Billionaire or Spark

e. It was Mom's, a high-pitched squeal that sent shive

because Henry finally popped the question, dread because of the audience. Mom was already dabbing tears from her mascara-rimmed eyes, a

ice was a low rumble, de

he room. Henry, ever the gentleman, lingered by

omething that might have been...disappointment? "That's wonderful, Jessica,"

wouldn't be taking over the company. His dream, his legacy, had always been for me to become CEO, to follow in his

nsion. She reached for my hand, her fingers clutching mine with the force of a

terjected, the harshness back in his voi

upposed to celebrate my engagement, a step towards the life Dad always envision

d, his gaze shifting to encompass me and Henry. "You fina

like the undercurrent of Dad's words. "Sir," he

ying yes to you makes up for a lot." But what, Dad? My disobedience? My failur

gaze flitting between me and Dad. "Perhaps we should give you

g had been a carefully orchestrated move, a way to appease Dad and secure his bl

orcing a smile. "This is good news, r

! Let's go call your Aunt Margaret, she'll be thrilled to bits!" She

rose from his chair. He walked towards me, his face

s,

im well." Before I could respond, he turned and headed fo

is voice barely a whis

ons, the pressure to follow a path I didn't desire, the hollowness that gnawe

aging a weak smile. "Ju

ured. "But for now, let's celebrate." He gestured around the room, his gaze l

itter question escaped

uding over with confusion.

bol not of love, but of a life I wasn't sure I wanted. And a growing, nagging suspicion that somewhere else, a different