The next evening arrived far too quickly.

My mind kept replaying what happened earlier. I hadn't called Daniel back, I didn't know how to meet him or what to tell him. I was still anxious so I left my phone in my drawer.

"Remember what we talked about," my father stood behind the door, adjusting his cufflinks for the fourth time. "Be polite. Be respectful. And try to make a good impression."

I met his eyes in the mirror. "Try?" I asked quietly. He cleared his throat. "You know what I mean."

My mother hovered behind me as the stylist pinned the last curl into place. "Not that necklace," she said suddenly, frowning at the mirror. "The diamond one. The Kingsleys will expect something more... appropriate."

I almost laughed, as if the dress wasn't already saying enough. I was wrapped in a sleek black evening gown that hugged every line of my body as if I were being packaged for display. Which, in a way, I was. They weren't preparing a daughter for dinner. They were preparing an investment for delivery.

The door behind us opened softly. Diana stepped inside. Her eyes filled with something that looked suspiciously like guilt. "Mom, Dad... can I talk to Melissa for a second?" My parents exchanged a glance before leaving the room.

She walked closer, twisting her fingers together the same way she always did when she was nervous. "I didn't ask for this," she said softly. I didn't answer her. "I mean it," she continued. "When they told me about the Kingsley proposal, I-"

"You didn't have to ask," I interrupted gently. She looked up.

"They chose you long ago." The words came out calm. Almost gentle. But they landed exactly where I wanted them to.

Diana tried to respond, but nothing came out.

After a while, she whispered, "I wish things were different." I finally turned to face her fully. "So do I."

But we both knew wishes had never mattered in this family.

___________

"I'm not getting into that car."

My father stopped walking. The driver stood awkwardly beside the open door of the black sedan while the evening wind rustled the trees along the driveway.

My mother turned slowly, her expression tightening.

"Melissa, don't start this."

"I'm not starting anything." My voice came out steadier than I felt. "I'm ending it. Let Diana marry him."

The silence that followed was sharp enough to cut. For a brief second, my father actually looked stunned. Then his face hardened. "You know that's not possible."

My mother stepped closer, lowering her voice like someone trying to calm a child throwing a tantrum. "Do you have any idea what will happen if you embarrass the Kingsleys tonight?" she whispered. "Your father's company will collapse. Everything we've built will disappear."

Everything they had built. Not me. It was never about me.

My fingers curled against my palm. "So I'm the sacrifice," I said quietly. My father didn't even hesitate. "You're the eldest." It was such a simple answer. Clean and convenient.

Diana stepped outside. She hesitated when she saw the tension in the driveway. "Are you still here?" she asked carefully. My mother forced a smile. "Melissa was just about to get in the car."

And this time- I didn't argue. I stepped forward and got into the car

The drive to Kingsley Manor felt longer than usual. No one spoke much. My mother spent most of the ride reminding me about etiquette and posture while my father rehearsed polite conversation topics under his breath.

When the gates of the estate finally opened, my stomach tightened. The manor stood tall and imposing under the evening lights.

Exactly what you would expect from one of the most powerful families in the city. We were greeted in the grand foyer by Jacob Kingsley and his wife, Margaret.

Jacob shook my father's hand firmly. "Mr. Hartwood. Welcome."

Margaret's smile was graceful and perfectly measured.

"Melissa, it's lovely to see you again." Her eyes studied me carefully as if she were evaluating a rare piece of art. Or perhaps a risky purchase.

We moved into the sitting room where drinks had already been prepared. One seat across from me was occupied.

Ethan Kingsley. He leaned back lazily in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. His eyes lifted when I entered. And stayed there. The look wasn't inappropriate. But it was... assessing. Like he was studying a puzzle.

I sat down across from him. He smiled faintly. "Still time to run," he murmured.

I rolled my eyes.

"Is your brother really that terrible?"

Ethan tilted his head thoughtfully. "You'll see."

That was not comforting.

Dinner began soon after. But Liam still hadn't arrived. The empty seat at the head of the table felt louder with every passing minute. Margaret noticed the silence and offered a calm explanation. "Liam has a habit of finishing work before social obligations."

Jacob nodded. "He'll be here." But even as he said it, something in the room felt tense.

The staff moved around quietly, but their movements carried an unusual stiffness. As if they were waiting for something. Or someone. I tried not to think about the man I was about to meet. But my mind betrayed me anyway.

He could be cold...arrogant...possibly cruel.

After all, what kind of man agrees to marry a stranger just to merge two companies?

The sound of the doors opening interrupted my thoughts.

Everyone at the table looked up. He walked in without rushing.

He was tall, looked completely calm. He didn't say anything at first. His gaze moved slowly across the room, taking everything in. Then it landed on me. For a moment, the rest of the table disappeared.

