The Marriage Gamble

in his wake was deafening. Her entire world felt like it had been ripped open in the span of one conversation, leavin

ing

best to disappear into the background. The handful of distant relatives who had attended the reading of the will were already fil

d to scream. But what good would i

air. She needed to get out of this suffocating room and clear her head. The law

u need to discuss a

intended. She immediately regretted the tone, but she was to

he hallway. The cool air of the corridor hit her like a wave, and she took

nk, but more than that

't have to turn around to know who was following her. A famili

of Mira Adams, her best friend and l

e her way toward the elevator. She couldn't bring herself to stop. If she did, if she let hers

filled with concern. "Lena, talk to m

button for the elevator. "I don't

and Lena hit the button for the lobby with more force than necessary. She

ncredulous. "Are you seriously telling me tha

he let out a breath, shaking her

"Well, that's one hell of a way to mess with yo

orless laugh. "Yeah, seems like he s

had known Lena long enough to sense when she was hold

going to do?" M

question she'd been asking herself since Nathaniel had

ing lobby. Lena stepped out, her steps faltering slightly. She didn't

e muttered. "I don't kno

treet. The early afternoon sun beat down on them, but it did no

ians until they reached a small park nearby. Lena led them to a quiet bench sha

her face in her hands. "I ca

a lot, Lena. And I get that it feels like a trap. Bu

about it. And I don't know what's worse-marrying Nathaniel and losing whatever shred o

g up more than just the money. You'd be giving him your grandfather's entire legac

ntire life trying to distance herself from her grandfather's empire, determined to make it on her own terms. But now, standi

oney. It was about power.

t wha

oesn't have to be permanent. You could think of it as a temporary business arrangement. One year. That's all

was even an option. But deep down, she knew Mira was right. A temporary marriage could solve the

He had made it clear this was purely a business arrange

uld she really go through with it? Could she spend a year living in such close pro

nning a hand through he

eah, it is. But it mig

It was her only option. Walking away would be surrendering every

surrendering something else. Something

ag, their laughter filling the air. They were so carefree, so unaware of t

to make a name for herself, to build a career on her own terms. And now, in one cruel twist of fate, s

houghts. "Whatever you decide, you won't be doin

s been her anchor, the one person who stood by her side no matter what. And knowin

make the cho

ing with the exhaustion of the past few hours.

ke all the time you need. Just... don't

urse of the rest of her life. It felt l

till spinning. "I shou

queeze. "Call me if you need anything. And I

weak smile. "Thanks, M

ve, Mira called out

glancing over

er you decide, make sure y

r decision. The sun was dipping lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park. S

nt

er life, her legacy. Nathaniel had offered her a deal, a cold, calculate

than she gained? Would she be handing over co

she descended into the subway station

one thing was clear: whatever dec

would not be the one