Chapter 19- Pride Over Survival
My heels came off the second I stepped through the door.X
I tossed my bag on the side table and dragged myself upstairs.
The scent of roast chicken floated through the air, but I wasn’t hungry
I wanted a long, hot shower and ten hours of uninterrupted sleep.
But when I came down for dinner, towel still around my damp hair, I noticed it instantly–the tension
My grandparents sat quietly at the table, forks untouched, their eyes full of something that looked an awful lot like worry.l
I pulled out a chair. “What’s going on?”
Grandpa glanced at Grandma, who gave him a slight nod.
He sighed. “There’s been… some talk.”
I tilted my head. “Talk?”
“About the company Grandma said gently. “Your first day, and already investors are panicking. Some of the board members are saying- “That I’m unfit?” I interrupted, lips pressing into a tight line.
She looked away. They say you’re not handling the crisis well. They think you’re too young. Too emotional. Too distracted. Especially after everything you’ve been through,”
“I am handling it,” I said, trying to sound confident even as my stomach turned. “I’ve already gone through the audit trails. I know someone’s leaking data, and I’ll find them. They just need to give me time.”
“You don’t have time, Faye, Grandpa said quietly. Three more investors pulled out today.”
I blinked. “What?”
He nodded. “Before you came home. We got the calls.”
My pulse quickened. My thoughts went straight to Hunter. He had to be behind this. He was tightening the noose.
Grandma reached out, touching my hand. “Sweetheart someone came by earlier. With a proposal.”
I froze. “Who?”
“Hunter Blackwell, Grandpa said. “He’s the grandson of an old friend of mine from high school. We’ve known his family for decades.”}}
I swallowed hard. “Did he.. did he say anything specific?”
“He asked for your hand in marriage,” Grandma said, voice steady!
I nearly choked. “He what?‘
“He left a few minutes before you got in,” Grandpa added.
I stared at them both, stunned. “You didn’t think to call me?”
“We didn’t want to overwhelm you,” Grandma said. “But Faye, he seemed serious. He said he could help you fix this.“I
I stood up from the table. My appetite vanished. “So what? Now I have to marry some smug corporate manipulator to prove I’m capable?” “No one’s pressuring you,” Grandpa said softly. “But if you don’t want to work with him… if you don’t want to marry him, maybe it’s best you step down. Before the company is ruined.”
His words cut deeper than he realized
I nodded slowly. “Excuse me.“X
Without waiting, I walked upstairs, locked my bedroom door, and collapsed on my bed.
My fingers hovered over my phone. Then, with a shaky breath, I tapped Hunter’s number.!!
He answered after one ring E
“Miss me already? His voice was smooth, amused.
“What the hell are you playing at?” I snapped. “You went to my grandparents?”
“I like old people,” he said lazily. “They’re sweet. Thought I’d introduce myself since we’re getting married.”
“We are not getting marned “X
“Well, not officially Yet But I figured I should start buttering up the in laws.”
I sat up “Why are you doing this, Hunter? What’s your angle? You lie to your family, manipulate mine, sabotage my company, and now suddenly you want to many ma?”)
“it’s simple,” he replied. “You need a lifeline, and I need a fiancée. Just for a few months. I take you to see my grandfather tomorrow, he sees I’m in love, he gets his wish and stop bugging me with blind dates, you save your company. Win–win “I
“I don’t need your charity “l
“This isn’t charity,” he said. “It’s a strategy”
“Well, take your strategy and shove it up your “Touchy” he thuttered
away from me, my company, and my grandparents.”2
it Hunter”
8:13 AM ₫
“I mean it, Hunter.
“Fine,” he said. “But when you’re done playing the martyr, call me. My offer’s still on the table. For now”
I hung up without saying another word.
A second later, my phone pinged
Lily sent you a message on Facebook.
I frowned. What the hell? I’d blocked her on everything. How did she even find me?
Curiosity got the better of me. I tapped the notification,
Her message popped up instantly.
the
“Thought you might like to know–Gabriel’s opening his new company in New York in three days. I’ll be by his side… and so will th twins.“&
Attached was a photo.
Gabriel stood beside Lily, looking proud and polished. Her hand rested on his chest, the other holding the twins.
The caption read
“Mr. & Mrs. Caldwin to arrive in New York for the grand opening… with their adorable twins.”
I stared at it for a long time. My chest was hollow. My throat, tight. Tears welled up, but I blinked them back.
Her twins..
Her family
My children.”
Everything I had lost, now plastered on the internet like some cruel trophy
And now I was here–alone, running a company on the brink of collapse while my ex paraded our children around like I never existed. I buried my face in my hands
Maybe aligning with Hunter wasn’t the worst idea.
I hated him. God, I did. But he was smart. Ruthless. And if anyone could help me hold onto what little I had left, it was him.
I just didn’t know what it would cost me
But maybe i was ready to pay it.X
Because what other choice did I have?%