Bound by debt

a fleeting moment, panick surged through me, half expect

him mid-act entangled with a woman on his

another of h

y, with an air of irritation, her arms folded and arms narrowed

ognition

She sneered, her voice dripping with contempt.

tag rea

ter, forcing calm into my voice, "I d

re she could hurl more insults, a c

ri

tanding tall, with a look that could freeze

he ordered, voice br

sir

," Ethan repeated,

a venomous glance, and stomp

her a second glance as

gain," Aria muttered. "Third ti

ly. "Bring the pho

g longer than necessary until Ethan shot he

to his ear and paced t

Ye

but firm voice. "We need to finalize di

e always talking about the da

ed. "If you are not married by then, the company, the a

s breath, pinching th

need hourly reminders abou

r entrusted me with ensuring his wishes were fulfilled. And unless you're

a tuxedo, marry the first woman who smiles at me, and

than. This empire is hanging by a thread and the board is restless, your mother is losing

th, fury simmering be

t. Five months is

like nothing's at stake. Your father didn't just want you

ts. " My father's only goal was

nymore," William said firmly. "One wrong move, and the board will s

ead before Etha

e desk with a scowl, then t

powerful, cold, untouchable. But ben

urface___ the wealth, the status, the p

d what he

em, in exchange for nights of rough, Unf

escape. Commi

here was El

lier, trembling but determined, desperation w

ent __ raw, ho

press. She wasn't there

fered to d

needed som

ed at the thoug

rk curled

his chair, excitement f

ed from his lips

beneath her nerves. Grit behind those eyes. She wasn't polished or primped like others__ but that

liked

y m

crept acro

uld make her a proposition. One that would chan

t just convenient

y enjoy watching her w

__

ilding unaware of the plan already

t made it feel suffocating. My father's debt hovere

st. The burden of my father's debt

ind. The way he touched that woman. The indifference i

ly trust a m

't thi

he luxury of walkin

d around me. Tomorrow I'd return to that office.

new one

ck into Ethan Cal

d be no tu

__