I DON’T NEED A WIFE

It was late afternoon when Tobias's old friend and special adviser, David Carter, walked into his sleek penthouse office.

David had been with Tobias since the beginning of Hawke Enterprises , offering counsel and a steady hand in making crucial business decisions.

More importantly, David had seen Tobias through the most difficult times of his life .

Tobias was sitting at his desk, scrolling through the latest updates on his real estate projects, when David entered without knocking, as usual. The two had known each other for over a decade, their friendship forged through countless business ventures and personal trials.

"Tobias," David began with a knowing look, "we need to talk."

Tobias didn't look up from his laptop. "We always need to talk, David. Is this about the new project in Monaco?"

David shook his head and pulled up a chair.

"No. It's about you."

He leaned forward, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I know you've been burying yourself in work, and that's fine. I get it. But I've been talking to people , people who care about you and they all think the same thing.

It's time you considered moving on.

You're still young and the only young master of the Scott family.

You have the world at your feet. You could have everything,money, power, legacy and a wife beside you to share it with."

Tobias's fingers froze over the keyboard, and he slowly looked up, his gaze sharp and focused. "I don't need a wife, David. I don't need anyone beside me."

David reclined in his chair, his gaze fixed on Tobias with a quiet intensity. His mind wandered back, tracing the path that had shaped Tobias into the man before him ,each decision, each turning point, now etched in time.

Yet, there was no escaping the troubling sight of Tobias, withdrawing deeper into himself.

On the outside, his business flourished, a testament to relentless drive.

But inside, his world felt hollow, a vast emptiness where connection should have been.

David couldn't shake the belief that love is real, unconditional love was the missing piece, the balm that could heal the wounds untouched by fame or solitude.

"Look, I get that you're not interested in marriage right now,"

David said, carefully choosing his words. "But I'm telling you, you're missing something. A partnership. A family. You've built everything alone, but you can't keep living like this. You deserve someone who can stand beside you, who can make you whole again."

Tobias's expression hardened, his jaw tightening at the mention of "someone." He stood up abruptly, his hand gripping the edge of the desk.

"I don't need to be made whole, David," he snapped.

"I was whole before. I was fine before . And I don't need anyone to fix me. I'm fine. I'm exactly where I need to be."

David watched him closely, sensing the raw emotion underneath Tobias's calm exterior. The bitterness was still there, the hurt that Tobias had buried deep inside.

"Tobias," David said quietly, "you're not fine. You're not whole. Not yet.

You keep pushing people away, hiding behind work, behind all the things you've built. But you're alone. You're isolating yourself, and you're letting the pain from the past keep you from something better."

Tobias's eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly masked it, looking away.

"You don't understand," Tobias said, his voice colder now. "You think I'm supposed to just move on, like it's that easy. You think I can just replace Ann with some other woman and everything will be fine? It doesn't work that way."

David's voice softened. "I'm not asking you to replace Ann. I'm asking you to stop punishing yourself for something that happened over 12 years ago. What you had with her was real. But you can't live in the past forever, Tobias. You can't let her be the reason you never let anyone in again. You're not doing yourself any favors by shutting everyone out."

Tobias turned to face the window, his back to David. He stared out at the sprawling city below, the sun casting long shadows across the skyline.

"I loved her, David," Tobias said quietly, almost to himself. "I loved her more than I ever thought possible. And when we broke up… it destroyed me. I promised myself I'd never let anyone get that close again. I can't go through that kind of loss again. I'm not built for it."

David didn't respond right away, understanding that this was deeper than just a fear of commitment.

This was a man who had been shattered by love, and now he had built an impenetrable fortress around his heart.

"You don't have to love anyone to have a partner, Tobias," David said gently. "But you do need someone who believes in you, who can make you want to be better, not just for yourself, but for both of you.

You've proven you can stand alone. Now, maybe it's time to prove that you can stand with someone else."

Tobias let out a bitter laugh. "I don't need anyone else. I'm fine on my own. I don't want to be a part of that world anymore, the world where people expect you to marry, have kids, and live happily ever after. That's a fantasy, David. It's not real."

David stood up, walking over to Tobias, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"It's real if you make it real. But you have to be willing to take a chance. You can't keep letting fear dictate your choices. And I'm not talking about rushing into anything. I'm talking about being open to the possibility. You don't have to marry the first woman who shows interest. But you can't close yourself off entirely, either."

Tobias shook his head, his resolve unyielding. "I won't do it. I don't need a wife. I don't need anyone."

David sighed, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "I can't force you, Tobias. But I'm telling you this because I care about you. I've watched you become someone I don't even recognize anymore. You're not the man I used to know. You're trapped in your own past, and it's keeping you from living."

Tobias stood in silence, his back still to David, staring out at the vast city before him. His thoughts swirled around Ann, the life he once had, and the life he had now. David's words stung, but Tobias couldn't bring himself to open up. Not yet.

"I don't need anyone," Tobias repeated firmly, his voice cold and distant.

David gave him a long look, but then he turned and walked out of the room, knowing that Tobias wasn't ready to listen. Not yet.

And so, Tobias remained in his fortress, his heart locked away, unwilling to face the truth that maybe, just maybe, he was still running from the one thing that could heal him .

***** 

A\N: Hi. This is my first book and i need reviews to grow. Please, drop some! And also add to your library if you like this book. Thank you.

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