Chapter 5 Sorry

CHRISTINE'S POV

I get to my office and immediately dial my mom's number,

my fingers trembling slightly as I press the screen.

"Hey Mom," I say the moment she picks up. My voice is

clipped. "Did you know about this new clause that I have to

get married before I can become CEO, and it has to happen

before my next birthday?"

Silence.

Dead, heavy silence.

"So you knew?" I ask again, voice rising.She tries to speak stammers something but I end the call

before the words fully form.

I can't deal with any of this right now.

This is all too much for me. I feel completely blindsided

betrayed, even. How long had they been sitting on this

information? Did they just assume I'd fall in line? That I'd

find a husband like it's as easy as picking out a new

wardrobe?

I know Angela is probably worried about what I'm doing she

was at the meeting too. I'd specifically asked not to be

disturbed or for anyone to come in. And right now, I need

answers. Real ones.

I storm out of my office and down the hallway, ignoring the

polite nods and side glances. My heels thud hard against the

floor with every step. I head straight to Dad's office. Maybe

he can explain this ridiculousness maybe he'll give me

something real to hold on to.

When I get there, he's mid-conversation with him.

Adrian.Of course.

They both look up. They seem deep in discussion, voices low

and serious, until Dad sees me. With a brief glance at Adrian,

he waves him off.

Adrian gives a slight nod and walks out. Past me. No words,

no smirk, no sarcastic jab. Just that quiet, unreadable

expression.

For the second time today, nothing. Just... silence.

It's starting to feel all... weird.

Adrian Kellerham doesn't do "quiet." Especially not with

me.

I push the thought aside and focus on Dad. My heart is

already pounding with too many questions."Why, Dad? How did this happen?" I demand, voice sharp

but cracking. "How come you and Mom both knew, but I

was never informed?"

"Oh, you called Mom?" he asks, visibly caught off guard.

"Dad, that's not the point. I just want to understand what's

going on. Were you forced? Is there something else

happening?"

He exhales slowly, then motions for me to sit. I don't.

"I'm sorry," he says gently. "I didn't want it to be like this.

But I had to make the decision, and I hope you'll try to

understand."

He's still dancing around the truth. Still vague.

And then he says it:

"You could just get back with Brian. He was a nice boy. I've

always wondered why you two ended things. You've never

really said anything about it, so I think maybe there's still a

chance."I blink, stunned.

My ears ring a little. "Wait... are you saying Brian talked

you into this? That this was some ploy to get me back with

him?"

Dad shakes his head. "No, Brian doesn't know anything

about this. I promise. If he did, I doubt he would've ended

things. You know his issue was how busy you were. You

prioritized the company over the relationship. He said you

were basically married to the job."

And... he wasn't wrong.

All my time, my energy, my everything I poured it into the

company. Into DreamSpace. Late nights, missed birthdays,

cancelled vacations. I gave it all. And now, after losing that

relationship and working this hard, I might still lose the one

thing I've sacrificed everything for because of some outdated

marriage clause?

But as I stand there, hearing Dad talk... I realize something.Maybe I never saw myself marrying Brian. I thought I did

but it was more out of comfort, out of history. Yes, I'm hurt

about how it ended, but if I'm being honest... I'm also

relieved.

Toward the end, things just felt off. We stopped growing in

the same direction. He wanted quiet weekends and

spontaneous date nights. I wanted boardrooms and deadlines.

We started tiptoeing around each other like strangers in the

same house. The breakup wasn't sudden it was inevitable.

I can't say I didn't see it coming.

Actually, I did.

And maybe... it was for the best.

But that doesn't change what I'm feeling now. Confusion.

Frustration. A deep, gnawing unfairness.

After all my hard work did they not see it?

Did they not notice the months I spent working two

departments at once when someone quit unexpectedly? Orthe sleepless nights perfecting our global expansion strategy?

Did none of that matter?

I gave up my personal life for this company. I gave up love

for this company. And now they want to make me miserable

-again-by using marriage as a condition for something

I've already earned?

It's absurd. And cruel.

Tears sting the corners of my eyes, but I force them back.

No. I will not cry.

I face Dad again, my jaw set. "Is there any way out of this?

There has to be, right? Because I am not absolutely not

marrying Brian. You can tell from my reaction that it's out of

the question."

Dad lets out a long sigh. The kind that deflates the room.

He leans back, looking suddenly older. "I didn't mention it

before because... I honestly believed you'd end up marrying

Brian. So I didn't think it would ever become an issue."Then he drops the real bombshell.

"The clause has always been there. It was agreed upon by

your grandfather that for you to become CEO, you must be

married before your 25th birthday. He insisted on it years

ago."

I go still.

The air leaves my lungs like a punch to the stomach.

It's not even a new clause.

It's been hanging over me this whole time like a loaded gun,

pointed at my future.

And no one told me.

And then... he says it.

The next words out of his mouth leave me in complete, utter,

breathless shock.More shock than when the original statement was made.

"What about marrying Adrian? Dad asks"

I stare at him.

"WHAT?! I CANNOT MARRY HIM. I HATE HIM!"

Is that why Adrian was here?

Oh my God.

Does he have a role in all this? Was this all part of some

premeditated plan?

No wonder he was in that meeting.

No wonder he was quiet the whole time.

No wonder he's been acting so off.

Dad continues, trying to calm me down. "I don't understand

your hatred toward him. Adrian's a good boy. I know youhad a crush on him when you were younger. You two would

actually make a great couple."

I'm livid.

"I will never absolutely never marry Adrian," I hiss, each

word clipped with rage.

Without another word, I storm out of Dad's office, boiling

with anger, hurt, and betrayal.

And somehow, I know this is only the beginning.