Chapter 4 The Choice I Never Had

Skyle Hale

I had just returned from work, my body heavy with exhaustion. Every step felt like a mile as I climbed the stairs to my room. After a long bath, I finally felt a little relief from the day's fatigue. Hunger gnawed at me, so I headed to the kitchen to make something quick.

Ava was there. She didn't speak, only smirked at me as I started preparing noodles. I couldn't help but wonder what her new motive was this time. Whatever it was, it always involved making my life miserable.

I carried my bowl to my room, seeking a quiet corner to eat in peace. No one had ever cared about me here, and for once, I wanted just a moment of solitude.

But then... a knock at the door.

Curious and nervous, I opened it to find my father and stepmother standing there. My heart skipped. What brought them here? They had never cared enough to check on me before.

My father spoke first, his voice soft but serious.

"Skyle... we need to talk."

ok I said giving him an "about what" look so he began ; "skyle dear, you know that you are my first daughter"since when I thought aloud,he looked at me but continued"I will go straight to the point,the company has been loosing it's shares lately and as a result we need a higher company to join forces with " so what did that got to do with me? I asked.uhm dear he continued " we submitted a marriage proposal to the black wood group and it have been accepted,so you will be getting married to Alexander. It came like a shock to me ,I wanted the ground to open right now and swallow me but it couldn't,I burst Into tears,

"I... I can't," I whispered, shaking my head. Tears pricked my eyes. "I thought it was meant to be Ava, not me?"

Richard sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Skyle... the company is losing everything. Alexander's marriage proposal is the only way to steady it. I... I need you to do this for the family."

My heart sank. The weight of his words crushed me.

Vivian stepped forward, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "You are of no use to this family," she said coldly. "All you can do is... this much. If you refuse to marry Alexander Blackwood, you will not be living in this house."

My father's pleading eyes met mine, but Vivian's words were final. They turned and left without another word.

I sank to the floor, my bowl untouched beside me. Tears streamed down my face as I asked myself question after question: Why me? Why now? What did I do to deserve this?

I thought of my job, the little pay I earned, and the impossibility of affording an apartment on my own. The harsh truth settled over me like a heavy blanket: I had no choice.

As I sat there, broken, I caught a glimpse of Ava peeking from the staircase, her smirk faint but unmistakable. She had seen everything. I knew she was already plotting her next move, enjoying my misery as much as she always did.

Swallowing my tears, I realized my fate was sealed. Without even knowing it, my life was about to change forever.

Still sitting on the cold floor, my chest felt tight, like I couldn't breathe properly.

I wasn't feeling myself. Not at all.

I needed to talk to someone... someone who would listen without judging me. Someone who cared.

Clara.

With trembling hands, I reached for my phone. My vision was blurry from tears as I dialed her number. It rang once... twice... then she answered.

"Skyle?" her voice came through, warm and familiar. "What's wrong?"

That was all it took. I broke down.

"Clara..." my voice cracked as tears poured freely. "I don't know what to do anymore."

I told her everything,how my father and stepmother had come to my room, how he pleaded with me to marry Alexander because the company was falling apart. I told her how I refused at first, how I asked why it had to be me and not Ava. I told her about Vivian's cruel words, about the threat to throw me out of the house if I didn't agree.

"I don't even have a choice," I sobbed. "My job can't even pay for an apartment. If I leave... I'll have nowhere to go."

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then Clara spoke softly, her voice full of concern.

"Oh, Skyle... I'm so sorry. You don't deserve any of this."

"I'm scared, Clara," I whispered. "I don't know this man. I don't know what kind of life I'm walking into."

"You're strong," she said firmly, trying to steady me. "Stronger than you think. And whatever happens, you won't face it alone. I'm here, okay? Always."

Her words didn't erase the pain, but they made it bearable,just a little.

After ending the call, I stared at the ceiling, my heart heavy. One thing was clear, my life was no longer mine to choose.

Hale's mansion

Ava twirled slowly in front of the mirror, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"So it's settled," she said smugly. "She agreed."

Vivian sat comfortably on the sofa, crossing her legs with elegance. "Of course she did," she replied calmly. "Where else would she go? That girl has always known her place."

Ava laughed softly. "Did you see her face? She looked like she'd break."

Vivian's eyes gleamed with triumph. "Good. Pain teaches obedience."

Ava picked up her phone, scrolling through pictures of Alexander Blackwood on the screen. "Imagine... all that wealth, all that power-and she's the one marrying him." She scoffed. "What a joke."

Vivian stood and adjusted Ava's hair affectionately. "Relax. Skyle will go in your place, suffer through that marriage, and when the company is stable again, we'll find a way out."

Ava smirked. "And if Alexander finds out?"

Vivian's smile didn't falter. "He won't. To the world, you are the only Hale daughter. By the time the truth comes out... it will be far too late."

Ava clapped her hands together lightly. "Perfect. Let her marry the rumored gay billionaire and live a miserable life."

Vivian's gaze darkened. "She was born to sacrifice for this family."

Alexander Blackwood

I ended the call and set my phone down slowly, my expression unreadable.

One year.

That was all this marriage would last. One year of convenience, strategy, and silence. Nothing more.

I turned my chair toward the window, the city lights glittering beneath me like trophies I had already won. The Hale family thought this alliance would save them. Maybe it would. But for me, it was simply another calculated move.

Marriage wasn't about love. It never was.

The woman,Ava Hale,had agreed far too easily. That alone told me everything I needed to know. Women like her always wanted something. Status. Money. Security. And she would get all of it... on paper.

I smirked faintly.

I hope you're prepared, I thought. Because being Mrs. Alexander Blackwood won't be as glamorous as you imagine.

I picked up the contract again, skimming through the clauses I had personally added. No emotions. No interference in my work. No expectations beyond what was written. This was a business arrangement, and I intended to keep it that way.

"One year," I muttered. "Then we go our separate ways."

I stood up, straightening my suit. Whoever she was, whatever she expected from this marriage, she would soon learn one thing,

"I was not a man to be loved."