Chapter 9- Another Deal

The quiet hum of the hospital filled the air as Anna sat beside Lilly’s bed, watching her sister sleep. Lilly’s earlier questions still weighed heavily on her mind, but she pushed them aside, focusing instead on the steady rise and fall of her sister’s chest. At least for now, Lilly was at peace.

Anna’s phone vibrated in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and felt her stomach twist. Jaden Blackwell.

She hesitated, not wanting to disturb Lilly’s rest, before slipping out of the room and stepping into the hallway. The polished floors and sterile white walls seemed colder as she pressed the phone to her ear.

“Hello?” she answered, her voice quiet but steady.

“Anna,” Jaden’s voice came through, crisp and devoid of warmth. “I hope you’re ready to start playing your part properly.”

Anna straightened her back, bracing herself for his detached tone. “What do you mean?”

“My mother wants to meet you,” he said bluntly, without even a greeting. “She’s expecting you later today.”

Anna blinked, the suddenness of his words catching her off guard. “Your mother? Why?”

He let out a dry laugh, the sound sharp and condescending. “Do you really think you get to ask questions? You’re here to do a job, Anna. Play the part, look the part, and don’t mess things up. That’s all I need from you.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone, irritation bubbling beneath her skin. “I’m just trying to understand—”

“You don’t need to understand anything,” he interrupted coldly. “You just need to follow instructions. A car will pick you up in two hours. Make sure you look. Presentable.”

Anna bit back a sharp retort, knowing it would only make things worse. “Fine,” she said, her voice clipped.

“Good,” Jaden replied. “And, Anna? Don’t embarrass me.”

The line went dead before she could respond. She stared at her phone, a mix of anger and frustration twisting in her chest. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him she wasn’t some pawn he could order around, but the truth was, she had no choice.

With a sigh, she returned to Lilly’s room, forcing a smile as she kissed her sister’s forehead. “I have to go for a little while, but Emily will stay with you, okay?”

Lilly stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. “Where are you going?”

Anna smoothed her hair. “Just a quick meeting. I’ll be back soon, I promise.”

Lilly nodded sleepily, her trust in Anna unwavering, and it only made the guilt heavier.

*******

Two hours later, Anna found herself stepping out of a sleek black car in front of a grand estate that could have belonged to royalty. The Blackwell mansion loomed before her, its towering columns and intricate design a testament to wealth and power.

A butler greeted her at the door, leading her through a marble foyer that felt more like a museum than a home. Every step echoed, reminding her of how out of place she was in this world.

Eleanor Blackwell awaited her in a sitting room that was no less extravagant. The older woman exuded elegance, her silver hair styled perfectly and her sharp eyes taking in every detail of Anna as she entered. Dressed in a tailored suit that screamed sophistication, Eleanor was every bit the matriarch.

“Anna,” Eleanor greeted, her tone warm yet laced with authority. “Come, sit.”

Anna obeyed, perching on the edge of a plush armchair that probably cost more than her rent for an entire year. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Blackwell,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Please, call me Eleanor,” the woman replied, waving a hand. “After all, we’re going to be family soon.”

The words made Anna’s stomach flip, but she forced a polite smile. “Thank you.”

Eleanor studied her for a moment, her gaze piercing. “You’re quite lovely,” she said finally. “Simple, but there’s a certain charm about you. I can see why Jaden chose you.”

Anna stiffened slightly, unsure how to respond. She doubted Jaden had chosen her for anything beyond convenience, but this wasn’t the time to argue.

“Thank you,” she said again, keeping her answers safe and neutral.

Eleanor sipped her tea, her movements graceful and deliberate. “I wanted to meet you to discuss the engagement and wedding preparations. As you can imagine, the Blackwell name carries significant weight, and I expect the event to reflect that.”

“Of course,” Anna replied, nodding.

“The engagement party will be held next weekend,” Eleanor continued, setting down her cup. “I trust Jaden has informed you of this?”

Anna hesitated. “Not yet, but I’ll be ready.”

Eleanor raised an eyebrow, a slight frown tugging at her lips. “That boy. He’s always been difficult.”

Anna bit her lip, unsure how to respond. Fortunately, Eleanor didn’t seem to expect an answer.

“Tell me, Anna,” Eleanor said, leaning forward slightly. “What do you think of my son?”

The question caught her off guard, and she hesitated, searching for a diplomatic response. “He’s driven,” she said carefully. “And confident.”

Eleanor’s lips twitched into a faint smile, as if she saw right through Anna’s vague answer. “He’s also cold, stubborn, and entirely too focused on his work. Isn’t that right?”

Anna’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t deny it.

Eleanor sighed, her expression softening. “Jaden wasn’t always this way. There was a time when he was kind, even gentle. But life has a way of hardening people, especially when they carry the weight of a legacy like ours.”

Anna shifted uncomfortably, unsure where this conversation was leading.

“I know my son,” Eleanor continued, her tone more serious now. “And I know that this engagement isn’t built on love. You don’t have to pretend otherwise with me.”

Anna’s breath caught in her throat. Eleanor’s words were a startling admission, and they left her feeling exposed.

“But,” Eleanor added, her sharp gaze locking onto Anna’s, “I also know that love can grow, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. And I believe it’s your responsibility to make that happen.”

Anna blinked, taken aback. “I don’t understand.”

Eleanor leaned forward, her voice low and firm. “Promise me, Anna. Promise me that you’ll do everything in your power to make my son fall in love with you. He may not admit it, but he needs someone to soften those edges, to remind him what it means to truly feel.”

Anna stared at her, speechless. The weight of Eleanor’s request settled over her like a heavy blanket, suffocating and inescapable. How could she promise something so impossible?

“Mrs. Blackwell, I—” she began, her voice faltering.

“Eleanor,” the older woman corrected, her tone unwavering. “And I’m not asking. I’m telling you what’s expected of you.”

Anna swallowed hard, her mind racing. She had agreed to this engagement to save her sister, not to play matchmaker for a man who seemed incapable of love. But Eleanor’s piercing gaze left no room for argument.

“Do you promise?” Eleanor pressed, her voice a quiet command.

Anna opened her mouth, but no words came out. How could she promise to achieve something she didn’t even believe in?

The silence stretched between them, heavy and tense, until Eleanor’s voice broke it once more.

“Think carefully, Anna,” she said. “Because your answer will determine not just your future, but Jaden’s as well.”

And with that, Eleanor leaned back, her expression unreadable, leaving Anna on the edge of a decision that could change everything.