He viciously destroys and shows everyone his absolute power, as he has never been denied in all his life. Born in wealth and luxury, raised with the best of the best, and multiplying his billion-dollar family empire… Orion Wright is a storm no one ever desires to face, for his victory will be absolute.
That being said, I’ve never seen the man. Hearing about him was enough to build a rather depressing image, all things considered. “We just need some time, a month or two, so Grant can test his new idea.”
Unbelievable.
How can he still be so delusional when it comes to my brother? He tanked a fifty-year empire in less than a year, and he still thinks Grant can save them all? “Orion won’t give youtime,” I guess, and he nods. “That really sucks.” I don’t know what else to say or why he came to me with this in the first place.
He made himself crystal clear a year ago.
“You’ve learned absolutely nothing.” I hang my head low, fisting my hands so hard my nails cut into the skin and probably draw blood as my father shouts at me. “Once again, you proved to me how useless you are to this family.” The stabbing pain ricochets through my heart, but I hold back from focusing on it.
Maybe if I ignore it, it won’t hurt this much.
“Grandma—”
“Is not the head of this family. I am, and as long as you live under my roof, you live by my fucking rules. What did I tell you about this?” He points at the contract lying on the table between us. “I asked one of our partners to find you a suitable job at a university. They offered you a good position, and you threw it away for fucking this?” He swirls his finger in the air around my library. “You’re on your own then.”
“I—”
“Starting today, you’re completely cut off. Pack your things and get out of my house.”
Thunder roars outside, making me shiver a little and bringing me back to the present. Noticing my father’s piercing stare on me, everything inside me tenses.
Usually, such stares mean nothing good for me, and thankfully, he doesn’t let me dwell on it long as he says, “Orion agreed to give us time. One more chance for us to buy our shares and keep the company in the family.”
“Well, that’s?—”
“Under one condition. If you marry him tomorrow.”
I blink, wondering if maybe I’ve heard him wrong since he refuses to elaborate and just stares at me. “I’m sorry, could you please repeat that? Because?—”
“He will give us time to prove ourselves if you marry him tomorrow.” He interrupts me before I can finish, and my jaw drops open at how nonchalant his delivery of this information is to me. “He needs a bride, and we need his help, so it seems like the perfect solution.” He shrugs. “I’ve agreed.”
The statement is so absurd that laughter bubbles up inside me, spilling out in a snort that makes him frown while agony spreads in my chest, burning me from the inside out. “You have to be kidding me, Father.” I finally push the words out, shaking my head at him. “You have to be kidding me,” I repeat.
“The family needs help, and you can provide it. You have many flaws, God knows you do.” He scans me from head to toe, and I instantly feel as if he spills dirt all over me, for how much scrutiny and judgment his gaze holds. “If there is one thing destiny has gifted you with, it is beauty. Not in a classical sense, but it would be enough to serve its purpose. At least we can use it now.”
Of course. I should have known my father would never have sought me out unless it had to do with the family business.
When will I ever learn?
My existence means very little to this man, for I’ve been a thorn in his side ever since I took my first breath.
Because my birth cost him the love of his life.
Ignoring the festering wound within me that still bleeds, I straighten up, and my voice lowers a few octaves. “I’m not even going to comment on how offensive this statement of yours is, Father. I won’t marry Orion Wright.” I point at the entrance. “Please leave.”
He jumps up and seethes, “You will do what’s good for the family.”
“What family, Father? You disowned me, remember?” Not that it’s changed much in my life, as he’s forced me to work since I was fourteen, while Grant got everything he wanted.I guess when you are the child of a whore, you don’t get to choose a thing. “And now you want to whore me out because my brother is not cut out for the business?” I click my tongue as his face turns red, and he clenches his fists so hard that his knuckles turn white. “You should never have given him the power, but then again, Grant was always your favorite. Because he’s the legitimate child, right?”
More thunder booms in the air as silence falls between us, and I hate how his indifference and hatred through the years still have the power to hurt me. What father agrees to such an arrangement? How humiliating.
And what’s wrong with Orion Wright that he needs to buy himself a wife anyway? Granted, I’ve never heard anything about his dating life or seen any of the women he’s been with, the man is a billionaire though. Surely, he has enough willing candidates to bear his name?
“I have no time for your dramatics. This marriage will be in name only and will last a year. After that, you’ll be free to divorce as long as you keep your mouth shut about the whole thing.” I open my mouth to tell him off once more, but he continues to speak. “No one expects you to do it for free.”
“Oh, is that so, Father? I guess it’s good to know that my body and freedom have a price. What a relief. Should I send my price list to Orion, or can you give it to him yourself instead?”
