It was dinner time, the kitchen smelled like chicken pot pie and everything I had missed without realizing.
My mom moved between the stove and the table, humming an old tune I barely remembered.The chicken pot sat golden on the counter, steam rising like a welcome home hug.
We all sat at the table: the three of us, preparing to dive in.
I took a bite. "This tastes exactly the same"
"Some things don't change even if you do". My mom teased me with a smile.
"But Mom!!, I haven't changed that much"
I replied to her with a giggle.
My mom's smile softened. "You seem heavier, not in body but in heart.
Yes! She was right after all.
"I'm fine". I murmured.
"You don't have to be". My mom said gently. "Not here".
At the moment, I knew there was something wrong.
"Dad, I think it's time to spill the tea, I want to know the reason you both needed to see me urgently".I asked them.
Dad cleared his throat. I paused my food to listen. Something was coming.
"Lisse, there's something we need to talk about".
"Okay dad, I'm all ears". I said.
My mom reached out, gently placing her hand over mine. "Before you react, Just hear us out".
That never meant anything good.
My dad leaned forward. "Do you remember Knight Walden? My business partner that year. The founder of Hallstones holdings LLC.
His son, Garrett Knight is now the manager of the company". He added.
I'd heard a lot about Hallstones holdings in the past, founded by someone my dad used to know.
Hallstones holdings was a high business empire that dealt with global investments.
They also dealt with high stake corporate partnerships.
"Okay, why are we talking about him? I've only heard of him, never seen him". I asked.
I've never been interested in anything about the company. So why were they telling me all this?
My dad exchanged glances with my mom. "He's made an offer. A proposal".
I laughed out loud, disbelieving. A proposal? What? Like marriage?"
I guess I was right after all.
"Yes". My mom said quietly.
"There's a business plan, this will require marrying Garrett Knight for three years.
It's a partnership offer.
You just have to marry him, just to enable us to get the contract, you are free for a divorce after that". Dad released the bombshell.
The announcement changed my entire mood.
The room fell silent. Just the hum of the fridge and my uneven breath.
My food tasted sour all of a sudden.
I had never met Garrett Knight in my life. I just knew him to be the son of Knight Walden. One of dad's wealthy business partners.
Asking me to marry him for a contract? That's gibberish.
Finally, I whispered. "What happens if I say no".
My dad's eyes darkened. "We lose the business. Everything we've built.
Your mother and I, we'd have to start over.
And frankly, I don't know if we can".
I pushed back from the table. "You're joking".
"It's a contract". My father said, "Three years of arrangement. Not forever. Just for the sake of his company's image and ours".
"Wait". I said sharply. Standing. "You're asking me to fake a marriage for business?".
My mom stood too. Voice gentle. "It's not a fake marriage, sweetheart. It's temporary.
And he's agreed to terms with full support, privacy, even a generous end settlement".
I didn't believe my ears. Someone needed to wake me. It was a nightmare.
I wasn't a princess in a fairytale. I was a daughter, a woman standing between her parents and collapsing .
And somewhere inside me. I knew, if I didn't do this, I'd carry the guilt forever.
But still…. marriage?
I stared between them, a sinking chill crawling into my chest. "So I'm just a pawn.
You'd sell me off like a bargaining chip?"
My father's voice tightened. "It's not like that".
It felt exactly like that for me.
"We are trying to save what's left of this family's legacy", he snapped.
"The business is struggling, Llisse".
This alliance could give us time, investors and breathing room". He added.
I turned to my mom. "And you? You're okay with this?"
My mom hesitated then stepped closer. "I'm okay if it's your choice but I won't lie, I think it would be more than a contract.
Garrett Knight is cold, yes. But he's not cruel. And maybe…. maybe, there's something waiting in this that none of us can see yet".
At this point,my heart was already pounding. I shook my head.
"You're asking me to give up my freedom, to sign a life over to a man I don't even like". I asked.
I had never been this confused about something in my life. But this was my parents' business we were talking about.
I couldn't mess it up for them.
I decided to do it, just for the love I had for them.
Later that night, I just sat in silence. Mourning the decision I had just made.Then my mom walked in.
"You don't have to do this, Lisse. Not if you'll hate yourself for it". She whispered.
I shook my head slowly. "I've decided to do it. For the sake of our business".
My voice was flat, not sure of what I was deciding. But it was my final decision.
She sat beside me brushing a strand of my hair behind my ears like she used to when I was little.
"I know it's not the future you imagine". She said softly.
She was right after all,I never imagined this. It still felt like a dream.
"No", I whispered. "But I can't watch everything you and dad built fall apart. I won't".
"You shouldn't have to fix this for us".
she continued.
"I'm not doing this for business". I said quietly. "I'm doing it for you and dad because I love you.
That's the only thing that makes this bearable". I muttered.
Tears welled in my mom's eyes but she didn't argue.
"You'll be going to sign the contract tomorrow, you will also meet with Garrett Knight when we get there". She informed me.
"Okay Mom, tomorrow then". I answered with a fake smile.
"Goodnight, Lisse". She greeted me. Giving me a goodnight perk. As she closed the door behind her, leaving me to face my new reality.
That was the longest I ever had.
I had made one of the hardest decisions eve
r. It was for my parents so I didn't mind.
I had to set my mind ready to sign the contract and get to meet the "groom to be".
It was a lot…