Eleanor's POV
I stared at my father, the weight of his words sinking in slowly like a stone thrown into the ocean. His declaration felt like a noose tightening around my neck. Leaving the house? What did he mean by his way? My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic rhythm of fear and confusion.
"Your way?" I echoed, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to appear composed. "What does that even mean, Dad?"
He looked at me with a mixture of exasperation and something else—was it pity? Or maybe regret? His eyes, usually so full of determination and purpose, seemed tired and defeated.
"You'll find out soon enough," he said, turning away from me. His voice was low and resigned, a far cry from the authoritative tone he usually commanded. "Aurora," he called to my mother, who was standing by my side, her hand gripping mine tightly. "We need to talk."
My mother looked at me, her eyes filled with worry, and nodded. She gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before following my father into his study, leaving me standing alone in the living room. The silence in the house was oppressive, weighing heavily on my shoulders. I felt like an outsider in my own home, a pawn in a game I didn't understand.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I needed answers, and I needed them now. Without waiting for an invitation, I followed my parents into the study.
The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the small desk lamp casting a soft glow over the scattered papers and open books. My father was sitting behind his desk, his head in his hands, while my mother stood by the window, staring out into the night.
"Dad," I said softly, stepping into the room. "I deserve to know what's going on. Please, just tell me."
He looked up at me, his eyes red-rimmed and weary. "Eleanor," he began, his voice strained, "this isn't just about the company. It's about our family's survival."
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. "What are you talking about?"
He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "We're in debt, Eleanor. Deep debt. The kind that ruins lives and destroys families. The kind that we can't just wish away."
"I know that," I replied, my voice rising in frustration. "But why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have helped—"
"Helped how?" he interrupted, his voice tinged with bitterness. "With your paintings? With your art? That's not enough, Eleanor. We need something more. Something substantial."
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "Then what do you expect me to do?"
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes boring into mine. "You need to trust me. You need to let me handle this."
I felt tears welling up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. "But Dad, that's not fair. You can't just shut me out."
My mother stepped forward, her face etched with concern. "Eleanor, please try to understand. This isn't just about you. It's about all of us. The company, our livelihood, our future."
I turned to her, desperation in my voice. "But what about my future? My dreams? My happiness?"
She placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch gentle and comforting. "Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good."
I shook my head, the tears now streaming down my face. "I can't do this. I won't."
My father stood up, his expression stern and unyielding. "You don't have a choice, Eleanor. It's either this or we lose everything. Do you understand?"
I looked at him, my vision blurred by tears. "What do you mean by your way?"
He sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair. "There's an agreement, Eleanor. Between our family and the Sterlings."
"The Sterlings?" I asked, confusion knitting my brows. "What do they have to do with this?"
He exchanged a glance with my mother before turning back to me. "Alexander Sterling. He can help us. His family has the means to save our company."
My mind raced, trying to connect the dots. Alexander Sterling... I remembered hearing the name in passing, but I didn't know much about him.
"Why would he help us?" I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.
"Because of an agreement his father and I made years ago," my father explained. "A promise to support each other.. Alexander has agreed to honour that promise."
"But why now? Why didn't you tell me this before?" I demanded.
"Because I didn't want to worry you," he replied, his voice softening. "I thought I could handle it on my own. But things have gotten worse, and we need his help now more than ever."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "What does he want in return?"
My father hesitated, then spoke in a low voice. "He wants to marry you, Eleanor."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and reeling. Marry Alexander Sterling? A man I barely knew, someone who was little more than a name to me? This couldn't be happening.
"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "No, you can't be serious."
"I am serious, Eleanor," my father replied, his voice firm. "This is the only way to save our family. To save everything we've worked for."
I felt tears welling up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. "But Dad, that's not fair. You can't force me into a marriage I don't want."
My mother stepped forward, her face etched with concern. "Eleanor, please try to understand. This isn't just about you. It's about all of us. The company, our livelihood, our future."
I turned to her, desperation in my voice. "But what about my future? My dreams? My happiness?"
She placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch gentle and comforting. "Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good."
I shook my head, the tears now streaming down my face. "I can't do this. I won't."
My father stood up, his expression stern and unyielding. "You don't have a choice, Eleanor. It's either this or we lose everything. Do you understand?"
I looked at him, my vision blurred by tears. "Why Alexander? Why him of all people?"
My father sighed, his shoulders sagging with the weight of his words. "Because he's the only one who can help us. His family's wealth and connections are the only thing that can save us from ruin. And he agreed to marry you because of a long-standing business agreement between our families."
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. This was all just a business transaction to him. A way to secure his interests, regardless of what it meant for me.
"I need some time to think," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
My father nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Take all the time you need, Eleanor. But remember, we don't have much of it."
I turned and walked out of the study, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, fear, sadness, and a deep sense of betrayal. I made my way to my room, the walls closing in on me as I tried to process everything that had just happened.
Collapsing onto my bed, I buried my face in my hands and let the tears flow freely. How had my life come to this? How had I ended up in a situation where my father was willing to sell me off to save his business?
I didn't know what to do, or where to turn. All I knew was that my life was no longer my own. It was a pawn in a game of power and greed, a game I had no choice but to play.
As I lay there, sobbing into my pillow, I felt a cold determination settle over me. If this was the path my father had chosen for me, then I would walk it with my head held high. I would face Alexander Sterling and the life he offered, and I would find a way to make it my own.
I would not be a victim. I would not be a pawn. I would be the master of my fate, no matter what it took.
The sun had long set, casting the house in a blanket of darkness. I could hear the faint hum of the city outside, a stark contrast to the silence within. I made my way down the hallway, my footsteps echoing off the wooden floor. I paused outside my father's study, the door slightly ajar, and took a deep breath before pushing it open.
He was sitting at his desk, his head in his hands, lost in thought. He looked up as I entered, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and apprehension.
"Dad," I said, my voice steady yet laden with emotion, "I need to understand more about this agreement with the Sterlings."
He sighed, gesturing for me to sit down. "I suppose you deserve to know the full story."
I settled into the chair opposite him, my heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and dread. My mother stood by the window, her expression unreadable, but I could sense the tension in her posture.
"Years ago," my father began, his voice heavy with memory, "Alexander's father and I made a pact. We were both young,
ambitious, and determined to build empires. We agreed that if either of our families ever faced ruin, the other would step in to help. It was a bond of friendship, trust, and mutual benefit."
"But why didn't you tell me about this before?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration. "Why keep it a secret?"
"Because I hoped it would never come to this," he replied, his gaze steady. "I hoped I could fix our problems without invoking that old agreement. But things have spiralled out of control, and now we need their help."
"And Alexander is willing to honour this agreement?" I asked, my mind racing with questions.
My father nodded. "Yes, he is. But there's a condition. He wants to marry you, Eleanor. He believes it will solidify the alliance between our families and protect both our interests."
I felt a lump form in my throat. This was all too much to process. "But why me? Why not find another way?"
"Because this is the way things are done in our world," my father said, his tone firm. "Marriages like these are not uncommon. They serve to strengthen bonds, secure alliances, and ensure mutual prosperity."
I looked at him, my eyes filled with a mix of anger and sadness. "And what about my happiness? What about my dreams?"
He reached across the desk, taking my hand in his. "I understand your concerns, Eleanor. But sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. This marriage could save our family, our company, and everything we've worked for."
I pulled my hand away, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "I need some time to think," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
My father nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Take all the time you need, Eleanor. But remember, we don't have much of it."
I stood up, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. I needed to clear my head, to figure out what to do next. As I walked out of the study, I could feel my mother's worried gaze following me. I needed space, and I needed answers. And I knew exactly where to start.
I made my way to the city, the hustle and bustle of Manhattan a stark contrast to the silence of my home. I needed to see for myself who Alexander Sterling was. If I was to be forced into this arrangement, I needed to know what I was getting into.
I arrived at the Sterling Corporation, a towering skyscraper that seemed to touch the clouds. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I walked through the revolving doors, the grandeur of the lobby overwhelming.
