SOLD TO THE BILLIONAIRE

down,

feet are immobile. His tone causes my stomach to twist and churn. With a gentle click tha

rying to wake up from an unending nightmare. His normally tidy clothing is a little rumpled, and his fa

Sit," in a softer b

faint ticking of a clock in the corner. My father's eyes don't look as they usually do when he looks at me. T

Tell me, Dad, please

n front of him, which are strewn all over his desk like fragments of a broken puzzle. H

lines and numbers that I don't comprehend. But i

." Everything is gone. He seems to be seeking strength before continuing, as he leans back in his chair and

and my throat tightens. I want to scream, but

udible whisper, in the hopes that he will laugh and tell me it'

." However, we have no other choices. Lyra, I've tried

s, I can tell by the icy fear that

I mumble, nearly terr

he looks at me. "You mu

, finding it difficult to process what he just stated. "What?"

hat seem too fantastical to be real. The man's name is all over, but it's always

oice, "Lyra, this is not a request."

to maintain a steady voice. Bu

ith a single signature." He is wealthy, powerful, and well-connected. Ever

hey don't make sense at all. It's not a fairy tale here. This isn't some idealized notion of a

don't even know him." "Aside from what pe

, you don't have to know him. All you have to do is

I can do. I can't get married to a stranger. Dad, it's not jus

loses it. Would you like to see me and your

" I mumble, my eyes burning. That is not w

g and telling him that this is too much. However, his words weigh heavi

have no idea how much is at stake here. This can only be fixed by you. Everything we've

He is afraid. But I'm also afraid. I was afraid of dying and of w

y lips as I mutter, "I...

e says. "Lyra, this is it. Th

is putting on me and the weight of his expectations. The duty to protect our family.

know it's hard." However, there is no other

feet. With my voice breaking, I m

see my mom when a man enters the room. Broad-shouldered and tall, with dark,

gton S

stands there. He never takes his e

alk, Lyra," he adds i