CHAPTER 261

I walked briskly down the hallway, each step echoing off the walls as I thought of William’s unexpected proposal. My heart still pounded from the confusion and disbelief I felt, and as I reached his suite, I pushed the door open without knocking. William looked up from the couch, surprised, but his face settled quickly into a guarded expression.

"Margarette," he started, getting up.

“No, you don’t get to start,” I cut him off sharply. “What was that out there, William? That…that proposal wasn’t part of any agreement.”

He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Margarette, listen. I know it was sudden, and it wasn’t what we planned, but I had no choice.” His voice was calm, rational, as though we were discussing a business deal gone awry rather than my fake engagement.

“No choice?” I repeated, incredulous. “There is always a choice. And you chose to put on a show in front of those cameras—one that you know full well I didn’t ask for and certainly didn’t agree to.”

William loo