Chapter 4 The Shape of an Unchosen Future

The Harrington family estate sat on a hill overlooking the city, quiet and imposing, its gates wrought with iron older than most of the relationships it guarded. Kai had grown up behind those gates, had learned early that beauty often came paired with control.

Tonight, the estate was alive.

Cars lined the curved driveway. Staff moved with rehearsed precision, their footsteps muted against polished stone. The air smelled of roasted herbs, expensive wine, and expectation.

Kai adjusted the cuff of his shirt as he stepped inside.

He felt like a guest in his own life.

"Smile," his mother murmured beside him as they entered the dining hall. "This is important."

Everything was always important when it came to appearances.

The table was set for eight, though only five were present. His father sat at the head, posture rigid, eyes sharp with assessment. His younger sister, Amara, sat quietly beside their mother, already looking bored. And across the table-

Selene Whitmore.

She rose as Kai entered, her smile flawless.

"Kai," she said warmly, stepping forward. "You look well."

She was beautiful in a way that felt curated-tall, elegant, her dark hair styled perfectly over one shoulder. Her dress hugged her frame without revealing too much, tasteful and refined. Selene was everything his family approved of.

He leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Selene."

She smelled like roses and something faintly citrusy. Pleasant. Safe.

Empty.

"Sit," his father said sharply. "Dinner is ready."

They took their places, conversations flowing easily-fundraisers, investments, social obligations. Selene laughed at the right moments, her hand resting lightly on Kai's forearm as though it belonged there.

Every time she touched him, something in him recoiled.

"You've been busy lately," Selene said casually. "I heard Harrington House is finally moving forward with the restoration."

Kai stiffened. "Yes."

"I'd love to see it when it's finished," she continued. "We could host events there. The press would adore it."

We.

He forced a neutral smile. "Perhaps."

Across the table, Amara watched him closely.

She was the only one who noticed the tension in his jaw, the way his responses shortened whenever Selene spoke of their future like it was already written in ink.

After dinner, Selene excused herself to the terrace, motioning for Kai to follow.

The night air was cool, the city lights glittering below them. She leaned against the railing, studying him with a softness that was almost convincing.

"You've been distant," she said quietly.

"I've been busy."

"You've always been busy," she replied gently. "But this feels different."

He met her gaze, something heavy settling in his chest. Selene was not cruel. She wasn't manipulative. She was simply... complicit in a life he hadn't chosen.

"Kai," she continued, voice lower now, "if there's something you want to say, I'd rather hear it than guess."

He hesitated.

The image of Lina flashed through his mind-her guarded eyes, her quiet strength, the way her presence had unsettled everything he thought he understood.

"There's someone else," he said finally.

Selene inhaled sharply.

"Is that a joke?" she asked, laughing softly.

"No."

Silence stretched between them.

Her smile faded slowly, replaced by something harder. "Who is she?"

"It's not-" He stopped himself. "It's complicated."

Her jaw tightened. "It always is."

"You deserve honesty," he said. "Even if I can't give you clarity."

She looked away, blinking rapidly. "So I'm a placeholder."

"That's not fair."

"Neither is this," she snapped, turning back to him. "We've known each other for years. We agreed to this."

"You agreed," he corrected quietly. "I complied."

The words hurt them both.

Selene straightened, composure snapping back into place like armor. "Your father will never accept this."

"I know."

"And the woman?" she asked. "Does she know what she's stepping into?"

Kai thought of Lina's fear. Her boundaries. Her honesty.

"No," he admitted. "Not fully."

Selene nodded slowly. "Then she'll learn."

Across the city, Lina stood in her kitchen, staring at her phone.

She hadn't heard from Kai all evening.

She told herself it shouldn't matter.

She told herself it was good-necessary, even-to let the silence stretch. But her body didn't listen to logic. Her chest felt tight, her thoughts restless.

Miriam watched her from the couch, unimpressed. "You're pacing."

"I'm thinking."

"You're obsessing."

Lina shot her a look. "I am not."

"You've checked your phone six times in the last ten minutes."

"That's not-"

Her phone buzzed.

She froze.

Miriam grinned. "See?"

Lina picked it up, heart pounding.

Kai:

I hope you're well.

Her breath caught.

Lina:

I am. You disappeared.

Several minutes passed.

She imagined him somewhere elegant and unreachable, a life unfolding without her in it.

Then-

Kai:

Family dinner.

Her chest tightened.

Lina:

With her?

A pause.

Longer this time.

Kai:

Yes.

The truth hit harder than she expected.

She swallowed, forcing her fingers to move.

Lina:

Then you should be with her.

Kai:

I am.

That single sentence felt like a blade.

She stared at the screen, heat rising behind her eyes.

Lina:

Goodnight, Kai.

She set the phone down before he could reply.

Miriam watched her carefully. "That was him."

"Yes."

"And?"

"And nothing," Lina said tightly. "He has a life."

Miriam frowned. "And you're part of it now."

"No," Lina said quickly. "I won't be."

But when she went to bed that night, sleep refused to come.

The next day at Harrington House, Lina avoided Kai.

She buried herself in work, spoke only when necessary, and pretended her heart wasn't bruised. When she felt his presence nearby, she moved away. When he spoke to her, she kept her responses brief.

Kai noticed.

By midday, the distance between them felt unbearable.

He found her alone in the east corridor, studying a wall of exposed brick.

"Lina," he said quietly.

She didn't turn. "If this is about the project, email me."

"It's not."

"Then don't," she replied.

He stepped closer. "You're angry."

"I'm professional."

He exhaled. "I was honest with you."

"You were selective," she shot back, finally facing him. "There's a difference."

Her eyes were sharp, hurt simmering beneath the surface.

"I didn't want to burden you," he said.

"You don't get to decide what burdens me," she replied. "I asked if you were involved with someone. You said nothing."

"I wasn't lying."

"You were withholding," she said. "And that matters."

Silence fell.

Kai's voice softened. "I never intended to hurt you."

Her laugh was brittle. "That doesn't stop it from happening."

"I'm trying to navigate something I didn't choose," he said. "Just like you."

Her chest ached. "Then choose differently."

He looked at her, something raw in his eyes. "It's not that simple."

She stepped back. "Then don't pull me into it."

He reached for her wrist, stopping himself just short of touching her. "I don't want to lose you."

"You never had me," she whispered.

The words hurt them both.

She turned and walked away, heart pounding painfully in her chest.

That evening, Lina sat alone on her balcony, city lights blurring through unshed tears.

She hated this feeling-being unmoored, unsettled. She had promised herself never again.

Her phone buzzed.

She almost ignored it.

Kai:

I ended it.

Her breath caught.

Lina:

Ended what?

Kai:

The engagement.

Her heart raced.

Lina:

Why would you do that?

Several minutes passed.

Kai:

Because pretending was destroying me.

Her chest tightened.

Lina:

And your family?

Kai:

They'll survive.

She closed her eyes.

Lina:

This doesn't fix everything.

Kai:

I know.

A pause.

Then-

Kai:

But I couldn't let you believe you were just a mistake.

Tears slipped free.

She stared at the city below, heart torn between fear and longing.

Some choices were loud.

Some consequences louder.

And love-

Love had a way of demanding everything.