Wait Until 23

Warren's expression hardened slightly. He studied her carefully, his sharp eyes narrowing in thought. "His father didn't mention anything about his son being in a relationship when we discussed this arrangement." He said slowly, skepticism evident in his voice. "I don't understand."

Khalia's heart pounded in her chest.

"Grandfather, I know he is." She insisted, leaning forward slightly. "I've seen him, and I know he's in love. Please don't force me to destroy someone else's happiness."

The moment those words left her lips, Ruben's voice cut through the air like a whip.

"This has nothing to do with happiness!" He roared from across the table, his face dark with frustration.

Khalia flinched at the sheer force of his anger.

"You have to marry in order to inherit NOELLE." Ruben continued, his voice laced with cold finality. "And you will marry who your grandfather chooses."

Khalia's breath caught in her throat as she turned to stare at her father in pure disbelief.

"Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?" She thought, studying his rigid posture, the greed flickering behind his otherwise composed expression. "Why are you so invested in me marrying and inheriting Noelle? What are you planning, Father?"

She slowly turned back to Warren, searching for any sign of warmth, any glimmer of the understanding man who had always cared for her. Her eyes pleaded with him, silently begging him to take her side. But Warren merely sighed, rubbing his temples as if exhausted by the entire conversation.

"Khali." He said, his voice softer now. "Your father is right. I don't want to lose my Noelle's properties." He met her gaze, his tone almost sympathetic. "It's best you do this as soon as possible, and Logan… he can grow to love you."

Khalia's entire body went rigid. "Grow to love me?" Her nails curled into her palms as a bitter taste rose in her mouth.

"How can you say that?" She demanded, her voice rising with outrage. "How can you justify ruining someone else's life for material gain?"

Her grandfather flinched at the sharpness in her tone, but before he couldn't respond, she pressed on.

"You always told me that love was important. That Grandma built Noelle's brand with love and passion." She said, her voice trembling. "Now you want me to destroy someone else's happiness? For what? Money? Property? How could you?"

Warren exhaled heavily, his face troubled. "Khali, listen..." He began, but she cut him off.

"You said I have until twenty-three to get married. " She reminded him, forcing herself to calm down. "Then let me choose someone. And if I haven't married by then, I'll marry whoever you want."

The room fell into another deep silence. Warren studied her carefully, weighing her words. And for the first time since this conversation began, Khalia felt a flicker of hope.

' Would he agree? Or would he still force me into a future I wanted no part of?' Khalia thought to herself.

Warren sighed heavily as he watched his granddaughter's determined face.

'I can give her time.' He reasoned silently. 'Maybe she'll meet someone and fall in love on her own. I hate the idea of forcing her into this. If waiting a few years means she's happier, then we can wait.'

Just as he was about to voice his thoughts, a chair scraped against the floor with a loud screech. Ruben shot to his feet, his face twisted in fury. His voice boomed through the dining room, reverberating off the walls.

"You will marry Logan Roberts, and you will do it when I say!" He shouted, his voice laced with unrelenting authority.

Khalia's breath caught in her throat as she snapped her head up to stare at him. Her pulse pounded in her ears, the sheer audacity of his demand fueling the fire of anger already burning in her chest.

Slowly, she stood, her hands trembling, but not with fear, with rage.

"No!" She shouted back, her voice cutting through the heavy silence like a blade. "You think abandoning your daughter for eight years and then suddenly barking orders at me makes you a father?" Her hazel eyes burned with defiance as she glared coldly toward him. "You mean nothing to me, so why the hell would I ever listen to you?"

Ruben's expression faltered for just a moment, but before he could react, Khalia turned on her heel and bolted from the dining room. Her vision blurred as she rushed through the grand entryway, shoving open the heavy front doors. The cool night air hit her face as she sprinted down the stone pathway and onto the dimly lit street. But she didn't stop. She couldn't.

Her heart pounded against her ribs, her breath coming in ragged gasps as her legs carried her forward.

'How dare he?' She fumed. 'How dare he bark commands at me like I'm one of his subordinates?'

The thought alone made her sick. Her father, the man who had disappeared from her life for years, suddenly thought he had the right to dictate her future?

'What is so important about me marrying Logan Roberts?' She wondered, her mind racing as fast as her feet. 'Why is it so urgent that I do it now?'

Meanwhile, back in the dining room, Warren turned sharply to the tall, broad-shouldered man standing quietly behind him.

"Go find her." He ordered. "Ensure she is safe."

Mr. Clavette, Warren's most trusted security chief, gave a small nod. "Yes, sir."

Without hesitation, he turned on his heel and strode out of the dining room, signaling to two guards stationed near the door. They hurried after him, their footsteps echoing against the marble floors as they exited the estate in pursuit of Khalia.

The moment they were gone, Warren whirled back to Ruben, his fury barely contained.

"How dare you speak to her like that?!" He thundered, his face contorted with rage as he slammed a fist against the table.

Ruben flinched and sank back into his chair, looking momentarily unsure of himself.

"Father, I was just trying to help." He muttered, his voice significantly quieter than before.

"By scaring her?" Warren snapped. His piercing glare bore into his son like a dagger. "What the hell is wrong with you, Ruben?"

Ruben lowered his head, his fingers clenching into fists beneath the table. His jaw tightened before he muttered in a barely audible voice. "I'm sorry, Father."

Warren scoffed in disgust and pushed away from the table. Without another word, he stormed out of the dining room, leaving behind a thick, suffocating tension. As soon as Warren was gone, Ruben clenched his jaw and exhaled sharply. His momentary remorse faded, and his eyes darkened with something more sinister. He stared at the empty doorway, his lip curling slightly.

"If that little brat thinks she's going to throw away everything I've worked for…" He began, but he quickly stopped himself.

His fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. He couldn't say what was truly on his mind, not yet. Beside him, Sierra gently placed a hand on his arm, her touch light and coaxing.

"Honey." She murmured soothingly. "Calm down. Let's get out of here."

Ruben exhaled sharply, but the tension in his body eased slightly. With a forced smile, he nodded. Together, the three of them, Ruben, Sierra, and Emily, rose from their seats and exited the estate. As their sleek black car pulled away from the mansion, Sierra sat in thoughtful silence. Her nails drummed lightly against the leather seat as she debated what to say.

'Should I tell him?' She wondered. 'Would he even listen?'

She glanced at Ruben from the corner of her eye.

'He'll understand. He'll realize that Khalia marrying Logan would be a disaster, and he'll let Emily have him instead. Emily is his daughter too. He wouldn't let her suffer, would he?'

Taking a slow breath, she finally turned to him.

"Honey." She began carefully, her voice soft yet firm. "You cannot let Khalia marry Logan Roberts."

Ruben's gaze flicked toward her, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Why not?" He asked, his tone wary but curious.

Sierra met his gaze, her lips pressing together. She needed to choose her next words very carefully.