since she was a little girl.
On the night Michael proposed he presented her with a diamond ring on bended knee. She felt like a princess from a fairy tale, so when his kisses became more insistent she gave herself up to the moment. He led her into the bedroom, and she ignored the tiny seed of warning that flashed to life, chalking it up to nervousness.
Afterward, he held her in his arms while she cried, telling her it would get better because her virginity made it difficult. When he left he promised they would tell her father the news of their engagement in the morning.
Chandler stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. As she sat on the edge of the lacy Victorian comforter, the years faded away as the memory of her ultimate betrayal played in slow motion before her closed eyes.
She saw herself arriving at her father’s office, filled with excitement. Breezing past his secretary’s empty desk to the partially closed door. Stopping short as she heard Michael’s voice say her name. Listening in horror to the conversation enfolding, trapped in a nightmare of her own making.
“It’s all taken care of,” Michael said. He threw a bunch of documents on the desk. “Chandler was ecstatic. I did my part old man, now it’s time you sign the papers.”
Alexander Santell chuckled. “Not so fast, dear boy. The agreement was the delivery of the contracts after the wedding ceremony. I didn’t hear a set date.”
“I’ll convince her to speed up the normal process. She’s eager to marry me, and I see no need to wait more than a couple of weeks.”
“I knew you’d be perfect for her the moment I laid eyes on you, and my daughter’s reaction proved me right.” A booming laugh rang out. The sound echoed and bounced off the paneled walls of his office. “Three months ago I thought the Walterson contract would be impossible to close. The most prestigious investor in the city almost ran for the door when he heard my daughter wasn’t settled down. Can you believe such outdated crap? He actually told me he only felt secure investing in a firm that showed values and stability, which he translated as family.”
Chandler huddled at the door. Her stomach lurched as Alexander Santell’s words drifted up to her ears. “That’s the first man I’ve dealt with who didn’t care about my profits. He was concerned that if I dropped dead Chandler would inherit control and not have a husband.” Alexander snorted. “As if my daughter needed one.”
“Then why me?” Michael asked smugly. “If you’d been certain she didn’t need a husband you would’ve convinced Walterson she could handle the company. Instead you offered me a full partnership the moment I put a ring on her finger.”
“Walterson was impossible to convince. That’s when I decided to introduce you to my daughter.” Alexander lit a cigar and puffed furiously. “Chandler’s a good girl but she's started to stray. All those crazy psychology courses and projects. Books can’t help you in a business deal when you have to go in for the kill.” Silver brows lowered into a frown. “Ever since her momma died when she was young, I promised myself I’d give her something that would last forever. And I’ve succeeded. My daughter was born to run this company and keep the family name alive, even though she may be a bit soft-hearted. I haven’t broken my back all these years just so she could get some notion in her head about finding herself.”
“I assume Walterson approved of Chandler’s decision?”
“The man lit up like a Christmas tree when I let him know she was safely engaged. He agreed to sign the contracts after the wedding.”
Michael sighed. “Chandler’s a bit of a romantic. She wouldn’t have agreed to this marriage if she didn’t
On the night Michael proposed he presented her with a diamond ring on bended knee. She felt like a princess from a fairy tale, so when his kisses became more insistent she gave herself up to the moment. He led her into the bedroom, and she ignored the tiny seed of warning that flashed to life, chalking it up to nervousness.
Afterward, he held her in his arms while she cried, telling her it would get better because her virginity made it difficult. When he left he promised they would tell her father the news of their engagement in the morning.
Chandler stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. As she sat on the edge of the lacy Victorian comforter, the years faded away as the memory of her ultimate betrayal played in slow motion before her closed eyes.
She saw herself arriving at her father’s office, filled with excitement. Breezing past his secretary’s empty desk to the partially closed door. Stopping short as she heard Michael’s voice say her name. Listening in horror to the conversation enfolding, trapped in a nightmare of her own making.
“It’s all taken care of,” Michael said. He threw a bunch of documents on the desk. “Chandler was ecstatic. I did my part old man, now it’s time you sign the papers.”
Alexander Santell chuckled. “Not so fast, dear boy. The agreement was the delivery of the contracts after the wedding ceremony. I didn’t hear a set date.”
“I’ll convince her to speed up the normal process. She’s eager to marry me, and I see no need to wait more than a couple of weeks.”
“I knew you’d be perfect for her the moment I laid eyes on you, and my daughter’s reaction proved me right.” A booming laugh rang out. The sound echoed and bounced off the paneled walls of his office. “Three months ago I thought the Walterson contract would be impossible to close. The most prestigious investor in the city almost ran for the door when he heard my daughter wasn’t settled down. Can you believe such outdated crap? He actually told me he only felt secure investing in a firm that showed values and stability, which he translated as family.”
Chandler huddled at the door. Her stomach lurched as Alexander Santell’s words drifted up to her ears. “That’s the first man I’ve dealt with who didn’t care about my profits. He was concerned that if I dropped dead Chandler would inherit control and not have a husband.” Alexander snorted. “As if my daughter needed one.”
“Then why me?” Michael asked smugly. “If you’d been certain she didn’t need a husband you would’ve convinced Walterson she could handle the company. Instead you offered me a full partnership the moment I put a ring on her finger.”
“Walterson was impossible to convince. That’s when I decided to introduce you to my daughter.” Alexander lit a cigar and puffed furiously. “Chandler’s a good girl but she's started to stray. All those crazy psychology courses and projects. Books can’t help you in a business deal when you have to go in for the kill.” Silver brows lowered into a frown. “Ever since her momma died when she was young, I promised myself I’d give her something that would last forever. And I’ve succeeded. My daughter was born to run this company and keep the family name alive, even though she may be a bit soft-hearted. I haven’t broken my back all these years just so she could get some notion in her head about finding herself.”
“I assume Walterson approved of Chandler’s decision?”
“The man lit up like a Christmas tree when I let him know she was safely engaged. He agreed to sign the contracts after the wedding.”
Michael sighed. “Chandler’s a bit of a romantic. She wouldn’t have agreed to this marriage if she didn’t
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