Emery was sitting near the window, reading a hardcover novel she had found on the shelf, when the door opened. She didn’t bother looking up.


    “Young Miss, the Master asked you toe downstairs for dinner,” Darlene said as she stepped in. She held out a red dress draped neatly over one arm. “You will be wearing this tonight.”


    Emery marked her page and closed the book. She set it aside and looked at Darlene.


    “Do you need help getting ready?” Darlene asked.


    Emery gave her a small smile. “What day is it today?”


    “It’s Tuesday, Miss.”


    Emery nodded to herself. That meant it had been two days since she arrived. She stood up and stretched her legs.


    She had long since turned off her phone after telling Nina that everything was ording to her ns. Two days without her phone meant no emails, no text messages, and no scrolling around social media for hours. She actually felt incredibly good now, even better than when she arrived in this ce.


    “I’ll be fine. You can wait outside,” she said..


    Darlene gave a brief nod and left the room.


    Emery changed into the dress quickly. It fit snugly at the waist and flowed just below her knees. Luckily, she’s still not showing. She touched her belly for a few seconds before she smiled.


    Then she started doing her makeup. She kept the makeup minimal-just enough to look presentable. When she was done, she checked her reflection onest time and opened the door.


    As expected, two maids stood outside the room. They didn’t react when she stepped out. She didn’t acknowledge them either. Their presence had been constant since her first day here. Her father wasn’t taking any chances. She had overheard them once-he had ordered more security to make sure she wouldn’t try anything. Not even jumping out of the window.


    Emery snorted under her breath.


    She took one step forward when a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side. Her back hit the wall, and she looked up quickly.


    It was James.


    Her brother looked the same-pressed shirt, sharp eyes, always moving like he didn’t have enough time. He nced down at her, keeping his grip loose.


    “Are you alright?” he asked.


    Emery didn’t answer. She just looked at him. Why was this bloke here? She thought.


    “I only found out you came home today,” James said. “I flew back as soon as I heard.”


    “I’m fine,” Emery said.


    “I also heard about the engagement,” he added. “I argued with Father about it. He’s not listening to anyone right now. If you need help getting out of here-”


    I can handle myself,” Emery said, cutting him off.


    James opened his mouth to say something else but stopped. He looked at her for a long moment. “I know Father can be–”


    “I know, James. You don’t need to remind me.”


    James clenched his jaw. “Emery, if you want to leave now, I can help you. You don’t have to go downstairs. It’s not-”


    “I already said-”


    “Emery!” James hissed, his eyes narrowed. “I know you’ve been saying that you can handle yourself, but damnit! Will you listen to me!?”


    Emery’s lips thinned. Seeing this, James continued. “Father invited Mr. Moregardh, and he is downstairs waiting for you.”


    Emery said nothing in response. In fact, she already knew that this would happen. Her father would never give her a chance to leave this ce. Inviting her ‘future’ husband was the only thing that he could do.


    “So, if you want to leave-”


    “I am not leaving,” Emery said. She met her brother’s eyes. “Thank you for your concern. I am not leaving.”


    “Will you stop being so stubborn? I know that man Samuel hurt you but please, think about this. Take some time to think about this marriage,” he said. “Look… I know you-I know you don’t want this marriage.” James looked frustrated. “That man is almost father’s age. This is wrong. I can stop this.”


    Emery didn’t say anything. She just looked at him, waiting for him to stop. James could be overbearing and sometimes hateful, but he had always been like this. Always helping her out in the shadows. Despite his ws, the man had always treated her like his sister, even in secret.


    Emery let out a quiet sigh. “I can handle myself,” she said.


    She shook off his hand and turned toward the stairs. Her heels made soft, even steps against the polished wood as she descended. As soon as she reached the ground floor, she could hear the faint clinking of silverware andughtering from the next room.


    She walked toward the sound, her steps steady. The living room opened into a wide, formal space with high ceilings andrge windows. Several people were seated around the room-men in tailored suits, women in expensive jewelry. Her father stood near the center, speaking to a man Emery recognized immediately from the file she had read.


    Carl Moregardh.


    Adam noticed her and smiled. He gestured for her toe closer.


    Emery approached without hesitation.


    “There she is,” Adam said. “Carl, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Emery.”


    Carl turned toward her, standing as he did. His eyes moved over her, slowly. First her face, then her neck, then down the length of her dress. He didn’t try to hide it. It was deliberate. His gaze lingered too long at her waist and hips, as if he were sizing her up. Then he smiled and extended his hand.


    “A pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Emery.”


    Emery stared at his hand for a little too long before she met his eyes and smiled. “Carl, is it?” Despite this, she didn’t shake his hand. Emery kept her eyes on Carl, ignoring his outstretched hand. She had spent the past two days researching him- his name, hispanies, his marriages.


    Three wives, all dead. Two of them were almost half his age. Except for his first wife, who died because of cancer, the other two women’s causes of death didn’t hold up under even basic scrutiny. Sudden illnesses. idents. No investigations. No questions.


    She didn’t like what she saw. And she didn’t like how her father actually thought she would agree to marry this man. At some point, Emery started to wonder if her father had gone senile. He shouldn’t have… right?


    Seeing her in a daze, her father stepped in almost immediately.


    “Emery,” Adam said, his voice low. “Is this how you greet your future husband?”


    Emery opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, another voice echoed from the entrance.


    “I didn’t know my granddaughter was about to marry someone.”


    The room went quiet. All heads turned. Emery turned too, eyes locking on the woman walking into the living room.


    Her grandmother!


    Perfect timing, Emery thought. Now the real game was starting.