A receptionist greeted me, her smile polite but distant. "How may I help you?"
"I'm here to see Alexander Sterling," I said, my voice steady despite the nerves wracking my body.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, her fingers poised over the keyboard.
"No," I admitted, "but it's important. Please, just tell him Eleanor Philip is here."
She gave me a curious look before picking up the phone and making a quick call. After a brief conversation, she nodded. "Mr. Sterling will see you now. Please follow me."
I followed her through the sleek corridors, my heart pounding with each step. We arrived at a set of large double doors, and she knocked before pushing them open.
Alexander Sterling stood behind his desk, his presence commanding the room. He was tall and impeccably dressed, with an air of authority that was both intimidating and magnetic. His eyes met mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"Eleanor Philip," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I needed to see you," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I needed to understand what kind of man you are."
He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "And have you found your answers?"
"Not yet," I admitted, stepping further into the room. "But I'm here to find out."
He motioned for me to sit, and I took a seat opposite him, my heart still racing. "So, what do you want to know?" he asked, leaning back in his chair, his gaze never leaving mine.
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Why do you want to marry me? Is this just about business, or is there more to it?"
He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "This marriage will indeed benefit both our families," he said slowly. "But it's not just about business. I believe in honouring my father's agreements, and this is part of that. But there's also something about you, Eleanor. Something intriguing. I think there's more to you than meets the eye."
I felt a mix of emotions swirling within me. Anger, curiosity, fear, and a strange sense of determination. "This is my life we're talking about," I said, my voice tinged with defiance. "I won't be a pawn in your game."
He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that took my breath away. "I don't see you as a pawn, Eleanor. I see you as a partner. Someone with strength and potential. And I think, together, we could accomplish great things."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I didn't know whether to believe him or to run as far away as possible. But one thing was clear I needed to understand this man, to uncover his true motives.
"And what if I refuse?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled a slow, enigmatic smile that sent a chill down my spine. "I don't think you will," he said softly. "I think you know this is the best option for both of us."
I stared at him, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts. This was the man who held my future in his hands. The man who could either destroy me or elevate me to heights I never imagined.
"I need time," I said finally, standing up. "I need to think about all of this."
He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Take all the time you need, Eleanor. But remember, the clock is ticking."
I turned and walked out of the office, my heart pounding in my chest. This was far from over. It was just beginning.
The weight of the day's revelations pressed heavily on my shoulders as I returned home. I needed time to think and to process everything that had happened. My father's desperate plea, Alexander's cryptic assurances, it was all too much to take in.
I found myself standing in front of my father's study once more, the door slightly opened. I could hear my parents' voices inside, their tones hushed but urgent. I hesitated, not wanting to intrude, but my need for answers propelled me forward.
I knocked and pushed the door open stepping inside. My parents looked up, their expressions a mix of surprise and concern.
"Dad, Mom," I began, my voice trembling slightly. "I need to know everything. I need to understand what we're truly facing."
My father sighed, his shoulders slumping as he gestured for me to sit. My mother took a seat beside me, her hand resting reassuringly on my arm.
"Eleanor," my father said softly, "we're on the brink of bankruptcy. Our debts are astronomical, and without immediate intervention, we'll lose everything."
I felt a lump form in my throat, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "And you believe this marriage to Alexander Sterling will save us?"
He nodded, his expression so certain. "It's not just about the money, Eleanor. It's about the connections, the influence. The Sterling family can provide us with the support we need to rebuild and thrive."
I looked at my mother, her eyes filled with worry. "And you agree with this?"
She sighed, her gaze meeting mine. "I don't like it, Eleanor. But sometimes, we have to make difficult choices for the sake of our family. Your father and I believe this is the best option."
I stood up, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. "I need time to think," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.
My father nodded, his expression understanding. "Take all the time you need, Eleanor. But remember, we don't have much of it."
As I walked out of the study, I felt a sense of determination settle over me. This was my life, my future. And I would fight for it with everything I had.