CHAPTER ONE:THE PROPOSAL

"You must marry him"

The words crashed over Amelia Owen like a violent wave, knocking the breath from her lungs. She sat frozen at the grand dining table, her grip tightening around the edge as she stared at her father, Alexander Owen, in shock. 

"You can't be serious." Her voice came out steadier than she felt.

Across from her, Alexander leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I'm very serious, Amelia."

Her mother, Elena Owen, sat beside him, her delicate hands wrapped around a glass of red wine. She avoided Amelia's gaze, her silence a confirmation that this wasn't a discussion—it was a decision already made.

Amelia forced a breath into her lungs. "You expect me to marry a man I barely know?"

"You know of him," her father corrected. "Arnold Williams is one of the most powerful men in the country. This marriage is necessary."

"Necessary for who?" Amelia's voice rose. "Because it sure as hell isn't necessary for me."

Her father exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples as though she was being difficult. "The company is on the verge of collapse, Amelia. This is the only way to save it."

There it was. The real reason behind this insanity. Amelia's stomach twisted with disgust. "So, I'm just a bargaining chip? You're selling me off to save your business?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Alexander snapped. "This is a strategic alliance."

Amelia let out a bitter laugh. "An alliance? Do I look like a pawn to you?"

Her mother finally spoke, her voice soft. "Amelia, please. Try to understand—"

"No," Amelia cut her off. "I do understand. You want me to sacrifice my life, my happiness, just to fix your mistakes. Well, I refuse."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "You will marry him, Amelia."

She shoved her chair back and stood. "And if I don't?"

Her father's eyes burned with warning. "Then be prepared to lose everything. Your credit cards, your inheritance, your name. You won't have a single cent to your name if you walk away from this."

Amelia's breath caught. She had always known her father was ruthless in business, but she never thought he would treat her like one of his disposable assets.

"You wouldn't," she whispered.

Alexander's expression remained hard. "Try me."

Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Amelia's heart pounded as she searched for an escape, a way out of this nightmare.

Then her father delivered the final blow. "The wedding is in two weeks."

Her stomach lurched. "Two weeks?" Her voice cracked. "You expect me to marry a stranger in two weeks?"

"It's already been arranged," he said simply. "Arnold has agreed to it."

Amelia felt like the ground had been ripped from beneath her. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Why would he agree to marry me?"

Her father didn't answer immediately. He simply held her gaze, his silence more unsettling than any words he could have spoken.

"You don't need to concern yourself with that," he finally said.

A chill crawled down Amelia's spine. There was something else—something her father wasn't telling her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I won't do it," she whispered.

Her father's expression didn't change. "You will."

Amelia turned on her heel and stormed out of the dining hall, her mind spinning.

Two weeks.

She had two weeks to figure out a way to stop this wedding.

Because there was no way in hell she was going to marry Arnold Williams.

Amelia stormed up the grand staircase, her breath uneven as she reached the second floor of the Owen estate. The heels of her shoes clicked against the polished marble, echoing through the dimly lit hallway. She couldn't stay in that dining room for another second, suffocating under her father's control.

Entering her bedroom, she slammed the door shut behind her, pressing her back against the cool wood. She needed to think.

Her father had threatened to cut her off. No money. No inheritance. It was a cruel move, but not surprising. Alexander Owen had always valued his empire above everything—even his own daughter.

She walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, her arms wrapping around herself. The city lights shimmered beyond the glass, stretching far and wide, a world full of possibilities. But for her, those possibilities were closing fast.

Her father had already made up his mind.

And so had Arnold Williams.

The thought made her stomach twist. She knew his name well—who didn't? The billionaire who built an empire from the ground up, feared and respected by many. But why would a man like him agree to this arrangement?

What did he gain from marrying her?

Her fingers clenched into the fabric of her dress. None of it made sense.

Amelia turned away from the window, pacing the length of her room. There had to be a way out of this. Running away wouldn't work—her father would track her down before she made it past state lines. But staying meant submitting to his demands, giving up her independence.

That was not an option.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She stiffened.

"Amelia," her mother's voice came from the other side, hesitant.

She remained silent, her heart hammering.

"Please, open the door."

Amelia hesitated before walking over and unlocking it. The door opened slightly,

"May I come in?" her mother asked softly.

Amelia stepped aside, allowing her inside. Elena walked in and closed the door, her hands clasped in front of her. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Elena sighed. "I know you're upset."

Amelia crossed her arms. "Upset doesn't even begin to cover it."

Her mother gave her a sad smile. "I know this isn't what you wanted, but sometimes, we don't get to choose our fate."

"That's easy for you to say," Amelia shot back. "You're not the one being forced into marriage."

Elena's gaze softened. "I was, once."

Amelia's breath caught. "What?"

Her mother nodded. "I married your father for business reasons, just like this. It wasn't love at first, but over time… things changed."

Amelia stared at her, searching for any hint of regret. "And are you happy?"

Elena hesitated.

That hesitation was all Amelia needed.

"I won't let that be my future," she said firmly.

Her mother sighed. "Then you need to decide, Amelia. Are yo

u willing to risk everything to fight this?"

Amelia looked away, her jaw tight.

Two weeks.

That was all the time she had.