Chapter 2 It's Just For A Year

Donald looked down, feeling defeated "Megan will understand. She has to. This isn't about love. It's about business."

A silence falls over the room. Donald and Margaret sit, stunned, as they both absorb the weight of what has just been placed before them. The air in the room feels thick, heavy with the unspoken truth that their lives are about to change forever.

Donald doesn't know how to respond. His entire life has just been upended, and there's no going back now. The only thing he knows for certain is that he's tied to this woman, Anna North, for the next year-a year that will define everything.

At Anna's home.

Anna," Mr North began, his voice low and filled with an unusual tension, "we need to talk about something important."

Anna looked up, her brow furrowing as she met her parents eyes. There was a weight in their expressions, a solemnity that made her uncomfortable. "What's going on?" she asked, already sensing that something wasn't right.

Her father exchanged a glance with her mother before he spoke again. "We've received an offer, Anna. From Caldwell family."

Her heart skipped a beat. The name Caldwell was enough to make her blood run cold. She had heard rumors about their wealth, their business empire, and the power they held. But what could they possibly want with her?

"We're in serious debt," her mother said, her voice trembling slightly. "Your father's business-it's all in jeopardy. We've exhausted all our options."

Anna's eyes widened. "What does this have to do with me?" Her voice came out sharper than she intended, her confusion mounting. "Why do I need to get involved in this?"

Her father's face tightened, his gaze falling to the table before meeting hers again. "The Caldwell family... they're offering a way out for us. They want you to marry their son, Anna."

Anna blinked, the words taking a moment to settle in her mind. "Marry their son?" She shook her head, the absurdity of it almost making her laugh. "I don't even know him. Why would I?

Her mother placed a hand on hers, her grip firm but pleading. "We don't have any other choice. This marriage, it's our lifeline. The debts will be cleared, Anna. Everything we've worked for, it'll be saved."

Her father's voice broke in, rough with emotion. "This is the only way. If you don't do this, we lose everything. I might lose the company, and your future... everything will fall apart. You have to understand.

Anna sat back in her chair, her breath catching in her throat. The weight of her father's words pressed down on her, and she felt the walls of the room close in. The thought of marrying someone she didn't know, someone she'd never even met, felt impossible. But as her parents' desperate eyes met hers, she knew. She could see the fear, the uncertainty in their faces.

"Please, Anna," her mother whispered, her voice cracking. "It's only for a year. Just a year, and then you can go back to your life. We'll pay off our debts, and you'll be free."

Anna's hands clenched in her lap. The thought of marriage, made her feel like her future, was slipping through her fingers like sand. She had no say in this. No choice.

Her father leaned forward, his voice low and steady, yet full of sorrow. "We don't ask for much, Anna. This is the only way we can survive. Please understand, we're doing this for you, for all of us."

Anna swallowed hard, feeling her heart twist in her chest. Her family's future rested in her hands. She could feel the responsibility pressing down on her, suffocating her.

She closed her eyes for a moment, her mind racing. Could she really sacrifice everything for this? For them?

When she opened her eyes, her parents were still waiting, their hope hanging on her response.

"I'll do it," Anna said quietly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. She didn't want to, but there was no other way. Not if she wanted to protect her family.

Her mother's face softened, tears welling up in her eyes as she reached for her hand. "Thank you, Anna. Thank you."

Anna forced a smile, but inside, a storm was brewing. What had she just agreed to?

Back at Donald's house.

Megan's footsteps echoed down the hallway as she entered Donald's home. She had been pacing in front of the building for what felt like hours, her frustration growing with every second. She stormed inside, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and hurt.

"Donald!" she snapped, her voice sharp, cutting through the calm atmosphere.

Donald, sitting at the polished, glass-topped dining table with a stack of papers in front of him, looked up. His face immediately stiffened, the calm demeanor he usually wore replaced by a subtle tension.

"Megan...!" he started, his voice soft. He pushed the papers aside and stood up, a deep breath escaping his lips. "What are you doing here?" He asked.

But Megan wasn't listening. She was already crossing the room, her heels clicking loudly against the floor as she moved toward him. She stopped just a distance from him, her arms crossed tightly in front of her chest.

"So, this is what it's come to?" she said, her voice laced with disbelief. "What is this rumors I'm hearing, that you're getting married?"

Donald's gaze faltered for a moment, and he sighed deeply. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep his composure.

"Megan please listen. It's my father's will. I didn't have a choice." He took a step closer to her, trying to offer her some kind of reassurance. "It's just a business deal. That's all it is."

Megan's eyes burned with frustration, but she let out a sharp laugh. "A business deal? You expect me to believe that?

"Yes," Donald replied quickly, "Look, My Dad Will all my inheritance to me on the condition that I had to marry some Anna girl, to save them from their pending debt or something."

Donald eyes scanned Megan's face, it seemed his words fell flat. He leaned closer to Megan, "Look I know, how you feel. I wasn't happy about it either."

Then why didn't you tell me sooner, Donald? Megan asked.

"I couldn't bring myself to tell you," Donald replied calmly. "This is just temporary. Once the year is over, everything goes back to normal. You and I... we'll get married. You've always known that."

Megan clenched her fists at her sides, trying to keep her voice steady. "And what about her? You're going to live with her for a year. What happens if maybe you start getting attached to her? What if things change, Donald