The Vow Of Forever

Ivy Morgan sat at the head of the enormous dining table and carefully touched her glass's edge. The only sound in the strangely quiet room was the ticking of the wall clock. Her father, Edward Morgan, had brought the family together for a special dinner to discuss the rising tensions surrounding their business. Ivy could feel her father's eyes on the perfectly placed dishes in front of him. The tension in the air was apparent, full of unspoken words and unresolved matter

"Ivy," Edward whispered at last, ending the silence. "Come here."

Ivy's heart skipped a beat as she got up, and her legs seemed heavier than normal. She knew what was coming. Her father had a way of making every situation feel like a watershed point in the history of their kingdom. He was a skilled manipulator, constantly thinking ahead and calculating.

"I've arranged something... something that will ensure the future of the company." His voice was steady, but Ivy could hear the underlying urgency. "You're going to marry Gabriel Steele."

The words impacted her like a blow to the gut.

"What?" Ivy asked, just above a whisper.

Her father's stare glance was steady. "Gabriel Steele. The head of Steele Industries. The marriage will settle the ongoing conflict between the Morgans and the Steeles. It's the only way."

Ivy's mind raced. Gabriel Steele. The mere mention of the name sent shivers down her spine. Naturally, she had heard of him. A vicious businessman who showed no mercy to anyone who stood in his way. The very concept of marrying him, of becoming entangled in his world, made her nauseated.

"You can't take this seriously." Ivy's voice was sharp now, though her hands were trembling slightly. "You want me to marry him? Just like that?"

Edward's eyes narrowed. "Do you have a better solution, Ivy? The Morgan company is crumbling. This marriage is the only way to save it."

Ivy's throat clenched. She had lived her entire life under the overwhelming weight of her father's demands and manipulations. But this-this was too much. Gabriel Steele wasn't just another businessman. He was the enemy. And yet, her father was willing to sell her off like a pawn to end a feud she hadn't even started.

"Father, this is insane. I won't do it."

Edward's expression hardened. "You will do it. It's the only option we have left. If you refuse, the company will fall. And don't forget-your mother's legacy is on the line too. You want to let her work go to waste?"

Ivy froze. Her mother's name was always a tender subject. A shadow that loomed over everything Ivy did She had died many years before, yet her absence was still felt strongly. Ivy had always felt that she had to live up to her mother's memory and honor the decisions she had made. And now, her father was using that against her.

In the resulting silence, Ivy's mind raced with options, and the clock ticked louder. Her father's comments crushed her. Marrying Gabriel Steele was a nightmare, but the alternative-a life of financial catastrophe-was more terrible.

"What's do I get in this?" Ivy inquired, her voice a little louder even now, but the tremor hung beneath the surface.

Edward leaned forward; his gaze sharp. "You will marry one of the most influential men in the country. Your commitment to the family will be solidified, and you will help guarantee the Morgans' future."

Ivy swallowed hard. The thought of being tied to Gabriel Steele-of becoming his wife-was almost too much to bear. But what were her options?

"I need time to think," she eventually stated, her voice quiet but firm.

Edward twisted his lips into a smile, but it wasn't pleasant. "There's no time, Ivy. The deal is already in motion. You'll meet him tomorrow. We don't have the luxury of waiting."

Ivy's thoughts were in a whirl as she nodded systematically. Her father's comments resounded in her ears, and for the first time in her life, she wondered whether there was any escape. But she knew there wasn't. The Morgans had been at odds with the Steeles for as long as she could remember, and now her father was presenting her as the ultimate peace offering.

The following evening, Ivy found herself at one of Washington, D.C.'s most luxurious hotels. Her father requested she wear her finest, so Ivy grudgingly picked a deep green dress that she knew would draw Gabriel's attention. The notion of meeting him in person made her stomach spin, but she attempted to ignore her fears.

Her heart struck as she entered the suite where the meeting was scheduled to take place. The room was huge, with neat and tidy contemporary furnishings that reflected the occupant's wealth and status. Gabriel Steele stood at the very edge of the room, near the floor-to-ceiling windows.

He was everything the rumors had promised. Tall, stunning, with black hair and an explosive jaw. His attire was outstanding, and his presence could be noticed from across the room. Ivy felt a quick surge of heat fill her chest, but she pushed herself to stay calm.

"Mr. Steele," Ivy responded, her voice firm despite the anxious twitch in her stomach. She extended her hand, though the gesture felt strangely formal.

Gabriel turned slowly, his gaze locking with hers. His eyes were cold, calculating, but there was something else there-something that made Ivy feel as though he were measuring her every move.

"Miss Morgan," he said, his voice deep and smooth. He didn't take her hand. Instead, he studied her with a look that made Ivy feel exposed, as though he could see straight through her.

"Shall we sit?" he asked, his tone surprisingly polite, though his eyes remained icy.

Ivy nodded and sat across from him. The quiet between them was oppressive, laden with the weight of years of animosity between their families.

"So," Gabriel said while seated back in his chair. "We've been urged to join forces. Your father and mine seem to think that this marriage will end the long-standing feud between our families. What do you think, Miss Morgan?"

Ivy gulped, her heart racing "I think it's a dreadful idea," she stated clearly, without trying to downplay her points of view. "I don't want to get married to you. And I am confident the sentiment is mutual."

Gabriel's lips curled into a half-smile, but it did not reach his eyes. "You have no choice, right? Your father has already made arrangements. This marriage will take place, whether you want it or not.

Ivy tightened her hands at her sides. The arrogance of this man-this stranger who was already determining the direction of her life-enraged her.

"You think you're going to control me just because of some business deal?" Ivy shot back, her voice rising. "Well, think again."

Gabriel leaned forward; his gaze sharp. "You think this is a choice, Ivy? This is survival. You wish to preserve your father's empire intact? don't you?"

Her breath clenched at the idea of her family's failing company. She hated that he was right, that the future of the Morgan name depended on this union. However, it did not make her any less upset.

"And what if I don't go through with it?" she said, her voice quivering slightly, though she tried to hide it.

Gabriel's gaze tightened. "Then you'll lose everything. And so will your father."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence, heavy and final.

Ivy met his gaze, her mind racing. She could feel the tug of power and responsibility-her loyalty to her family, the business that had been built over generations. But she also felt something else, something darker, more dangerous. Their tension was intense and obvious. Ivy didn't know if it was hatred or affection, but it made her heart pound.

Gabriel remained silent for a moment with his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made Ivy uneasy.

"Tomorrow," he remarked abruptly, breaking the silence. "We sign the papers. No backing out."

And that's how the conversation ended.

As Ivy exited the suite, she couldn't ignore the sense that something was really wrong. The arrangement was already in motion, and there was no turning back.

As Ivy stepped out of the hotel, her phone popped up with a text message from her father: "Don't forget-this is the only way. The agreement will be formalized tomorrow. Do your duty."

Ivy's fingers trembled as she read the message. Something about this entire arrangement didn't sit right. She needed to know more. But she also had to face Gabriel Steele again tomorrow. And that thought alone made her wonder if she was already in over her head.