Chapter 9: The proposal he never chose
1029 Words
The mansion sat quietly at the edge of the city, surrounded by high fences, trimmed gardens, and the kind of silence only wealth could afford. Tall glass windows reflected the late afternoon sun, and the driveway sparkled like it had just been swept, because it had.
Inside, the scent of lemon polish and imported roses filled the halls. The living room was airy and grand, with a high ceiling and walls adorned with family portraits and expensive art pieces that could feed a small village. Everything about the house screamed legacy. Power. Name.
He stepped in with a quiet sigh, tossing his keys into the ceramic bowl by the door.
“Back to the lion’s den,” he muttered.
From upstairs, heels clicked against the marble. Sarah.
His elder sister descended the staircase like a queen returning to her court her long curls bouncing, her silk robe flowing behind her like smoke. She was everything a billionaire’s daughter should be: elegant, intimidating, and sharp with words.
“Well, well. If it isn’t our mystery man,” she said, her red lips curving into a grin. “You haven’t been home in two weeks.”
“I’ve been busy,” he replied.
“With a girl?”
He didn’t answer.
Sarah smirked knowingly. “It’s written all over your face. The glow, the confidence, the little grin you try to hide. Who is she?”
“Just someone.”
“Someone who made you ignore the family meeting?”
He exhaled and sat on the leather couch. “That’s what this is about?”
Sarah rolled her eyes and joined him. “No, but it’s what Dad’s pissed about. And he’s waiting for you in the study.”
Of course he was.
As if summoned, the door to the study opened and a commanding voice echoed down the hall.
“Ethan.”
That was his real name. Ethan Donalds. First son of Mr. Richard Donalds, CEO of Domino Core International, a multi-million-dollar conglomerate dealing in tech, oil, and global logistics.
His father never called him ‘son’ only ‘Ethan.’ Like a boss calling his subordinate.
He stood and buttoned his shirt collar as he entered the study.
The room smelled of mahogany and old money. Tall bookshelves lined the walls, and a huge desk sat at the far end, behind which Mr. Donalds stood, hands behind his back, dressed like a Forbes cover star.
“You’re late.”
Ethan said nothing.
His father turned. “I hope whatever kept you busy is worth jeopardizing your future.”
“Here we go,” Ethan muttered under his breath.
Mr. Donalds moved toward the bar and poured himself a glass of scotch. “You know very well what this weekend was for. You knew we were expecting Jenny.”
Ethan winced.
Jenny.
The girl he’d been hearing about since he turned twenty-two. Daughter of Mr. Benson..his father’s business partner. She was beautiful, polished, rich. And boring. Emotionally flat. Like luxury furniture.
“She came,” his father continued. “Your mother hosted her. Sarah spent hours helping her choose outfits. We sat for dinner. And guess who never showed?”
“I told Sarah I wasn’t coming.”
“That wasn’t a request, Ethan. That was an arrangement. One you agreed to...”
“No,” Ethan interrupted, “one you agreed to. I never did.”
There was a pause. Mr. Donalds raised a brow, calmly sipping his drink.
“You think this is about romance? About silly emotions?” he asked. “This is business. Legacy. Two empires combining”
“I’m not a deal to be signed off Dad..,” Ethan snapped. “And I’m not marrying Jenny.”
His father’s jaw tightened. “You’re the heir. You don’t get to be selfish.”
“I’m also a human being.”
“And I’m your father,” Mr. Donalds said, his voice like steel. “You think I built this empire for you to run off with some… nobody?”
That word hung in the air like a slap.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t even know her.”
“I don’t have to. If she were somebody, I would.”
Silence.
Sarah stepped in then, arms folded, leaning against the door. “He’s in love,” she said softly.
Ethan glanced at her, surprised.
“Or close to it,” she continued. “The girl’s different. I can tell. He talks like someone who’s finally breathing for the first time.”
Mr. Donalds scoffed. “That’s dangerous talk.”
Sarah raised her brows. “So is forcing your son into a cold business marriage he clearly doesn’t want.”
“I did it for you two!” he barked. “To secure your future! One day you’ll thank me.”
Ethan stood. “Not today.”
He walked past them and headed for the front door, his heart pounding with frustration.
Sarah caught up to him outside.
“You know you just declared war, right?” she said.
He shrugged. “Then let him come.”
She smiled faintly and handed him something small, a tiny velvet box.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Jenny left it behind. Said to give it to you.”
He opened it. A diamond chain with his initials.
He shut the box. “She doesn’t even know me.”
“But someone else is getting close,” Sarah said, giving him a pointed look.
He glanced at her.
“I want to meet her,” she added.
“You will. When the time is right.”
Sarah nodded. “Just don’t wait too long. You know how this family works.”
As he drove away that night, the mansion faded in his rearview mirror. But in his mind, another image came alive...of her. Zora. Her shy smile. The sound of her laughter when cotton candy stuck to her lips. Her eyes when she was surprised by the flowers.
He didn’t know where this was going. But he knew it wasn’t with Jenny.
And whatever he had with Zora, he wasn’t ready to let go of it.
Not now. Not ever.
- Writer
