Selena"s Fate

bled. His death, made harder by the crippling debts I didn't know he h

but now, even that wasn't enough. I had to sell the business. My father w

could help. Anyone. My fingers hovered over one name-my fat

he answered, his voice was

y for calling

ele

id quickly, swallowing

now what to do. The hospital bills, school..

pause on th

ade the panic in

o hard to build it." I couldn't stand hearing about my father's wo

keeping my voice from cracking. "I can'

might be a buyer interested. The offer's

," I said

I'll meet anyone.

I'll arrange a meeting," he sa

lt like betrayal, but what choice did I have? I spent the night wrestling

inding me that I couldn't back out of this. I had to go t

*

ously for Gregory to return with the potential bu

med as he in

aniel, this is Selena Ericks

flicker of recognition. He was much taller in life than on the busin

ying to gather my

his expression unreadable

niel said without so much as a

e here to discuss the sale of your family's business. Daniel is offering

My focus kept straying to Dan

the details. Numbers, percentages, and business jarg

it was with a cool, detached professionalism. Regard

myself. This was my last chance to save Max, and yet, here I w

l leaned forward, his voice low and delib

onfused. "Wha

ye contact. "I hav

e way he said it sent a shiver dow

in them. "I'll still buy the business. I'll even cover your brothe

e. "Con

calm, almost ca

an ill timed joke. But the silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating. "M

e money, and I need...a wife." There was no warmth in the

ine. "It benefits both of us," he said. "I need someone to stay by my side

brother will be set up for life." He turned back to face m

eamed at me to walk away, that this was absurd, bu

en say no" I asked, though

ess smile. "Then I walk, and you have noth

to be proud, not when Max's life hung in the balance.

ssion unreadable once aga

t and walked out of the room withou