hands trembled as I set it down on the kitchen table, my mind reeling from their unexpecte

over a tea bag, watching as the dark liquid swirled in my mug. The familiar a

per, outdated appliances, and a stack of unpaid bills on the counter – all p

raightened my shirt before opening the door. There they stood, Eleanor and

id, her voice cool and de

ide. "Of course. Woul

a social call, Sarah. We have a ma

on the edge of the sofa, looking out of place among my shabby fur

harp and calculating. "We're aware

rn with shame. "I'm

Mark left behind are substantial.

me?" I asked, indignat

's reputation at stake. We can't have you declaring b

ed of Mark marrying "beneath" him, and c

d said, leaning forward. "On

, suspicious. "What

hat didn't reach her eyes. "Marriage

as sure I'd mishe

Lachlan Reid," Richard stated, as

ed across business magazines and tabloids alike. Known for his cutthroat busine

, right?" I lau

Lachlan is a longtime associate of our family. He's agreed to thi

"My future? You mean, you're sel

beneficial arrangement. Lachlan needs a wife for... business r

rfect? It's insane! I don't even know this

right now, Sarah. Be practical. This marriage will give you

rowning in debt, barely keeping my head above water.

time to think

cket. "You have until tomorrow even

ked in their wake. I sank back onto the couch, my

dreamed of a love match, of building a life with someone who truly cared for m

as barely making ends meet, and the debt collectors were becomin

ing through the motions of my part-time job at the loc

ked during our lunch break. "

ust tired. Didn't sl

How could I explain that I was considering an a

art of my brain argued that this could be my only way out of financial r

my living room, I realized I needed a sign

dance. As I rifled through the envelopes, my heart sank. Bill after

my blood run cold. It was from the bank, informing me that f

is was it – the final nail in the coffin of my independent life. With

eached for my phone. With shaking

on the first ring, as if sh

eling myself for the word

hispered. "I'll m

vident in her tone. "Excellent decision, Sarah. We'll make the arran

calm settled over me. I'd made

ed the sound. A soft thud, followed by the

ized with growing horror