CHAPTER 2

Despite the grand feast before us, the dining room was heavy with tension. Glimmering silver candlesticks reflected warmly in the light of the chandelier, while the soft clinking of cutlery against plates sounded louder than it should have. Caila sat with her hands fidgeting in her lap, glancing at me for some kind of cue or assurance I just didn’t have to give.

I sat without it fidgeting, outwardly composed. Years of practice made it easily possible to mask my emotions, but inside, my stomach churned. I didn’t let my awkwardness show, unlike poor Caila whose emotions were painted across her face. I wished she didn’t have to witness whatever shitshow was about to go down. 

The main courses consisted of pumpkin soup in its velvety feel, a crunchy salad, and finally roasted lamb. Dad swallowed hard, several times in an effort to be jovial and create light conversation.

"So, Jace," he began awkwardly. "How's life over at Sharpe Techs? I read about the expansion into Europe. Really great job done there."

Jace hardly lifted his head when slicing the lamb. "I know," was all that he replied nonchalantly.

Undeterred, Dad tried again. "I imagine running such a large company must be so stressful. How do you have time to have fun?"

Jace paused, raising his eyes briefly to meet Dad's. "I don't."

The short reply left the room in an awkward silence. I glanced over at Caila and raised my eyebrow at her, like, Yeah, this is going great. She pursed her lips to hold in a laugh.

"Right," Dad muttered, his face flushing slightly. "Well, hard work is the cornerstone of success." Jace didn't even bother responding.

I had this overwhelming urge for the ground to open up and swallow me so I could disappear. I had no idea what the fuck this dinner was meant to entail but I wanted it over and Jace Sharpe gone. I should’ve been spending this time thinking up solutions to the business issue and Caila could’ve been working on her projects. Yet here we were.

Eventually, Dad just gave up on small talk, facing his plate as he sawed his lamb a little too aggressively. When dessert arrived—delicate slices of chocolate tart—he let his fork fall abruptly and cleared his throat.

"Mr. Sharpe, why don't we retire to my office to discuss the arrangements further?" he suggested, the tone formal as he pushed his chair back and stood.

Jace did not get up. Instead, he leaned back slightly in his chair, adjusting his cuffs while his piercing blue eyes seemed uncompromising. "We can talk about it here."

Caila and I exchanged puzzled glances before I pursed my lips.

Dad did not say a word for a moment, apparently taken aback by the reply. "Pardon?"

Jace responded- his voice cool yet clear. "I believe your daughters should be present. After all, they have a great role in it anyway."

Dad cleared his throat, grasping his chair. "Are you sure?"

"If I wasn't, I wouldn't mention it." Jace replied.

Clearly uncomfortable and pissed at being defied, Dad's eyes hesitated. There was little doubt as to who between them was the stronger of the two. He nodded finally in a stiff manner, sat back, and sour. "Very well."

For one whole minute, the only sound that could be heard in that room was the soft clink of Jace drinking from his glass of wine before setting it down. Relaxed, but in commanding posture, he rested his hands on the table and locked eyes with Caila and I.

"A few months ago," Jace started off, "your father contacted me. He proposed a marriage arrangement between myself and Aria to save Soleil Vineyards."

"What?" My voice cut like a whip, the edge sharp with incredulity. "Seriously, Dad? What the fuck? We spoke about this already? And without telling me? First Victor Hayes and now him?"

I caught Jace stiffen for a nanosecond at the mention of Victor Hayes. It was subtle and no one else noticed but I did. Dad didn't meet my gaze, his chin in the air as he instead folded his napkin.

Jace continued, undeterred by the outburst. "I refused."

I let out a harsh laugh, my eyes narrowing at my father. "Good. Because I would have said no."

Jace raised a hand, his calm demeanor unshaken as he went on as if I hadn't spoken. "Your father approached me again recently, under much more desperate circumstances. This time, I’ve decided to accept his proposal.”

“No.” My voice was firm and final. “Absolutely not.”

"I'm not finished," Jace growled out and I promptly fell shut, my cheeks and eyes ablaze with fury. Jace's sharp gaze flicked between me and Caila who say silently beside me. "I have accepted the arrangement. But there's one condition. If I'm going to save Soleil Vineyards, I won't marry just Aria. I'll marry the both of you."

The air seemed to be sucked out of the room.

Caila stared at him, gee eyes wide with incredulity. "W-What?" She whispered, her voice inaudible. My heart was ablaze for her. They would not be dragging her into this.

"Excuse me?" I called out, my voice raised now. "Are you fucking insane right now?"

Dad finally spoke, a long, tired sigh escaping him. “It's not as dramatic as it sounds—"

"Not dramatic?" I erupted, whirling on him. My chair screeched as I rose. "You seriously expect Caila and I both to marry this man? This isn't some exchange for goods in the Middle Ages, Dad!"

My heart was pounding. I looked from Dad to Jace, my mind struggling to process what I'd just heard. "This can't be real," Caila murmured.

"It is," Dad said flatly, finally meeting our eyes. "We're out of options. Soleil Vineyards is on the brink of collapse. If this is what it takes to save our family's legacy, then so be it."

Caila shook her head, her voice shaking. "But h-how...How would that even work?"

Jace's blue eyes landed on her and she shrinked backwards. I didn’t like her being  the sole focus on his icy gaze and I protectively stepped towards her with a growl.

"We would all sign the marriage contract in secret, as well as an NDA. We would be married for one year. One of you would pose as my conventional wife." He paused, his head cocking at Caila. "Which will be you. You seem more....agreeable."

Caila flushed. Was he calling my sister weak?

"This isn't just about us. Hundreds of employees depend on Soleil Vineyards. Their livelihoods are at stake." Dad cut in frustrated.

"Don't fucking put that on us," I snapped.

"Without my support, Soleil Vineyards will crumble in months. You'll lose everything." Jace said, his voice even. "The choice is yours."

My chest heaved in frustration and anger. This couldn’t be fucking real. Were they seriously deliberating this shit?

"You can't ask us to do this," Caila finally whispered to Dad, her voice shaking.

"I'm not asking," Dad said, the edge of his voice sharp as he ground his jaw. "I'm telling you what is going to be. Both of you will marry Jace Sharpe. And that's final."