" Marry you?" I repeated, unsure of what I had heard.
Elijah Sterling didn't smile.
There was a terrifying clarity in his gaze.
Then I knew I heard right.
He meant it.
" You need your reputation restored" he said calmly.
" And i need an heir"
An heir.
Not a child.
What he needed was the next Elijah Sterling.
" You could marry anyone else" I replied " Any woman in Sun City would gladly give you one, why me?"
" Why get involve in scandal?"
" My reason, " his said smoothly, " Is not public property".
His tone wasn't loud.
It was decisive.
" If I am to carry your child, I deserve to know why" I argued.
"You'll get your name back" he responded "I'll get loyalty"
" I am not a business acquisition"
" No" he agreed softly" You're leverage"
I should have felt insulted
But it only steadied me
" Nine months" he added " After that, you're free to go"
Free.
Was this a business transaction?
" And if I refuse?" I asked
He held my gaze.
His eyes sharpened
" Then tomorrow's headline will bury you"
My jaw tightened " Is that a threat?"
A grin escaped his lips.
" Elijah Sterling doesn't threaten" he said calmly " He promises"
He wasn't cocky
He was confident
I knew he wasn't bluffing
He wasn't the type to
I turned to see the faces lifted to us.
I should have stopped
Walked away and forgotten about this conversation.
But I stayed.
Something in me was already drawn to this conversation.
His eyes turned to his phone.
He wasn't looking at me now.
He leaned back like a man who was negotiating a business merger and not bringing life into this world.
The music outside felt like it was miles away.
This wasn't temporary
This wasn't romance
This wasn't a happy ever after.
It was strategy.
But was I ready?
Motherhood wasn't a joke
Would I be giving up my dreams?
Would I be another Elsa Stone?
Before I could respond, my phone vibrated on top of the glass table
Nia
Eliza, grandma just found out about my engagement to Demian. And Demian is willing to give you back your house if you obey the family. Come to the family house tomorrow 1pm..
I sigh
When were you all in a position to give me anything?
The noise outside the booth caught my attention. It was Julie and the attendant arguing.
" Excuse me"
I stood up and left .
He didn't lift his head
He didn't plan on stopping me.
Like he knew I'd be back
" Eliza, Is everything okay?"
" Let's go" Julie pulled me away " what were you doing there?"
" Negotiating" I answered
"What did the director say?"
She shook her head.
Head facing down In disappointment.
" Of course" I smiled " I'll handle it "
"How?"
A notification chimed in. Julie swiped the notification on her phone.
Julie, tell Eliza her marriage has been fixed to Master Crawfall. She should come back home now.
Father Stone
Julie's expression darkened. Her hands balled into a fist.
" How dare he?" Julie spat
" What's wrong?" I asked
" Eliza , your father wants you to marry master Crawfall"
" What kind of father trades his own daughter for status?" Julie spat
What Julie would never understand how the Stone family dynamics worked.
George Stone keeps what he cherished.
And disposed of what he doesn't value.
I was sixteen.
No one came for me. Not even once.
" Father, stop you're hurting me"
My hair was violently wrapped around his hand, pulling me down the stairs.
" You're just like your pathetic mother"
He shoved me inside the storage room "You'll stay there till you mend your ways"
Just like that, the door was shut.
And I was enveloped in darkness.
" Father, please open the door"
I banged the door repeatedly.
Calling for help from him, from anyone.
" I didn't do anything, father"
I stopped banging the door.
My tears slowed.
My voice shook under sobs.
No one came
No one ever did.
" I'm scared of the dark" I whispered before drifting off.
Julie pulled my arm " Eliza "
I could see the confusion on her face, mixed with worry.
I straightened instantly
" If they think they can step all over me again, then they have forgotten who I am"
" I am Eliza Stone" I said quietly " I don't stay under for too long"
My gaze shifted to the VIP booth.
I stood up " wait for me here Julie"
" Eliza, were are you going?" Julie called,her voice soft and warm
" To win"
I took gentle strides towards the booth.
An attendant stood at the entrance.
" You can't go in"
He put his hand across the entrance
Elijah Sterling didn't look
With a simply waved his hand and he was dismissed.
His eyes still locked on his phone.
" I'll accept" I said
His slowly lifted his head
" But you will not dictate the terms alone"
" Speak"
" I will get a year" I paused " To take back what was once mine"
He held my gaze
Steady
Firm as though analyzing something.
" And ?" his voice was calm yet intense
" I will not be hidden," I continued " My child will not be taken from me,not ever"
He smirked.
It wasn't approval.
It was calculation.
Elsa Stone may have left me but I will not leave my child.
" Deal" he said at last
This wasn't how alliances were formed. But it's certainly how battles were won.
Devoid of emotions.
With rationality and strategic planning .
He slids a folder across the table.
" What's this?" I asked
" A contract" His expression remained steady " You were always going to yes"
I picked up the folder , glanced through the title.
I paused for a minute.
"Second thoughts"
A soft grin left his lips
" No"
I signed . This contract was sealed.
There was no going back
Not anymore .
" Markets are volatile tonight"
" What?" I asked
He reached for his phone.
" Release the statement"
My breath stalled
" What statement?"
My phone vibrated violently in my hand
Notifications exploding
My eyes widened in shock
He didn't need to answer,
Not anymore
Breaking News: Sterling Group acquires 62% of Legaspi Corps shares.