Chapter Four

Elysia's POV

'Your betrothed has sent back the merger. It's time for you to sign it so that everything can be finalized, I heard Alex from across the room. All week, I've been trying to avoid this, avoid him but here he was in my living room today- unmoving.

'Read it out loud', if he's going to be in my house, the least he could do is help out in some way. For example, by reading about mergers that I had no interest in. I took a seat by the window as the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the window.

My pulse slammed in my neck as I watched him unfold the thick, cream-colored parchment. The elegant script, written in deep, black ink, seemed almost menacing.

"Clause 1," he read aloud, his voice barely above a whisper, "The bride shall relinquish all personal property and assets to the groom upon signing this contract."

My eyes widened. I paused, glancing towards the door, half-expecting someone to burst in and tell her this was all a joke. But the house remained silent, the only sound the distant chirping of birds and Alex's feet, shuffling.

I took a deep breath as he continued, definitely not ready for the next words that followed. "Clause 2: The bride shall not engage in any form of employment or business without the express permission of the groom."

"This is absurd," I cried, my heart pounding. My fingers tightened around the parchment, crumpling its edges. I could feel the panic rising, threatening to choke me. 'Let me see that', I said, snatching the contract from his hands, my brow furrowed in concern.

My eyes scanned the text. My expression darkened with each clause I read. "Clause 3: The bride is required to bear a minimum of three children within the first five years of marriage. Clause 4: The bride must seek the groom's approval before making any significant personal decisions, including but not limited to travel, social engagements, and medical procedures."

"This is insane," I muttered, shaking my head. "I can't sign this. It's...it's medieval!"

'Is everything ok, Miss Elysia?', Alex asked, a little too calm for my liking, like this was normal.

I straightened my spine, holding the contract up. "Yes, there is. I won't sign this. These clauses are...they're barbaric."

His smirk vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. 'But I thought this had been discussed. You already know the implications that follow your actions if you decide to do otherwise. Consider your options carefully.

My mind immediately went to Andy and my knees turned to water. He'd taught me so much, about music and poetry and literature and art, showed me a world I hadn't known existed, a world he'd always loved but had been denied him most of his life.

The impatient calling of my name snapped me out of my daydreaming, as did those harsh blue eyes glowering at my blurred vision.

'w-what?', I snapped.

'You have to sign the merger Miss Moore. I don't have all day', he stated, impatiently.

I let out a long sigh. 'Give me a minute', I stepped away, walking to a corner of the room to call Andy. He picked up after the second ring.

'Hey babe, was about to call you. I've booked a hotel for lunch, he chirped, as sadness tore at my chest.

'Can you come over to the house babe? I need to talk to you about something, I murmured, my throat thickened with sobs.

'Are you ok babe?', he asked, his voice laced with worry. 

'Yes, yes. Just come over', I ended the call almost immediately. 

The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm light across the room. I sat on the edge of the couch, my heart heavy as I waited for Andy. 

The door creaked open, and Andy stepped in, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. 

"Hey, Elysia," he said with that familiar, easy smile. But as soon as he noticed the somber look on my face, his smile faded. "What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "Andy, we need to talk."

He sat down beside me, concern etched across his features. "What is it?"

My throat tightened, and I struggled to find the words. "Andy, I... I can't see you anymore."

His brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? Why?"

Tears welled up in my eyes. "My grandfather, he's dying... he's arranged a marriage for me. To someone else."

The silence hung heavy between us, the ticking of the clock unbearably loud. Andy's face paled, and he shook his head slowly. "No, Elysia. You can't be serious. We can fight this. We can—"

I cut him off, my voice trembling. "I wish we could, but it's too late. The contract is already drawn up. The merger between our families' businesses depends on this marriage. I promised my grandfather that I was going to do it"

He stood up, pacing the room in agitation. "So, that's it? You're just going to marry some stranger because of a business deal?"

I looked down at my hands, twisting them nervously. "It's more complicated than that. My future... my stability depends on this. Plus, my grandfather is dying. I can't be selfish and disregard his last wish"

Andy knelt in front of me, taking my hands in his. "Elysia, this isn't you. You're not just a pawn in their game. What about us? What about what we have?"

I pulled my hands away, tears streaming down my face. "I love you, Andy. But I have to do this."

He stared at me, the hurt and betrayal clear in his eyes. Andy stood up, his shoulders slumped in defeat. "If this is really what you want..."

I shook my head, my voice barely a whisper. "It's not what I want. It's what I have to do."

He turned away, walking slowly to the door. Just before he left, he looked back at me, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Goodbye, Elysia."

As the door closed behind him, I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. I sat there for a long time, staring at the empty room, feeling the full weight of what I had just done.

Alex walked out of my study minutes later. I didn't even notice when he slipped away. I sat in my dining room, the contract in front of me. My hand trembled as I picked up the pen. 

Each stroke of my signature felt like a betrayal of my own heart. Tears blurred my vision, but I forced myself to keep writing, knowing there was no turning back.

When I finished, I dropped the pen, burying my face in my hands. The sound of my sobs echoed through the silent room. 

'I'm so sorry Miss Elysia', Alex said, picking up the signed contract. I just received news from your grandfather's secretary. He's dead'.