The Marriage Gamble

ke they were closing in on her as the gravity of the situation pressed down harder with each passing hour. Nathaniel's smug, composed fa

he legacy of Edward Drake, found herself at the mercy of a man like Nathaniel Jameson? It wasn't just ironic;

a jacket, she grabbed her bag and keys and made her way out the door, heading toward the elevator of her building. As t

of her mind. Six months to decide if she would tie herself to him for the res

bout their business, oblivious to the internal war she was fighting. She walked without a clear destination, her feet carrying her into the familiar

the concrete jungle. She paused near one of the entrances, watching as couples strolled hand-in-hand, children laughed, and j

secluded bench she had often visited when she needed to think. It was tucked away

d, she saw someone a

han

art dr

the trees. The fading evening light cast a glow across his sharp features, making him look like a fi

could make her escape, he turned his head, catching sight of her. His expression rem

ever, but there was something different in hi

ng at the back of her neck. "What are you

reach his eyes. "Hardly. I come here to thi

t this wasn't a coincidence. But Nathaniel was too good at masking his intentions,

e. The tension from their earlier meeting hadn't dissipated-it was as

d skin. "So, what is it this time? Another lecture about legacy

his eyes never leaving hers. "No lec

thaniel Jameson wanted a conversation? Since when d

tever trap he was setting for her. But something kept her rooted to the spot. Maybe it was the curiosit

the bench, maintaining as much distance as she could between

g her in that calculated way of his, as if he were a

after a long moment. "This isn't p

"Just business? You're talking about marriage like it's some kin

e unwavering. "That's exactly what this

her head. "You think everything can

case, yes. Your grandfather understood that. He knew that combining our families would cr

around him, and even in death, he had found a way to pull the strings from beyond the grave. But what stung the most was the truth in Nathaniel

not some prize to be won, Nathaniel. I'm not s

, if only slightly. There was a flicker of somethin

oice lacking the usual edge. "But that doesn't change th

nd. That was exactly how she felt-trapped, bound

ed. "You can walk away. You can leave the inheritance, the compan

ounded so cold, so transactional. How could Nathaniel sit there, so c

already made it clear that you don't need the money. Y

d when he spoke, his voice was low, almost resigned. "Because it's not just about the money. It's about co

to, wasn't it? Control over her life, control over her future. Co

a contract

e quieter now, the weight of the situation pressing

ur separate ways. You'll have everything-control of Drake Enterpr

th Nathaniel, a year of pretending to be married. And at the end of it, she would have everything she need

eption. But all she saw was the same cold calculation that had

't mean he wa

eded to move, to think. She turned away from him, her arms

them, thick and heavy, until f

you should know this-if you walk away, I won't hold back. I'll

it was-the cold, hard truth. Nathaniel wasn't offe

ork together to preser

e would tear

like a vise. Could she really go through with this? Could she ti

have an ans

matter what she chose, noth