Chapter 4 4

The tension from her encounter with Julian lingered, but Lila felt a new energy propelling her forward as she made her way to meet Ethan. This wasn't about relying on someone else to fix her problems-it was about partnering with someone who understood the stakes and could help her face them head-on. She'd spent too long feeling cornered and desperate; this time, she was making her own choices, and if Ethan could be a part of that, she would let him.

When she arrived at his office building, the sleek, glass structure seemed to reflect her resolve back at her, a reminder of the different world she was stepping into. The lobby was modern and stylish, with high ceilings and marble floors that echoed her footsteps as she crossed the room. The receptionist glanced up and offered a polite smile.

"Miss Lila Anderson?" she asked.

Lila nodded, nerves prickling under her skin.

"Mr. Sterling is expecting you. The elevator is to your left-twenty-fifth floor," the receptionist instructed, gesturing to the bank of elevators.

With a small nod, Lila stepped into the elevator and pressed the button. She stared at her reflection in the mirrored wall, steeling herself for the confrontation, the alliance, or whatever this meeting might bring. As the floors ticked upward, she felt a strange mixture of anticipation and fear building in her chest.

The doors slid open, and she stepped out, taking in the hushed sophistication of Ethan's office. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave a panoramic view of the city, casting the space in natural light. Ethan was standing near his desk, his back to her as he looked out over the skyline. At her approach, he turned, his expression softening as his gaze met hers.

"Lila," he greeted her, his voice warm yet steady.

"Ethan," she replied, holding his gaze as she crossed the room toward him. For a moment, they stood in silence, each waiting for the other to speak, to bridge the quiet tension that hung between them.

He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You didn't have to come in person. I would have come to you."

She shook her head. "No, I wanted to see you here, to understand what it is you do... and what you can help me with."

He nodded, sensing the resolve in her tone. "I respect that." He gestured to the chair across from his desk, but she didn't sit. Instead, she walked to the window, letting the view sink in, trying to remind herself of the vastness of this world she was about to enter.

"You know why I'm here," she finally said, her voice low but firm.

Ethan nodded. "Yes. I spoke with a few contacts. Your father's situation is... complicated." He came to stand beside her, his presence both grounding and reassuring. "But it's not impossible to fix."

A glimmer of hope ignited in her chest. "What's the catch?"

He sighed, looking down for a moment before meeting her gaze with a seriousness that left no room for doubt. "The fastest way to get this done is to make our arrangement... official. Marriage would give me legal and financial authority to intervene on your father's behalf."

The words hit her like a jolt, even though she'd expected them. They felt surreal, like she'd wandered into someone else's life, someone else's choices. "Marriage?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," he replied, his tone unwavering. "It's unconventional, but it's also the most straightforward path. And I don't take this lightly, Lila. I know what I'm asking of you."

She swallowed, her mind spinning with a thousand thoughts. "And in return, you get... what?"

He hesitated, his gaze flickering with a vulnerability she hadn't expected. "An heir."

The words settled between them, heavy with implications. This wasn't just about her father's freedom; it was about tying her life to Ethan's in a way that felt both intoxicating and terrifying.

Lila's heart pounded as she looked away, trying to sort through the flood of emotions that washed over her. "An heir," she repeated softly, her voice barely more than a murmur.

Ethan reached out, his hand brushing her shoulder lightly, grounding her. "Lila, I know this is a lot to ask. But I promise you, if you agree to this, I'll do everything in my power to help your father. You'll never have to deal with Julian or his family's influence again."

The thought of being free from Julian's manipulations was tempting, a lure she found herself unable to resist. But this arrangement... it was so much more than she'd ever bargained for. She took a deep breath, meeting Ethan's gaze with a determination she hadn't felt in years.

"Alright," she said, her voice steady. "I'll do it."

A flicker of relief crossed his face, though he kept his expression neutral. "We'll make this official. But Lila," he added, his tone softening, "I want you to know that I don't expect anything from you that you're not willing to give. This isn't a prison sentence. You'll have your freedom, your choices."

She nodded, the weight of his words settling over her. She had entered into a world of power and influence, but with Ethan beside her, perhaps she could forge her own path.