Married at First Sight [On-Going]


    River went on, "I can''t sacrifice Yantail. I just can''t. Does that mean the only option


    is for Yantail to be absorbed by Lafond Group? Be one of their


    subsidiaries?"


    If he didn''t change industries, the only way to avoid rivalry would be to merge.


    But River didn''t want that. Lafond wanted to acquire Yantail-but that wasn''t what


    he wanted.


    Zachary answered, "Weren''t you already working on transforming Yantail? The


    "There are hundreds of industries out there. And in every field, there are


    opportunities for top talent. You could pivot and still thrive."


    He paused. "But River, this is your life. I can''t make that decision for you. If you''re


    not ready to make sacrifices, then stick with the status quo and see how things


    go. Maybe in a few years, things will change."


    "But," he added, "by then, you''ll be in your thirties. Grandma''s getting older. She


    lives day by day now. Who knows how long she''ll be around? She''s always talking


    about seeing her grandsons get married. We were all hoping you three-Alex,


    Rowan, and you-could settle down soon. Give her some peace."


    Zachary had also been nudging Alex and Rowantely.


    Alex was just a year younger than River, and he was pushing thirty. Rowan,


    though younger, could marry if he wanted.


    "I get it," Zachary said, "This is a lifelongmitment. You''ve got to be sure so


    you won''t


    regret itter."


    He added, gently, "But I truly believe Grandma will live to see us all married-with


    kids. She''ll make it."


    The brothers had a deep bond with their grandmother. Watching her grow old and


    struggle with health issues terrified them.


    River didn''t even want to imagine life without her.


    She was the glue of the family. As long as she was there, home felt warm and full.


    Once she was gone-even though their parents would still be around-it would


    never feel the same.


    He still remembered how painful it had been when their grandfather passed. It


    took forever to ept it.


    But with Grandma, it would be even harder.


    They had been with her even longer now. Their connection with her ran deeper.


    Zachary''s voice softened. "Think it through. Just don''t let it turn into a regret.


    You''re capable enough to lead Yantail through a transformation. I think that''s the


    best route-move Yantail into a different industry. That way, you''re no longer


    Lafond''s rival, and there''s no barrier between you and the woman you love."


    River already had an answer in his heart. But he still wanted to hear what his


    brother thought-see if they were on the same page.


    "Brother," he said, "I''ll think it through. Yantail has already started transforming. It''s


    not done yet, but we''ve taken the first step. I''ll continue down this road."


    "There''s no rush with Romina. Nothing''s going to happen overnight."


    He could guide Yantail through its transformation and still pursue her.


    Romina must have feelings for him too. Otherwise, Donovan wouldn''t have talked


    to him like that.


    Romina was probably struggling with it just as much.


    Even if she left Lafond Group, she''d always be the Lafond family''s daughter. That


    identity would never change.


    And if Yantail remained a rival, she would still feel the need to keep her guard up


    -even outside thepany.


    In the end, the smartest move was to help Yantailplete its transformation.


    Only then could they truly be on equal ground.