Chapter 37 – The Dilemma Between Heart and Logic

That morning, news flooded electronic screens everywhere. Celeste sat on the edge of the bed, her phone vibrating with endless notifications. Every news portal displayed the same headline—the country was experiencing a serious economic crisis.

"The country's stock market plummeted by 4.5% in a single day. Economic instability has led to a decline in currency value, causing a surge in the prices of essential goods."

"Several major companies have begun cutting production costs, leading to salary reductions of up to 7%. Economists warn that the situation could worsen if no immediate intervention is taken."

Celeste bit her lip, anxiety creeping into her mind. If the situation worsened, it wouldn't just affect large corporations but also middle- and lower-class citizens. The financial world was ruthless—one small mistake could send someone tumbling down, with no way back up.

She took a deep breath, her fingers clutching tightly onto the blanket draped over her lap. What would happen if she rejected Alistair?

Her already complicated future would become even more uncertain. She wasn't naive—without protection and financial power, surviving in the business world was a battle that couldn't easily be won. Especially in an economy like this.

But could she really give herself up just for the sake of stability?

Celeste closed her eyes, trying to calm the storm raging in her thoughts. Alistair wasn't an ordinary man. He was someone who could change the world with a single decision. Becoming his wife meant having undeniable protection, but it also meant giving up part of her freedom.

A knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Come in," she said tiredly.

The door opened slowly, and Alistair appeared in the doorway. With his white shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows and that ever-composed expression, he walked toward her.

"You look troubled," he said, sitting at the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on her with quiet intensity.

Celeste opened her eyes, meeting his stare. "Have you seen the news this morning?"

Alistair nodded. "I predicted this months ago. That's why I accelerated my company's expansion overseas."

Celeste fell silent. So he already knew… and yet, he never told her?

"If you're worried about your future, Celeste," he continued, his voice deep and steady, "you know I can ensure that you'll never have to face those struggles."

Celeste let out a heavy sigh. "I don't want to make a decision based on fear of the future, Alistair."

Alistair held her gaze. "And I don't want you to decide without considering everything that's at stake."

A quiet tension hung between them.

Celeste knew—there was no easy answer to this situation.

She lowered her head, her fingers gripping the blanket tightly in her lap. Her eyes stared blankly at the cold marble floor, but her mind drifted far into the past.

Back then, before all of this, she had lived through hardship. There was no one to rely on. She had worked tirelessly just to make sure there was food on the table. She had slept on the worn-out couch of a tiny office that barely fit her exhausted body.

Living without money was a war that couldn't be won with determination alone. She had learned that the hard way. The world didn't give second chances to those without resources.

If she rejected Alistair, where would she go? What would she do?

Would she have to return to a life where every penny counted? To a life of fearing what tomorrow would bring?

But accepting Alistair wasn't a simple choice either. He was not the kind of man who would allow her full independence. If she chose him, her life would change entirely.

No longer as someone struggling to survive.

No longer as a woman forced to fight alone.

But as a woman bound to a man who owned everything.

A world revolving around power, wealth, and control.

Alistair watched Celeste in silence. He could see the conflict swirling in her mind, but he refused to pressure her. She needed to make this decision on her own.

But one thing was certain—he would never let her go back to that difficult life.

When Celeste finally lifted her head and met Alistair's gaze, she saw something in his eyes she had never noticed before.

Patience.

And somehow, that only made her decision even harder.