, “perhaps you should focus your energy on something more productive.”
Richard’s eyes narrowed. “Like what?”
“School.” The word landed with quiet precision. “If you concentrate on becoming someone worthwhile,” Liam continued, his tone steady, “you may find less time to involve yourself in matters that do not concern you.”
Richard’s jaw tightened. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he snapped, taking a step forward. “Did my sister’s life suddenly stop being my concern just because she's getting involved with you?”
Joy quickly grabbed his arm again, holding on this time. “Richard.” Her voice was low but firm.
He didn’t move, but she felt the tension in his arm.
Finally, he stepped back.
Liam shifted his attention to Joy. “You read the contract.”It wasn’t a question.
Joy nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“And?”
Her fingers tightened slightly around the paper. “There’s something I need to understand first.” Liam waited.
“The part about moving in with you,” she said carefully. “Three days seems… sudden.”
“For appearances,” Liam replied. His voice carried the same quiet confidence as always. “My father will expect to see my fiancée around. If you continue living here indefinitely, the arrangement will quickly become suspicious.”
Joy glanced down at the ground. The gravel shifted under her shoe as she moved her foot slightly.
“You would live at my residence,” Liam continued. “However, you are free to visit your family whenever you wish.”
She looked up again. “Whenever I wish?”
“Yes.”
For a moment, no one spoke. Joy could feel Richard watching Liam like he was trying to memorize every detail of his face. Liam noticed it, but he ignored it. Instead, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pen and held it out to her.
“You need to decide now.”
Joy blinked as she fisted her hand in her dress. What if she was making a mistake? This was all too fast.
“There are certain matters that require urgency,” he continued calmly. “If you are unwilling, you should inform me immediately so I can find someone else.”
Richard straightened instantly. “Find someone—”
Joy’s hand shot out, gripping his wrist. He looked down at her, and their eyes met. She didn’t say a word. But the quiet plea in her expression stopped him cold.
His shoulders dropped slightly. Richard exhaled through his nose and looked away. “Fine" he muttered.
Joy slowly reached for the pen. Her fingers trembled slightly as she took it. The paper felt heavier than it should have.She lowered the pen and signed her name.
When she finished, she handed the papers back.
Liam glanced at the signature before folding the document neatly.
Richard let out a bitter laugh. “This is insane.”
He stepped closer to Liam, his voice low and dangerous.
“If anything happens to her,” he said, pointing at Joy, “I swear I’ll ruin you.”
Liam didn’t respond. He simply turned to Joy. “I will send my driver in three days.” His tone was as steady as ever. “Be ready.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked toward the car. The driver immediately stepped out and opened the back door.Liam got in without another glance.
Cameron remained where he was. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before offering Joy an encouraging smile. “You made the right choice,” he said.
Joy tried to smile back. It came out small and uncertain. “That’s… reassuring.”
Cameron seemed to notice the tension in her shoulders. “Hey,” he added quickly, “it’s really not that bad, infact, not bad at all. I promise you that. We will take care of you.”
She raised an eyebrow slightly. “Oh?”
“I have a fiancée,” he continued cheerfully. “Sophia.”
Joy blinked. Why was he telling her that? “Really?”
“Yep.” He nodded. “And I’m pretty sure the two of you will get along great. You'll love her, she's really fun.”
Joy managed a small nod. “Okay.” Inside, her stomach was still twisting.
Cameron straightened before walking toward the car. The driver opened the door for him as well.
Before getting in, Cameron turned back toward them with a wide, toothy grin. Then he waved. A big, exaggerated wave.
Joy stared. He’s weird.
The car pulled away smoothly, disappearing down the street within seconds. The neighborhood became quiet again.
Richard turned toward her immediately. “Are you okay?”
Before Joy could answer, his arms wrapped around her. The hug came so suddenly she froze, something inside her cracked. She tightened her arms around him as she buried her face against his shoulder.
Everything had happened so fast. Too fast. Richard held her firmly, and for the first time that night, Joy finally allowed herself to breathe.
- Writer
