The Billionaire's Contracted Heart

ce. The room was quiet, except for the hum of the lights. She stared at her

," Ethan Black

d in her mind lik

ompany. His grandfather's business was fading fast. He needed to act quickly to prevent total loss. M

love, respect, and trust. She wanted a true part

he marr

e bank was threatening to take everything. Claire could see the toll it was taking on her father. Once strong, now he seemed broken. Margaret, her

needed her. Bu

hard she worked, nothing changed. The debts

t was stability. Marrying him would fix her family's money problems. Mar

ould it co

idn't care about her. He saw her as a way to solve his pro

red. She spent the morning thinking it over. Her father'

even though it felt wrong. She could picture her family-her father, proud b

looked at the screen and saw a messa

an. They might take the business soon. Pl

ymore. It felt like the end. If they lost the business, everything w

I'm doing everything I can,

ing for months and nothing worked. Now, Et

. Could I give up everything I

unk in, Claire knew she didn't have much choice. Mar

ring her own words. They felt unreal, and n

ity skyline glittered as the sun set, painting the sky in shades o

ted. Margaret still looked up to Claire for guidance. How could Claire let

r life be like if she married Ethan? A loveless marriage, built on busines

standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down into uncertainty. W

as running out. Ethan's offer was on the tabl

her thoughts. She turned to see he

?" Lily asked softly

felt like a lie. "Ye

ly. "You're not okay, Cl

could she put her worries into wo

rmly, yet gently. "There's always another w

My family is drowning. If I don't do this, everything will fall apar

"And what about your future? You can't give up every

t for me anymore, Lily. I just know my family needs me

"I understand you want to protect them. But remember

ot sure who I am anymore. Everything feels like it's slipping away. I'

ne, Claire. You have people who care about you. Yo

ath. "What if I don't take this chance and

sh into a decision you might regret just because i

felt overwhelming. She needed to act. It was he

vier. She thought she had made up her mind, but the uncertainty gnawed