More Insistent

"Come on, Thaddeus! You can't ignore me forever!"

The familiar voice rang through the empty hall, echoing off the marble floors.

Thaddeus gritted his teeth and quickened his steps. As he made his way down the hall, the voice grew louder, more insistent.

"You've been avoiding me for days. Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"

He didn't slow his pace.

"We need to talk, son. We can't keep putting this off."

His father's voice was growing louder, more demanding, and he was running out of places to hide.

Thaddeus let out a sharp exhale, his steps faltering as his father's voice cut through the air once more.

"Thaddeus!"

He clenched his jaw, knowing he couldn't avoid this any longer.

With a sigh, he turned on his heel, facing the inevitable. His father, Matthias Gillcrest, stood at the end of the hall, arms crossed, eyes sharp with expectation.

"Come to my study. Now."

Thaddeus's shoulders tensed, but he obeyed, following his father into the room as the door clicked shut behind them.

"There you are."

He looked up, his gaze meeting his father's.

"Sorry, Dad," he said, forcing a casual smile. "I was busy. You know how it is."

"Of course." His father's expression didn't change. He crossed his arms, leaning back against the desk. "That's why I asked you here."

"Oh? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to discuss some things with you."

"Like what?"

"Like your marriage."

Matthias's gaze sharpened, his fingers drumming against the polished wood of the desk.

"You're not getting any younger, Thaddeus. You're pushing forty, and still, there's no wife, no family. It's time."

Thaddeus fought the urge to roll his eyes. Here we go again. His father had been trying to push him into a marriage for years now, but Thaddeus had never been interested. Not because he didn't want a family. He did. He just didn't want one forced on him.

"Dad, I'm fine. Really. There's no need to rush this. I can take care of myself."

"It's not about taking care of yourself," Matthias countered sternly.

"I run a multi-billion-dollar empire, Dad," he said, keeping his tone even. "That keeps me busy enough."

Matthias scoffed. "And yet, every successful man understands the importance of a stable household. Marriage isn't just about settling down—it's about legacy. Your mother and I had high hopes that by now, you'd have a family of your own."

Thaddeus exhaled slowly, already knowing where this conversation was heading. His father had been pushing the idea of marriage for years, but this time, there was an edge of finality to it.

"I've given you enough time to figure things out on your own," his father continued, his voice firm. "If you don't have someone in mind, I can arrange it for you."

Thaddeus groaned inwardly, dragging a hand down his face. He knew this was coming—he just didn't expect it to happen so soon. Or with this much certainty in his father's tone.

"I don't need an arranged marriage, Dad. I'm capable of finding my own wife. Besides, I'm too busy running the company. I don't have time for that."

"Nonsense." His father waved off the argument. "If you have the time to go out drinking and partying every night, then you have time to get married. And with a suitable woman, I might add."

"Dad," he said, exasperation dripping from his voice. "Come on. You're acting like I need to be married tomorrow."

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

Thaddeus let out a frustrated sigh. "You can't just decide these things for me."

His father's stare was unwavering, calm but firm—too firm for Thaddeus' liking. "I'm not deciding for you. I'm merely ensuring that you don't keep dragging your feet. I've given you options before. You refused. This time, you don't get to refuse."

Thaddeus' stomach twisted at those words. The way his father spoke sent a clear message—this wasn't a suggestion anymore. His father had already made up his mind, and that was what irritated him the most.

He pushed off the chair, pacing. "I knew you were planning something. And I'm telling you now, I don't need you arranging my life. I have things under control."

His father chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Is that so? Then why are you still unmarried? Why haven't you taken this seriously?"

Thaddeus clenched his jaw. He had taken it seriously—just not in the way his father expected. Because if he knew Thaddeus had already signed a marriage contract with a complete stranger, this conversation would be taking a much different turn.

He barely had time to school his expression before his father dropped the bombshell.

"I've already spoken to Cynthia's parents," Matthias said smoothly, watching his son's reaction. "She's still available, and she'd make a fine wife. You two have known each other since childhood—it's the perfect match."

Thaddeus groaned, rubbing his temples. Of course, it's Cynthia.

"Dad, no," he said, already exhausted. "We've been over this. Cynthia and I were kids. That was a long time ago."

Matthias didn't budge. "She still cares about you. And she comes from a respectable family. The two of you would be a power couple—exactly what you need."

Thaddeus let out a dry laugh. "Oh, is that what I need? Because last I checked, I'm a grown man who can decide that for himself."

His father's gaze sharpened. "Then why haven't you?"

Thaddeus gritted his teeth. His father wasn't going to let this go. Matthias Gillcrest always got what he wanted, and right now, what he wanted was his son married to Cynthia Rodgers.

Too bad Thaddeus already had a wife.

A strange sort of amusement curled in his chest, and he had to fight the urge to smile. It was an interesting game, indeed. He just hoped Sabrina would be ready to play.

"Thaddeus?" his father asked, breaking the silence.

He looked up, meeting his father's gaze.

"Why won't you consider Cynthia as a wife?" Matthias pressed.

"Because I already have a wife," Thaddeus blurted.

Silence.

His father stared at him, eyes widening in disbelief.

"You did what?"

Thaddeus let out a sharp, dry laugh. "It's the truth. You're looking at the newest Mr. Gillcrest."

"When did this happen? Who is she?"

"A few days ago. And before you ask, it's a private arrangement. Just between me and her."

"I don't understand," his father said, shaking his head. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"Because I knew you'd react like this."

"React like what? A father concerned for his son's well-being? Because if you were so eager to marry, I could have found a suitable bride for you."

"I didn't need you to find me a wife. I found one myself."

"Without telling anyone?" His father shook his head. "That's hardly a good sign. Does she have a name?"

"Sabrina Dinsmore."

"Dinsmore?"

Thaddeus nodded, noting the slight narrowing of his father's eyes.

"Dinsmore," Matthias repeated, his expression unreadable. 

"Yes," Thaddeus confirmed, crossing his arms. Of course, his father had never heard that surname before—why would he? Sabrina came from a low-class family, far removed from the circles of wealth and power that the Gillcrests associated with.

Matthias took a moment to process the information, and Thaddeus couldn't help but wonder how he would respond. He could see the gears turning in his father's mind, the wheels slowly clicking into place.

"So that's why," his father finally said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "You married her to avoid having Cynthia Rodgers as your wife."

"Not quite," Thaddeus said, his expression unreadable.

"Then why?" his father pressed.

Thaddeus hesitated. If he told his father the truth, it would be a disaster. His father would try to talk him out of it.