Typical Zoe

Mark got home to the smell of garlic and butter. Zoe was cooking.

He walked into the living room, exhausted. He barely had time to sit before Zoe appeared, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.

“Hey, Dad,” she greeted. Then she frowned. “You okay? You look stressed.”

Mark forced a smile. “Long day.”

She sighed. “Tell me about it. I had to put an arrogant man in his place today.”

Mark’s smile widened. Typical Zoe. Strong-willed, just like her late mother.

He hesitated, then took a deep breath.

“Zoe, I have something to tell you.”

“I found a way to save our company,” Mark began.

Zoe’s eyes lit up. Hope. She quickly sat next to him, eager.

“That’s amazing, Dad! What is it?”

Mark swallowed hard. He felt a pang of guilt.

How was he supposed to tell her?

Mark’s voice trembled as he looked at Zoe.

“Zoe… I’m sorry, I failed you.” He took a deep breath. “I… I found a way to save Powers Corp, but it comes with a condition.”

Zoe’s excitement faded, replaced by confusion. “What do you mean, Dad?”

He hesitated, his words coming out slower than usual.

“She wants you to marry her grandson, Adonis. For eighteen months.”

Zoe blinked. Her eyes widened.

“What?!” she yelled, standing up. “That crazy old lady wants me to marry her grandson?”

Mark’s heart broke seeing her reaction. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

“I know it sounds insane, but it’s the only way we can save the company. She’d do the paperwork only when you’re married to her grandson.”

“Eighteen months!?” Zoe’s voice cracked. “What does she think I am? a commodity?” She paced, her mind racing. “This is insane, Dad! How could you even consider it?”

“I have no choice,” Mark whispered. “This is our only shot.”

Zoe’s eyes burned with anger, her fists clenching at her sides.

“And you didn’t walk away?” she snapped. “That’s selfish, Dad. How could you even think about using me like that?”

Mark winced. The words stung, but he couldn’t deny it.

“I didn’t want to, Zoe. But Powers Corp… our family’s legacy… it’s all we have left. If I don’t do this, we lose everything. We’d lose our house Zoe. I failed your mother, and I’m failing you.”

Zoe’s face twisted with frustration. “I’m not a pawn, Dad! I’m your daughter! You don’t get to just sell me off for the company!”

“I’m doing this for us, Zoe. For our future.”

She shook her head, her voice shaking. “No. You don’t get to decide my future. Not like this.”

Mark didn’t know what to say. He had no answers. He just stared at her, guilt washing over him.

Zoe’s anger flared, her chest rising and falling with each breath.

“I can’t believe you,” she muttered, shaking her head. “You really think I’m just going to go along with this?”

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the living room. Her footsteps echoed through the house as she marched up the stairs to her room.

She slammed the door behind her, the force of it vibrating through the walls.

Mark remained seated, feeling the weight of his decisions crushing him. He had tried to do what was best, but it felt like he was losing his daughter in the process.

Back in her room, Zoe paced, her mind spinning. She was disappointed in her dad, but the truth was, he was just trying to fight for her. He was selfish, yes, thinking of giving her away for a deal, but he had always been there for her. After losing her mother at such a young age, Mark was all she had left.

She exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling up. Eighteen months. Just eighteen months and this would all be over. They would save Powers Corp, and she would be free of this ridiculous contract marriage.

Zoe stood up, resolved. She wasn’t happy about this, but sometimes sacrifices had to be made.

Without another thought, she headed for her dad’s bedroom.

She knocked and opened the door.

“Hey, Dad,” Zoe called out, her voice calmer than before. “I’ll marry him. But just for eighteen months. Then I’m out.”

Mark leaped out of his bed, his face a mixture of surprise and relief.

“Yes, dear! Thank you so much!”

Zoe forced a smile, but inside, she felt a storm of emotions swirling. She had just agreed to a deal she never thought she’d make. But for her father—and for the family business—she would see it through.

Mark’s face softened with guilt as he looked at Zoe. “I’m sorry you’re doing this, Zoe. I never wanted you to be in this position.”

Zoe forced a small smile, trying to ease his worry. “It’s okay, Dad.” She took a deep breath, her mind still processing everything. “So how do we go about it?”

“I’ll arrange a meeting with Mrs. Walter tomorrow,” he said, still looking unsure. “And… I think you’re going to see her grandson as well.”

Zoe raised an eyebrow, her tone lightening. “You mean my future husband?” she joked, the sarcasm barely masking the unease in her voice.

Mark chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he said, but his expression remained tense.

Zoe’s stomach twisted slightly, but she nodded. This was happening. And for the next eighteen months, she would do what was needed to help her father.

Mark hesitated, then added, “There’s a catch…”

Zoe tilted her head, sensing the tension in his voice. “What catch?”

Mark sighed. “He might be kind of a pain in the ass.”

Zoe smirked, her confidence returning. “That won’t be a problem. I know how to deal with people like that.”

Mark raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “I don’t know what you did to the man you met today, but you’ll be handling her grandson professionally,” he emphasized, his tone serious.

Zoe crossed her arms. “Is he crazy?” she asked, a sarcastic edge to her voice.

Mark simply nodded. “Tomorrow we’ll find out.”

Zoe sighed. Great. This was going to be fun.