Chapter 2 - Arthur Costa’s Offer
My father reached our table almost immediately.
“Arthur.”
Arthur remained standing.
“Richard.”
My father forced a smile.
“I didn’t realize Evelyn had caught your attention.”
“She didn’t.”
The smile faltered.
Arthur gestured toward the empty chair.
“Sit.”
My father sat.
I almost smiled.
I had never seen Richard Bennett obey anyone that quickly.
Arthur placed his bourbon down.
“You owe the Romanos three million.”
My father glanced at me.
“Evelyn told you?”
“I asked.”
Arthur leaned back.
“I’ll settle the debt.”
My father’s expression changed instantly.
Relief.
Greed.
Calculation.
“What do you want in return?”
“Evelyn.”
There it was.
My stomach dropped despite knowing it was coming.
My father nodded slowly.
“Marriage?”
“Yes.”
“Arthur, considering her condition—”
Arthur’s expression changed.
Only slightly.
It was enough.
“My future wife’s medical information isn’t a negotiating point.”
My father went silent.
I stared at Arthur.
Future wife.
He said it as calmly as ordering another drink.
My father cleared his throat.
“Three million clears the Romano obligation, but there are other considerations.”
Arthur almost smiled.
“You’re negotiating?”
“Evelyn is my daughter.”
“You called her an asset.”
My father’s face drained.
Arthur had heard us.
Or someone had.
Arthur leaned forward.
“You have sixty seconds to decide whether three million dollars is enough compensation for losing the daughter you already decided to sell.”
“Arthur—”
“Fifty-five.”
My father looked at me.
Not like a father.
Like a businessman watching the market close.
“Done.”
Something inside me went cold.
Arthur stood.
“Good.”
I stood too.
“Not good.”
Both men looked at me.
I faced Arthur.
“You forgot to ask me.”
Silence spread around the table.
My father whispered harshly.
“Evelyn.”
“No.”
Arthur studied me.
I expected anger.
Instead he asked, “Would you like me to?”
“Yes.”
Arthur nodded.
Then he extended his hand.
“Evelyn Bennett, will you marry me?”
I stared at his hand.
“Why?”
“My children need stability.”
“Hire another nanny.”
“They have three.”
“A housekeeper?”
“Two.”
“Then why a wife?”
His eyes held mine.
“Because my house has employees. It doesn’t have warmth.”
That answer caught me off guard.
Arthur continued.
“And because you need something too.”
“What?”
“A door.”
I frowned.
He glanced toward my father.
“Out.”
My father stood.
“That’s enough.”
Arthur didn’t even look at him.
“No, Richard. You’re finished speaking.”
My father’s jaw tightened.
Arthur looked back at me.
“You can walk out that door with me tonight. Your father’s debt disappears. Nobody here purchases you.”
I folded my arms.
“Except you.”
“No.”
Arthur stepped closer.
“I pay the debt whether you marry me or not.”
My father shot to his feet.
“What?”
Arthur ignored him.
“If you say no, my driver takes you anywhere you want to go.”
I searched his expression.
“What do you get?”
“If you say no?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing.”
“And if I say yes?”
He paused.
“A chance.”
“At what?”
“Building something neither of us planned.”
My father slammed his palm against the table.
“You cannot pay my debt and let her walk away.”
Arthur finally turned.
“Watch me.”
The room became completely silent.
Arthur looked at me again.
“Your choice, Evelyn.”
Nobody had said those words to me all day.
Maybe nobody had said them to me my entire life.
I looked at my father.
Then my mother.
Neither seemed worried about losing me.
Only the money.
I turned back to Arthur.
“When would we marry?”
“Tomorrow.”
My eyebrows rose.
“That’s insane.”
“Yes.”
“Where would I live?”
“My house.”
“Separate bedroom?”
“If you want.”
“Your children?”
“You meet them before deciding.”
That stopped me.
“You’d let me meet them first?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because if they hate you, this doesn’t work.”
“And if I hate them?”
For the first time, Arthur Costa smiled.
“Then I suspect they’ll deserve it.”
A laugh escaped me before I could stop it.
Arthur extended his hand again.
“Come meet my family.”
May you like
This time, I took it.
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