In The Name Of Forever

A WEEK BEFORE FOREVER

Emily's POV

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and maple syrup floated through the penthouse kitchen, warm and familiar, wrapping around me like a hug. My grandfather's voice echoed from the dining room—smooth, commanding, and just a little too cheerful for seven in the morning.

''Emily, sweetheart, if you keep staring at that dress catalog any harder, you'll burn a hole through it.''

I glanced up from my tablet, cheeks warm. 'I'm just trying to make sure everything perfect

Everything will be perfect he said flipping through the New York times with a rustle. ''It's a Montclair wedding. It's practically a national event.

''Grandpa,'' I groaned, rolling my eyes don't make it sound like I'm marrying for politics.

He arched a silver eyebrow. ''Aren't you?''

I laughed despite myself. He loved teasing me about this—about the marriage I'd known was coming since i was old enough to spell my own name. The Montclairs and the Hayes had been intertwined for decades: business partners, old family friends, powerhouses in their industries. And me? I was the final stitch in the tapestry—the girl promised to Brian Hayes before i even lost my baby teeth.

I thought about that sometimes, about how strange it was to have your whole life mapped out for you before you even know how to tie shoes. And yet here I was, twenty five and a week from now I'd be Mrs Brian Haye.

The name still sounded foreign in my head.

''You're quiet,'' Grandpa said, gently pulling me from my thoughts. ''Second thoughts?''

''Not really,'' I lied, ''Just thoughts.''

''About him?''

I sighed and set my table down. ''Maybe. I mean, I've followed his life in headlines for years—the prodigy who turned the London branch of Hayes Holdings into a global powerhouse. The man who's too busy making billion-dollar deals to even look at the camera during interviews.''

Grandpa chuckled. ''I see you've been paying attention.''

I gave him a look. ''How could I not? My future husband has been in every business magazine since I was in college.''

His smile softened. ''Brian is a good man, Em. Cold sometimes, yes _too much like his father in that way__but a good man. And from what his parents say, he's excited about this.

''Excited?'' I raised a skeptical brow. ''Are we talking about the same Brian Hayes?''

The doorbell chimed before Grandpa could answer, and seconds later, Sophie's voice carried through the foyer.

''Where's the bride_to_be?!''

I didn't even have time to get up before Sophie burst into the kitchen, all bright eyes and boundless energy. Lila followed behind her, more composed but wearing the same mischievous grin.

''Still in one piece,'' I said, laughing as Sophie threw her arms around me while Lila hugged Grandpa.

''One piece? You're glowing. Are you excited?''

''Nervous,'' I admitted.

Lila plopped down on the seat across from me. ''Nervous is good. Nervous means you care.''

Sophie leaned in, eyes twinkling. ''And nervous also means you definitely stalked his i********: again last night.'' I swear she was having so much fun doing this to me.

I gasped. ''I did not—''

''She did,'' Lila said dryly. ''You texted us about that photo of him at the charity gala. Twice.''

''Fine,'' I muttered, hiding my face behind my coffee mug. ''Maybe once.''

Sophie snorted. ''Girl, you're marrying a six-foot-two business tycoon who looks like he walked out of a GQ shoot. You're allowed to stalk.''

I groaned again. '' This is humiliating.''

''Humilating?'' Sophie said. ''Please. You're about to live my enemies-to-lovers fantasy.''

''It's not enemies to lovers, ''I said. ''It's more like....strangers to legally bound business partners.''

That earned a laugh from both of them, but Lila leaned forward, her tone softening. ''Jokes aside, Em... you've been preparing for this your whole life. And you're more than ready. Brian will be lucky to have you.''

I smiled, a small, grateful twist of my lips. ''Thanks, Lila.''

Grandpa cleared his throat pointedly. ''I like these girls. Remind me to increase their wedding favor budgets.

The rest of the morning was a blur of wedding madness. Sophie and Lila insisted on coming for the dress fitting, which turned more into a fashion show than a practical appointment.

''Oh my God,'' Sophie gasped as I stepped out in my gown—a delicate corset piece with intricate lace detailing and a dramatic train, hand-made specifically for me.

''You look like royalty,'' Lila said softly, her eyes glistening. ''He's going to lose his mind when he sees you.''

My reflection stared back at me from the mirror—the same dark-haired girl I'd always been, only now swathed in white satin and tradition. And for a moment, a strange flutter rippled through my chest. Not fear. Not dread. Something quieter, deeper. Hope, maybe.

''Do you think he'll like it?'' I asked before I could stop myself.

Sophie grinned.'' If he doesn't, I'll slap him.''

We laughed, but the tension lingered in my head. Would he? Would Brian Hayes—the cool, composed man who built empires and kept his emotions under lock and key—even care about things like lace and veils?

By late afternoon, I was exhausted. My phone buzzed as we left the boutique, and I expected it to be one of the planners. Instead, a name I hadn't seen on my screen in years stared back at me.

BRIAN HAYES.

My pulse jumped. I hesitated for a full minute before swiping open the message.

Brian: I know we are having dinner tomorrow with the family to discuss the final details. I'll see you then.

Just like that. No emojis. No ''hope you're doing well.'' Just precise, polite, and businesslike_very Brian.

Sophie peeked over my shoulder. ''Oh, he's texting now. Look at Mr. Communication.''

Lila smirked. ''Sort and cold. Classic.''

I shoved my phone back into my purse. ''It's fine. It's not like we're supposed to be texting all day.''

''Emily,'' Sophie said gently, looping her arm through mine. ''It's okay to want more.''

I bit my lip and didn't answer.

By the time I got home that evening, the city had slipped into twilight, the skyline outside my bedroom windows glittering like a sea of stars. Grandpa was waiting in the sitting room, a brandy in one hand and a knowing smile on his face.

''So,'' he said as I curled up beside him on the sofa, ''did Mr. Hayes finally, make contact?''

I rolled my eyes, ''A text about tomorrow's dinner''

''And how do you feel?''

I stared out the window. ''Honestly? Like I'm standing at the edge of something big. And i don't know if I'm ready to jump.''

Grandpa's hand found mine, warm and reassuring. ''Emily, love.... you've been preparing for this leap your entire life. But let me remind you of something.''

''What's that?''

''You are not marrying him because of a contract or a promise made decades ago. You're marrying him because you choose to. And if, at any point, that choice changes....you still have me. You still have your freedom.''

The lump in my throat was instant. ''I know, Grandpa.''

He smiled. ''Then go into this with your head high and your heart open. I have a feeling Brian Hayes has no idea what's about to hit him.''

I laughed softly, leaning into his shoulder. ''I hope you're right.''

That night, long after the house had gone quiet, and the city hummed below, I found myself scrolling through old articles about Brian again.

Hayes heir closes a billion-dollar merger in London.

The Enigma of Brian Hayes—the man who never misses a target

There were pictures too—some candid, some polished. In every single one, he was unreadable. Handsome, yes. Brilliant, undeniably. But distant, untouchable, like a man built of steel and ambition.

And in one week, I would be his wife.

I set my phone down and stared at the ceiling, my heart beating a little too fast.

Would he like me? Could we ever truly understand each other? Or was this doomed to be the polite, empty arrangement so many whispered it would be

As I drifted toward sleep, my phone buzzed again—one more message.

Brian: Also.... I hope you had a good day. See you tomorrow.

I stared at it, warmth blooming in my chest despite myself. Maybe he wasn't all steel after all.