The Reluctant Vow

bstract art pieces, and the polished floors gleamed under the soft glow of recessed lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a stunning view of the cit

reeted, her voice smooth

ms damp as she stepped forwar

lips. She was impeccably dressed in a tailored navy suit, her dark hair swep

said, gesturing to one of the pl

ck straight and her hands folded tightly in her lap. The weight of the situation

hy I invited you here," Vict

hing as she replied, "Yes. I

ack in her chair, her fingers steepled together. "Your father, James Ellis, was

I didn't know that. My fa

true. Years ago, during a particularly turbulent time for the Blackwood family business, your father stepped in wit

y praised, but it was quickly tempered by confusion. "Tha

ons created a debt-a debt I've always intended to repay. And now, with his passing

rt pounding. "I don't understand. What

arp and calculating. "An arrangement

down her spine. "What

rriage," Victor

e a thunderclap. Clara stared

my son, Marcus Blackwood. It's a mutually beneficial solution. You gain financial stabi

what she had expected when she walked i

decision I've come to lightly. Marcus is a capable and accomplished

of what was being asked. "I don't even know your so

sitation, Miss Ellis. But consider your current situation. The debts, the looming foreclosure

iation. "So, what? I'm supposed to sell myself off like s

elf, Clara. It's about survival. It's about leveraging an opportunity to secure your future.

there was an undeniable logic to Victoria's words. She thought about the bills piling up on

ter a long pause. "Does he even know

"He trusts my judgment, and he understa

ara uneasy. It sounded less like a partne

his," Clara said finally, her

tood, signaling that the meeting was over. "Take as much time as you need. B

e her way to the elevator. As the doors closed behind her, she

f Victoria's proposition pressed down on her, and she couldn't shake the

grounding her momentarily. Clara looked up at the towering buildi

rriage to a man she had never met-all of it hung in the b