The night Alex Grant came to propose, Clara stood silently beside her father's desk, barely moving. She watched her father's hands, once strong enough to lift her onto his shoulders as a child, now trembling slightly as he poured Alex a drink. It hurt to see him like this, offering kindness to the man who might become her husband.
"Mr. Harper," Alex said, his voice calm and polished as he took the glass with a smooth smile. "I won't waste your time. I'm here to formally ask for Clara's hand in marriage."
Clara could feel her father's gaze flicker to her face, searching for any hint of protest. When she remained silent, staring at the family portrait behind his desk where her mother's smiling face stared back eternally, she heard him exhale slowly, the sound carrying the weight of a man already carrying too much.
"Clara, my dear..." Her father reached for her hand, and she noticed how papery his skin had become, how prominent the veins stood out against the pallor, yet his grip was still warm. "Do you want this?"
The question hung between them, thick with everything left unsaid. Do you love him? Are you happy? Will you be safe? She could see the fear in his eyes, the terror of a father who knew his time was running out and was desperate to leave his most precious treasure in trustworthy hands.
"It's a good match, Father," she said carefully. "The merger would secure Harper Group's future. And the board has been pushing for stronger alliances."
Her father's grip tightened slightly. "That's not what I asked."
Alex smoothly interjected, leaning forward with practiced concern. "With all due respect, sir, Clara and I have developed an understanding." His voice filled with confidence. "I can give her the life she deserves, protection, stability."
"You'll care for her?" His voice was rough with emotion, the words nearly cracking. "Not just as a business asset, but as my daughter? You'll cherish her? Protect her happiness?" Alex placed a well-manicured hand over his heart, his face the picture of solemn sincerity. "I swear it."
Clara's father, desperate for reassurance, for any promise that his beloved child would be safe after he was gone, nodded slowly as he swallowed hard. "Then you have my blessing." He turned to Clara, and she saw the tears glistening in his eyes, magnified by the lamplight. "My little star..." The childhood nickname, one she hadn't heard in years, nearly broke her. "If this is truly what you want, I won't stand in your way."
Her father leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and she could feel his breath shudder against her skin. "Then be happy, my love." His voice was barely audible. "That's all I've ever wanted for you."Clara blinked back tears.
*****
At the Rosewood Café, across the table, Emily sat frozen, her caramel macchiato untouched as the foam melted away. She set her spoon down with a sharp clink, eyes wide in shock.
"You did what?" Emily's voice cut through the quiet café, drawing a few glances from nearby tables.
Clara didn't meet her gaze. She traced the rim of her cup with her thumb, focusing on the soft floral design. "I turned down the arranged marriage with Liam," she said quietly. "And I agreed to marry Alex."
For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Emily's lips parted, then closed again, her manicured fingers tightening around her napkin. When she finally spoke, her voice was low, disbelieving. "Clara Harper, have you lost your mind?" She leaned forward, her curls tumbling over her shoulder as she braced her elbows on the table.
"Liam Reynolds is literally the man you've been in love with since we were ten years old. And you rejected him?"
Clara's chest tightened. She could still picture the way Liam had watched her that night. But she also remembered his confession she'd overheard a year ago, the one that had kept in her ever since.
"It's not that simple," she murmured, finally meeting Emily's gaze.
Emily exhaled sharply, throwing her hands up in exasperation. A nearby waiter startled, nearly dropping his tray of desserts. "Then explain it to me," she demanded, "because I'm not seeing the complication here! Liam is perfect. He's kind, he's successful, he's—"
"He's in love with someone else." The words slipped out before Clara could stop them, soft but final, like the closing of a door.
Emily froze. The anger drained from her face, replaced by stunned silence. "What?"
Clara swallowed hard, the memory surfacing like a ghost. "I overheard him once. During Year one in college." She could still see the scene clearly, the way Liam had leaned against the library shelves, his voice quiet but firm as he turned down a girl's confession. "I already have someone I like." The words had struck Clara like a physical blow, even though she'd known, deep down, that someone like Liam could never feel the same way about her.
"I won't marry a man who's in love with another woman, especially for Liam," Clara said, her voice steadier now. "Not even as an arrangement. He deserves to be with someone he truly loves."
Emily's expression softened, but her disbelief remained. She reached across the table, her fingers brushing Clara's wrist. "And Alex?" she asked quietly. "You're just going to marry him instead?"
Clara hesitated. Alex Grant was handsome, polished, the heir to a fortune that rivaled her family's. He had never looked at her with pity or obligation—only quiet, respectful interest. "Alex is… a good choice," she said finally. "He's stable. Respectful."
Emily groaned, dragging her hands through her hair. "Clara, you're not a business deal," she said, her voice thick with frustration. "You can't just pick the safe option when Liam is—"
"When Liam is what?" Clara's voice cracked, the facade of calm finally breaking. "When he's everything I've ever wanted but can't have?" She bit her lip, forcing the next words out. "I know what I'm doing, Em. This is the right choice."
Emily studied her for a long moment, her dark eyes searching Clara's face. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "I just don't want you to regret this." Clara forced a smile, though it felt brittle on her lips. "It's fine. Now I just don't want my father to worry about me and accept treatment as soon as possible."
*****
A few weeks later, morning sunlight filled the Reynolds estate, glowing across the dining table where Liam sat frozen, staring at the newspaper. The bold headline announced: Clara Harper, daughter of Robert Harper of Harper Resorts, is engaged to Alex Grant, heir to Grant Holdings. The wedding is set for June.
Liam stared at the words, everything else fading around him. A strange emptiness settled in his chest. He hadn't noticed how tightly he was gripping the edges of the paper until they crinkled under his fingers. But the printed announcement left no room for doubt. Ink didn't lie. Wedding dates were final.
Across the table, his mother glanced at the article, letting out a quiet sigh. "What a shame," she said gently. "Clara would've made a lovely daughter-in-law. So well-mannered. So sincere."
Mr. Reynolds, half-focused on the stock ticker as he sipped his coffee, gave a low grunt. "Grant's fine, but the Harpers and Reynolds together would've made more sense. Still, something like marriage cannot be forced."
Liam stayed silent as he folded the newspaper slowly. He told himself he should be happy for her as Alex was a good match. The thought of her standing at an altar, eyes filled with promises meant for someone else, made something ache deep inside him. She made her choice, he reminded himself. She deserves to be happy. But no matter how often he told himself that, the heaviness in his chest didn't go away.