le

as I climbed the stairs to my room. After a long bath, I finally felt a little relief from

aring noodles. I couldn't help but wonder what her new motive was thi

to eat in peace. No one had ever cared about me her

. a knock

pmother standing there. My heart skipped. What brought the

first, his voice

we need

ny has been loosing it's shares lately and as a result we need a higher company to join forces with " so what did that got to do with me? I asked.uhm dear he continued " we submitted a marriage proposal to t

my head. Tears pricked my eyes. "I th

he company is losing everything. Alexander's marriage proposal is th

he weight of his

to this family," she said coldly. "All you can do is... this much. If you

but Vivian's words were final. They

streamed down my face as I asked myself question after q

ssibility of affording an apartment on my own. The harsh t

, her smirk faint but unmistakable. She had seen everything. I knew she was

te was sealed. Without even knowing i

or, my chest felt tight, like

ling myself.

someone who would listen withou

ar

vision was blurry from tears as I dialed her nu

e through, warm and fa

l it took.

as tears poured freely. "I d

r because the company was falling apart. I told her how I refused at first, how I asked why it had to be me and

"My job can't even pay for an apartment.

d for a moment, then Clara spoke

o sorry. You don't

I don't know this man. I don't know

me. "Stronger than you think. And whatever happen

he pain, but they made i

eiling, my heart heavy. One thing was cl

s man

of the mirror, a satisfied

," she said smug

elegance. "Of course she did," she replied calmly. "Where

you see her face? She l

with triumph. "Good. P

Blackwood on the screen. "Imagine... all that wealth, all that

Skyle will go in your place, suffer through that marriage,

And if Alexand

orld, you are the only Hale daughter. By the time

"Perfect. Let her marry the rumored ga

. "She was born to sac

der Bl

my phone down slowly, m

ye

last. One year of convenience, st

ike trophies I had already won. The Hale family thought this alliance would

't about love

verything I needed to know. Women like her always wanted something

ked fa

cause being Mrs. Alexander Blackwood

added. No emotions. No interference in my work. No expectations beyond what wa

ered. "Then we go

r she was, whatever she expected from thi

a man to