Jacob cleared his throat. "Liam, this is Melissa Hartwood."

Liam stepped closer. He studied my face with quiet concentration. Not rudely. Just... carefully. Then he said something unexpected. "You look different from the photos."

I blinked. "What photos?" From across the table, Ethan chuckled softly. Liam ignored him.

He shared polite pleasantries then dinner continued, but the tension gradually softened.

At first, everyone was carefully choosing what not to say.

Then Liam spoke. "So," he said, setting his glass down, his gaze settling on me, "you've been modeling for how long now?"

The question was simple. "About four years," I replied. "Professionally, at least."

"And before that?"

I blinked slightly. "Before that... I was just trying to get through school."

Liam nodded once, as if filing that away. "And acting?"

"Occasionally," I said. "Mostly small roles. Campaign crossovers. Nothing major yet."

"Nothing major," he repeated, almost thoughtfully. "But you intend for it to be?" There was no mockery in his tone. Just... curiosity. "Yes," I said after a beat. "I do."

"Good," he replied simply.

Across the table, my father shifted slightly, like he didn't quite know what to do with this version of the conversation.

Liam continued, "And business? Your father mentioned you've been involved recently." I let out a small breath. "Involved is a generous word. I step in when things are... unstable."

"That requires more skill than most people think," Liam said. I looked up at him then. Most people dismissed it. Most people dismissed me. But he didn't. It caught me off guard.

He wasn't arrogant or cruel as I thought he'd be. He was rather observant. And far more intelligent than I had expected.

Margaret finally interjected, her tone smooth. "Melissa has always been... adaptable." There was something pointed in that word. Liam didn't respond to it. Instead, his attention returned to me. And then, halfway through dinner, he asked:

"Do you actually want this marriage?"

The question landed like a dropped glass. My father froze mid-motion.

"Liam-" his mother, Margaret voice tightened. Her fork paused halfway to her plate. "Is that really necessary?" she added quietly.

Jacob's gaze flicked toward Liam, surprised but watchful. Liam didn't look at any of them. He was still looking at me.

Waiting. The room held its breath. I hesitated. There were a hundred answers I could give. But I chose to say the truth.

"Want might be the wrong word."

My father exhaled sharply. "Melissa-" But I didn't look at him.

Liam's expression didn't change. If anything, it softened just slightly. "Fair enough," he said.

That was it. No judgment. No pressure. Just acceptance. And somehow, that made it worse.

Across the table, Ethan leaned back in his chair, watching the exchange like it was something quietly fascinating.

"Honesty," he murmured lightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's new."

Margaret shot him a look. Ethan only lifted his glass, unbothered.

The conversation resumed after that but something had changed. After dinner, chairs scraped softly against the floor as everyone stood. Voices overlapped-polite, measured, controlled. But I barely heard any of it.

"Melissa." I turned. Liam was already beside me. Not close enough to invade my space. But close enough to make it clear he was speaking only to me. "Would you mind walking with me for a moment?" he asked.

It wasn't really a question. More like a quiet invitation. Behind me, I could feel my parents stiffen. My mother's voice came quickly, strained with forced composure. "I don't think that's-"

"It's fine," I said, before she could finish.

My father looked like he might actually protest. Which only made me more certain. I stood up.

Liam stepped aside, giving me space to move ahead of him.

And as I walked past the table, I caught Ethan's gaze.

There was something knowing in it. Something almost amused. Like he was waiting to see how this would unfold.

And for reasons I couldn't quite explain- So was I.

The night air outside was cool and quiet. The garden stretched wide under soft lights. For a while, we walked without speaking. Then Liam asked suddenly, "Did my family pressure you into this?"

I laughed softly. "Your family? My family did most of the work." For the first time that evening, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

We walked a few more steps. Then he stopped.

"You should know something before agreeing to this marriage."

My stomach tightened. "What?"

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he studied my face carefully. As if deciding whether I deserved the truth. But before he could speak, another voice cut through the quiet. "Liam."

We both turned.

Ethan stood at the end of the garden path. His expression was serious. Far too serious for someone who had been joking all evening.

"Liam, we need to talk."

Liam frowned slightly. "Now?"

Ethan nodded. "It can't wait."

For a moment, Liam looked like he might refuse. His gaze returned to me. It lingered there for a second. "We'll continue this conversation later." And just like that, the moment slipped away. He turned, walking back towards the house with Ethan beside him. Neither of them looked back.

I stood there longer than I should have. I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever Ethan had just interrupted...wasn't meant for me to hear.

By the time I got back inside, the atmosphere felt as if nothing had happened. My parents were already waiting.

My mother smiled too quickly. "There you are."

"What is it?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

My father didn't bother easing into it. "Your engagement will be announced very soon."

"Announced?" I repeated. "What do you mean-so soon?"

