Chapter 3 THE WRONG GROOM

"You're... what?" My mother blinked. I lifted my hand carefully for the ring to reflect the light. "Daniel proposed," I said. "Recently. I was waiting for the right time to tell you."

My father's expression darkened. "Daniel?"

"Yes."

My father leaned forward, his voice tightening. "And you thought this was something you should keep from us?"

"I wasn't hiding it," I snapped. "I just hadn't-"

"You said yes?" my mother cut in. I hesitated. "...Yes."

"Melissa," my father said slowly, "do you understand what you're risking here?"

"I'm not risking anything, dad. I'm choosing my life." I said firmly.

"You're choosing a man over your family."

"No, I'm choosing myself."

"That company feeds hundreds of families!" he shot back. "Do you think your silly love will do the same?"

I clenched my jaw. "Daniel is not the problem here."

"No," my mother said coldly. "Your lack of perspective is."

Diana's voice came softly, trembling. "Maybe... maybe there's another way-"

"There isn't," my father snapped. Then his tone shifted.

"If this deal falls through, Hartwood Global collapses. Employees lose their jobs," he continued. "Reputations are destroyed. Everything we've built-gone." His gaze locked on mine. "Because you chose a man we don't even know."

My phone rang. It was Daniel. For a second, I couldn't move. I didn't pick but he called again.

"Hey," his voice came, warm. "I've been trying to reach you. Are you still coming tonight? I thought we could celebrate properly. You kind of disappeared after saying yes."

A sharp ache twisted in my chest. "I'm... busy," I said.

"Busy?" he repeated gently. "Melissa, it's our engagement."

"I know," I said quickly. "I just-something came up. Family stuff."

"Is everything okay?" he asked, concern creeping into his tone. "You sound off."

I closed my eyes. A voice inside me kept telling me-Say it.

Tell him.

"I'm fine," I said instead. There was a long pause.

"You don't sound fine," Daniel said quietly. "Talk to me."

I swallowed. "I can't right now."

"Melissa-"

"I said I'm fine," I cut in, sharper than I intended. Then, softer, hurt slipping through his voice, "Did I do something wrong?"

That broke something in me.

"No," I whispered. "No, you didn't do anything."

"Then why does it feel like you're pushing me away?"

Because I am. Because I don't know how to tell you I just agreed to marry someone else. My mind ached.

"I'll call you later," I said quickly.

"Melissa, wait-"

I ended the call.

The silence afterward was deafening. Back to my parents, the conversation hadn't moved on. My father looked at me. "Well?"

I let out a slow breath. "So give them Diana."

My mother's voice hardened. "You know she isn't suited for this kind of arrangement."

Oh. I understand now. They weren't choosing the eldest daughter. They were choosing the expendable one.

They were already going back inside then I stopped them. "You arranged this before I even got here," I said. My father sighed heavily. "The company is collapsing."

"That's not my question."

"Melissa-"

"You didn't even ask me!"

My mother stepped forward calmly. "We gave you a home when you had none." The words hit harder than they probably intended. I stared at her. "So now I owe you a marriage?"

"No," she said softly. "You owe the family your loyalty."

Diana came behind me, her voice trembling. "Melissa... you don't have to"

"Yes I do," I cut in quietly. Because we all knew the truth: If I refused to accept, the company would collapse. And Diana-their precious daughter-would suffer too.

My father's voice softened, almost pleading now. "End it."

I looked at him.

"Whatever this is with Daniel," he said. "End it."

My chest tightened. "You're asking me to-"

"I'm telling you," he said.

I closed my eyes briefly. Then nodded once. "If it saves the company..." The words tasted bitter. "I'll do it."

I slipped the ring off my finger and held it tightly in my palm.

Back in the sitting room, Jacob Kingsley asked the question formally. "Do you accept the marriage arrangement?"

Every eye in the room was on me.

I swallowed. "Yes."

The lawyers immediately began discussing contracts. The speed of it made my head spin. Like this had been planned long before today.

As we prepared to leave, Margaret added:

"The two families will have dinner tomorrow evening."

She smiled politely. "That will be when you meet our son."

I stepped outside the manor to clear my mind. I tried to stay calm but my chest tightened as I heard, "You agreed faster than I expected."

I turned. Ethan Kingsley was standing a few feet away. Watching me.

"I didn't have much of a choice," I said.

Then said, "You should meet him before signing anything final."

A small crease formed between my brows. "Him?"

Ethan tilted his head slightly, almost amused. "My brother."

Everything stood still. "...Your brother?"

"Yes." A faint smile touched his lips. "Liam."

Ethan took a step closer, his voice quieter now. "Most women who agree to marry Liam..." he said, pausing just long enough to make my stomach tighten. "...change their minds after meeting him."

My throat went dry. "Why would they?"

Ethan's smile widened slightly. But he didn't answer.

And suddenly I realized something unsettling.

Tomorrow night would be the first time I met the man I had just agreed to marry.

And judging by Ethan's expression, it might also be the moment I regretted it.