Everyone in Chicago knew about Lena Hart’s engagement to Cameron Vance—CEO of Vance Industries, billionaire heir, one of the most powerful men in the city.
Gerald entered, grim and calculating. “That’s what we need to discuss.”
Lena turned to him in panic. “Daddy, I can’t marry him now.”
“I know, baby girl,” Gerald said gently. “And we’re not going to make you.”
A cold knot formed in Simone’s stomach.
Gerald looked at her.
“But the marriage contract is signed. If the wedding is canceled, we lose the merger deal with Vance Industries. We lose everything.”
Monica’s smile turned cruel.
“That’s where Simone comes in.”
Simone stared at them. “What?”
“You’re going to marry Cameron Vance,” Gerald said.
The room tilted.
“You can’t be serious.”
“We’re perfectly serious,” Monica said. “The contract only says ‘a Hart daughter.’ It does not specify which one.”
“And if I refuse?” Simone asked quietly.
Gerald’s smile disappeared. “Then you’re out. No home. No money. No references. Good luck surviving in Chicago with no degree and no work history.”
It was a real threat. Simone had secretly saved only a few hundred dollars over the years—nothing close to enough.
Monica folded her arms. “After all we’ve done for you, you owe us.”
Simone wanted to scream. Instead, she took a breath and asked, “What do I get?”
That made Gerald pause.
“If I marry a stranger—a stranger in a wheelchair—I want something in return.”
Lena laughed in disbelief, but Gerald watched Simone with new respect.
“What do you want?”
“An apartment after the wedding,” she said. “My own place. Enough money to start over. And I want it in writing.”
Gerald agreed too quickly, which told her how desperate they were.
“When’s the wedding?”
“In two weeks.”
As she turned to leave, Gerald added, “And keep looking exactly like that. We don’t need Cameron getting ideas.”