My mother's smile didn't waver. "We can't afford delays."

A slow unease crept into my chest.

"I hope you've handled... your situation," she added pointedly. "I wouldn't want any complications." Daniel.

"I haven't-" I started.

"You will," my father cut in smoothly. "Tonight."

Something in his tone made it clear this wasn't a suggestion.

"This is bigger than you," he continued. "Once the engagement is public, Kingsley Holdings will proceed with the merger immediately." He almost looked... excited. "This is good for us."

Us. It was always us, never me.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of polite smiles and empty conversations. By the time we got home, the exhaustion hit all at once. I didn't even bother turning on the lights. I just sat at the edge of my bed, staring at nothing.

For a moment, I considered calling Daniel. Telling him everything and apologizing. But the words felt impossible. Like saying them out loud would make it real.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Daniel. Just a link, no text. Something about that felt wrong.

My fingers hovered for a second before I tapped it open. The page loaded slowly. And then a headline stared back at me.

"Kingsley Holdings Announces Engagement of Liam Kingsley to Melissa Hartwood."

My name.

His name.

Side by side.

Public.

Permanent.

Final.

Below it was a photo taken earlier tonight. Liam standing beside me. His hand resting lightly at my back. My expression was carefully neutral like I already knew. Like I had agreed to that photo.

A second notification came in. This time, a text from Daniel, just three words.

"Is this true?"

My chest tightened so sharply it hurt. And for the first time since all of this began, I realized I hadn't just agreed to a marriage. I had just destroyed something real.

Sleep vanished from my eyes. My heart started pounding.

I didn't think. I just moved. "Mom!" I shouted as I stormed out of my room.

When I got downstairs, she looked surprised to see me.

"Darling, you should be asleep. You know you'll be very busy now that you're getting married. We'll have to set up interviews-LoversDaily will definitely want you on their front page-"

She kept going on and on.

"Mom!" I snapped.

"I'm right beside you, dear," she said with a small laugh.

"Why are you doing this?" My voice dropped.

She frowned slightly. "We've talked about this, Melissa."

"It's happening too fast. Can you slow down?!"

"Slow down?" She let out a soft scoff. "We should be moving faster. When you're offered a pot of gold, you take it."

"Do you expect me to just end things with Daniel? He's the one I want to marry." My voice cracked, my eyes started tearing up.

I waited for sympathy. Instead, she looked at me disappointed, almost disgusted."I never liked him." My heart dropped.

"He might be rich and attractive," she continued, "but he's nothing compared to the heir of the Kingsley empire."

"I told you to end things with Daniel a long time ago. You never listen. If you had, your heart wouldn't be so troubled right now."

I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat.

"Don't be pathetic," she added, though her tone softened slightly as she patted my back. "You'll get over it. Once the contracts are signed, everything will settle."

That was it. That was all I was worth. I didn't respond. I just walked away. I cried myself to sleep. Or at least, I tried to.

Sleep never really came. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw different versions of tomorrow. None of them ended well.

I checked my phone over and over again. The headline was everywhere. By morning, I was sure the entire city had seen it. I dragged myself out of bed and took a shower. By the time I came downstairs, the maids were already setting breakfast.

My phone rang. I hesitated to pick it. Then I saw the name. It was my best friend, Jessica. I'm sure she was losing it, she must have been stunned to see the headlines.

I answered.

"GIRLLLL!!" her voice exploded through the phone. "One minute you're engaged to the love of your life, next minute you're marrying a billionaire stranger. Or maybe he's not a stranger? What am I missing?!"

I sighed. "It's complicated."

"When has anything been too complicated for me to understand? Have you forgotten what I do for a living? I'm coming over."

"No!" I said quickly.

I couldn't deal with everything at once. Daniel was the priority. I had to see him.

"I'll explain everything later," I said. "I promise."

It took longer than expected, but eventually she let it go. Barely. "I'm coming after," she warned. "You're not escaping me."

I grabbed my keys and rushed out before I could change my mind. The drive to Higgins Park felt too long. That was where I met Daniel and where he proposed. Our place.

At a red light, I slowed near a bridal atelier on Richmond Avenue. The display windows glowed under the afternoon sun. Ivory gowns stood behind glass like royalty. One had cascading lace sleeves that fell like mist. Another was sleek satin, smooth enough to catch the light like liquid pearl. A mermaid silhouette hugged an invisible waist before flaring into delicate tulle. There was one covered in crystals-like fallen stars.

For a moment, everything went quiet. I had always imagined my wedding. Just... not like this. Not with the wrong person.

The light turned green. I drove faster wishing the wind would sweep away my worries.

When I got to the park, I saw him immediately. Standing by the lake. Daniel. Tall. Familiar. Mine.

Or... he used to be.