heart pounded in my ears as I watched him sit there, so calm, so confident, as if he had every right to be in

, my voice thick with fury. "Who gave y

ile that sent a chill dow

'm engaged. And besides, you're old enough to be my grandfather. I can't- will not-have anything to do with you." My voice crac

ver I want, however I want it. Forget all that. Focus on what matters-my proposal. I want you.

on't care about your proposal. Please-stay away from me. I love

eady to flee, but his

ou'll have with me. Think about it," he continued, his tone cold and calcu

ten what you wanted, you can be sure of this: you'll lose this time. Stay away from me," I hissed through

lay in bed one quiet morning, the ringing of my phone cut through the stil

. There's an emer

I scrambled out of bed, rushing through my m

m, her face strained and pale. I barely had time to process

" My voice was frantic, a sense

ast as if steeling herself. "Celi

ted in knots as I wait

re," she said, her

ve of heat washing over me. My chest

h an unsettling seriousness. "He told you about it, and you turned him down. W

y voice steady. "You're kidding, right?" My words ca

's the CEO of Dickson Limited-a multi-million dollar

you want me to be with a man old enough to be my father? His son could be older th

matter. All you need to care about is his wealth." She leaned forward, her voice l

sorb the words. My mother's voice, the coldness in h

e loves me," I whispered, feeling the tears sting at the corners

Dickson can. He can't even take care of you properly. But Dickson? He's offerin

t I was hearing. "But I don't love him

wife. And if you don't, Celine..." Her voice dropped to a dangerous whis

t of her betrayal pressing down on me. I couldn't believe my m

stop them. My heart shattered with every word. I felt like I was drowning in it

. "You don't understand anything about this man. You onl

ed. "Because you owe me. I've sacrificed everyt

ling. I couldn't breathe. The tears wouldn't stop, th

had just engulfed me. My heart ached, my soul bruised. And s

felt for Daniel and the crushing weight of the choices my mother was making for me. I cried, unable to stop,

one? Would I lose e

t know.

find out s