Chapter 3 — The Marriage Proposal

• Caroline’s POV
• I barely slept.
• Every time I closed my eyes, Lucian Varr’s voice returned to me.
• Now, Caroline, the debt belongs to you.
• By morning, the letter on the kitchen table remained real, and so did the memory of Lucian standing in my home, speaking about Daniel as though my brother had been involved in something far more dangerous than I could imagine.
• I found my mother in the kitchen.
• She sat at the table with a cup of untouched tea between her hands. Her eyes were swollen, and the sight of her made the anger inside me shift into something heavier.
• “Mom.”
• She looked up and smiled weakly. “You’re awake.”
• “I could say the same thing.”
• “I made tea.”
• “Neither have you.”
• I glanced at the cup I had made for myself.
• She gave me a tired smile. “You look like your father when you’re worried.”
• “That’s unfortunate.”
• A quiet laugh escaped her, but it disappeared quickly.
• The doorbell rang.
• My entire body stiffened.
• My mother looked toward the entrance. “Are you expecting someone?”
• “No.”
• I already knew who it was.
• I walked to the door and looked through the peephole.
• Lucian stood outside.
• This time, he wasn't alone.
• Two men stood behind him, dressed in dark suits and wearing the expression of people who had never needed to ask permission to enter anywhere.
• I opened the door but kept my hand on the handle.
• “You again.”
• “Good morning.”
• “It isn't.”
• His gaze moved past me.
• “May I come in?”
• “No.”
• He looked at me for a moment.
• Then he said, “I brought the contract.”
• I stared at him.
• “What contract?”
• “The one I mentioned last night.”
• “I remember.”
• “Then you understand why I’m here.”
• “I understand that you apparently have no concept of normal human behavior.”
• Something faintly amused flickered in his eyes.
• “I've been called worse.”
• “I’m sure.”
• My mother appeared behind me.
• “Caroline, who is it?”
• Lucian looked past me again.
• I stepped in front of him.
• “No one.”
• His eyebrow lifted.
• I glared at him.
• My mother approached. “Is everything all right?”
• I hated the concern in her voice.
• Lucian extended a black folder toward me.
• “Your mother should be present for this conversation.”
• I didn't take it.
• “What is this?”
• “A solution.”
• “To what?”
• “Your problem.”
• I looked at the folder, then at him.
• “You created the problem.”
• “Your brother did.”
• The reminder hit me like a slap.
• I snatched the folder from his hand.
• “Five minutes.”
• Lucian stepped inside.
• I led him into the sitting room, with my mother following behind us. His two men remained outside.
• I placed the folder on the table without opening it.
• “Explain.”
• Lucian sat across from us.
• “Your brother owed me a significant debt.”
• “How significant?”
• “Enough to destroy your family financially.”
• My mother went still.
• I shot Lucian a warning look.
• “Don't.”
• “You asked me to explain.”
• My mother looked between us. “What is he talking about?”
• I closed my eyes briefly.
• “Daniel owed him money.”
• “How much?”
• I looked at Lucian.
• He answered calmly.
• “More than your family can repay.”
• My mother's face lost its color.
• I reached for her hand.
• Lucian continued.
• “I am willing to erase the debt.”
• I looked at him sharply.
• “What?”
• “Your mother's debt will disappear.”
• “Why?”
• “Because I have an alternative arrangement.”
• I laughed once.
• There was no humor in it.
• “Of course you do.”
• Lucian opened the folder.
• Inside was a contract.
• I stared at the first page.
• I picked up the contract and scanned the first paragraph.
• The language was precise, written by someone who had anticipated every possible objection. There were clauses about public appearances, privacy, residence, and the length of the marriage. Lucian had not come to make a reckless proposal. He had prepared this carefully. He had known I would refuse. He had simply decided that my refusal would not be enough to stop him.
• My eyes stopped.
• “Marriage?”
• Lucian said nothing.
• I looked at him again.
• “You want me to marry you?”
• “For one year.”
• I stared at him.
• Then I laughed.
• My mother looked confused.
• Lucian remained completely serious.
• “You're insane.”
• “Possibly.”
• “You come to my house after my brother's funeral, tell me he left me a debt I can't pay, and then offer marriage as a solution?”
• “Yes.”
• I pushed the contract across the table.
• “Find someone else.”
• “I don't want someone else.”
• “Why me?”
• “Because your brother chose you.”
• “That isn't an answer.”
• “It is the only one you need.”
• I stood.
• “You expect me to believe Daniel willingly offered me as collateral?”
• “No.”
• “Then what exactly happened?”
• Lucian's expression changed.
• For the first time, something cold entered his eyes.
• “Your brother was desperate.”
• My chest tightened.
• “What did he do?”
• “That is not relevant to the contract.”
• “It is relevant to me.”
• “Not if you want to save your mother.”
• The room went silent.
• I had never felt this trapped before.
• My mother pulled her hand from mine.
• “Caroline,” she whispered.
• I looked at her.
• Lucian continued.
• “Marry me for one year, and your mother's debt will be erased. She will receive financial security for the rest of her life. She will have protection.”
• “And me?”
• “You will be protected as well.”
• “From who?”
• “My enemies.”
• I almost laughed again.
• “Why would your enemies care about me?”
• “Because if you become my wife, they will.”
• I stared at him.
• He said it as though that was supposed to reassure me.
• “You're offering me protection from problems you bring with you.”
• “Yes.”
• I rubbed my forehead.
• Lucian leaned back.
• “Your family will be financially secure. Your mother will be protected. The debt will disappear.”
• “And after one year?”
• “The marriage ends.”
• “Just like that?”
• “Just like that.”
• I looked down at the contract.
• One year.
• A legal marriage.
• Financial security.
• Protection.
• Freedom from Daniel's debt.
• It was almost too perfect.
• Which meant it was dangerous.
• “What happens if I refuse?”
• Lucian's gaze held mine.
• “Then the debt remains.”
• “And you will come after my mother?”
• “No.”
• “Then what?”
• “I will collect what your brother promised me.”
• A chill moved down my spine.
• “What did he promise you?”
• Lucian stood.
• He came around the table until he was standing directly in front of me.
• “Read the contract, Caroline.”
• His voice lowered.
• “Then decide whether you would rather become my wife or pay the price of your brother's failure.”
• I stared at him.
• He had to be insane.
• And the worst part was that I was beginning to realize he might be the only person capable of saving my family.