TBG - Chapter 18: A Deal with Destiny

The soft rays of sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. Nadia stirred, her body reluctant to leave the warm embrace of her bed after the whirlwind of emotions from last night’s celebration. Memories of the party replayed in her mind: Theodore’s announcement, the flashes of cameras, the whispers of the crowd. It all felt surreal.

Pushing the covers aside, she slid her feet onto the cool floor and stretched. The house was quiet, save for the faint clinking of plates and the hum of the coffee machine from the dining area. She followed the sounds, her steps light but purposeful.

As she approached, the sight waiting for her warmed her heart. Chris was sitting at the table, a plate of greens in front of him, along with a glass of vibrant juice—freshly mixed with fruits and vegetables. Beside him, his medications were neatly arranged, a reminder of the battles he’d been fighting so bravely.

“Good morning, Nads!” Chris greeted her with a bright smile, his voice cheerful and energetic.

Nadia stopped in her tracks, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. Her little brother looked healthier than he had in months. His cheeks had regained some color, his eyes sparkled with life, and his posture seemed stronger. She walked over, leaned down, and pressed a tender kiss to his head.

“Good morning, little one,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Her tears welled up but didn’t fall. She couldn’t break down now, not in front of him. “You’re looking so much better. I thank God every day for this miracle.”

Chris chuckled, his grin widening. “It’s all because of you, Nads. You never gave up on me. You’ve done so much.”

Nadia brushed her fingers through his hair, her lips curving into a soft smile. “You’re the reason I keep going, Chris. Seeing you like this makes everything worth it.”

Their tender moment was interrupted by the sound of heels clicking against the floor. Miranda entered the room, holding a tablet in one hand and a steaming cup of coffee in the other. She looked as poised as ever, her sharp eyes glinting with amusement.

“Well, if it isn’t the star of the hour,” Miranda teased, her lips curling into a sly grin.

Nadia turned to her with a confused expression. “What are you talking about?”

Miranda placed the tablet on the table and slid it toward Nadia. “You’re officially the talk of the town, darling.”

Frowning, Nadia picked up the tablet and glanced at the screen. Her breath hitched as her eyes scanned the headlines plastered across multiple news outlets. Every major publication, both local and international, had featured her and Theodore’s appearance from last night’s party.

“Theodore Thatcher and His Stunning Fiancée: Wedding Date Revealed!”

“Thatcher Enterprises Celebrates 40 Years of Success—Fiancée Steals the Show!”

“Theodore Thatcher’s Announcement Shocks the Elite!”

Images of her and Theodore were everywhere. The picture of him holding her hand as they stood before the crowd was front and center, capturing the moment perfectly. Her black backless dress shimmered under the lights, while Theodore’s sharp suit complemented his commanding presence.

“This is insane,” Nadia whispered, scrolling through the articles. The photographs painted a picture of glamour and sophistication, but all she could think about was how staged it all felt.

“It’s part of the plan,” Miranda reminded her, taking a sip of her coffee. “This is what we wanted—attention, credibility, and believability. And we’ve got it. You and Theodore are the power couple everyone’s talking about.”

Nadia set the tablet down, her mind racing. “And this...this is just the beginning, isn’t it?”

Miranda’s grin widened. “Exactly. Which brings me to the next part. Once you and Theodore are married, you’ll move into his house in Los Angeles. It’s only natural. People will expect you to be living under the same roof.”

Nadia’s heart sank. “What about Chris?”

Miranda’s expression softened. She placed a hand on Nadia’s shoulder and spoke with uncharacteristic gentleness. “Chris will stay here, where he’s comfortable and where he has everything he needs. I’ll make sure of it. There are stay-in doctors on call 24/7, and I’ll personally oversee his care. You don’t have to worry.”

Nadia bit her lip, torn between her responsibilities as a sister and the charade she’d agreed to play. Before she could voice her hesitation, Chris spoke up, his voice calm but firm.

“I’ll be okay, Nads,” he said, his eyes meeting hers. “You’ve done so much for me already. You don’t need to worry about me. Focus on what you need to do.”

Nadia’s chest tightened. She crouched beside him, taking his hand in hers. “I’m doing all of this for you, Chris. Every single thing. You’re my family, my everything.”

Chris smiled, his expression full of trust and understanding. “I know. And that’s why I’ll always be proud of you.”

Miranda cleared her throat, breaking the emotional moment. “You’ll visit him often, of course. And this arrangement won’t last forever. Just until everything settles.”

Nadia nodded, though her heart still felt heavy. She kissed Chris’s forehead and whispered, “I love you, Chris.”

“I love you too, Nads,” Chris replied, squeezing her hand.

Miranda took a seat at the table, her tablet still in hand. “Now, about the headlines...you’ll need to get used to the attention. The cameras, the questions, the whispers—it’s all part of the game.”

Nadia sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I just hope I’m doing the right thing.”

“You are,” Miranda said firmly. “And trust me, the world will believe it.”

After finishing her breakfast, Nadia leaned back in her chair, savoring the warmth of the coffee in her hands. Across the table, Chris hummed softly as he flipped through a book, and Miranda stood by the counter, typing something furiously on her tablet.

The peaceful morning was interrupted when Miranda looked up and cleared her throat. “Nadia, we need to talk.”

Nadia raised an eyebrow, setting her cup down. “What’s this about?”

Miranda strode over, placing her tablet on the table and tapping the screen. A series of documents appeared, neatly organized, each bearing Nadia’s name. “It’s about our next step. Victor still has doubts about you.”

Nadia tensed, her heart sinking. “Of course, he does. I’m not actually who he thinks I am.”

“Exactly why we need to eliminate those doubts,” Miranda replied smoothly. “Our mission now is to make him believe you’re a legitimate businesswoman from Russia, just as Theodore introduced you.” She gestured toward the tablet. “Every paper you’ll need is already prepared. The establishments in Russia we’re referring to are now legally under your name.”

Nadia’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait...what? How?”

“Theodore,” Miranda said simply. “He purchased them outright and ensured everything is tied to you. It’s all part of making this story believable. You’re officially the owner of several businesses, including a charity organization that supports children with cancer. That’s why Theodore brought you to his office the other day—he wanted you to get familiar with the setup.”

Nadia’s stomach churned. She recalled the imposing office, the weight of Theodore’s intense gaze, and his sharp words as he discussed details she barely understood. “This is...too much. I don’t even know how to run a business, let alone convince people like Victor that I do. He’ll see through me.”

Miranda leaned forward, her expression firm but encouraging. “You don’t need to run anything. It’s all for show. But you do need to play your part convincingly. Victor is meticulous, yes, but that’s why we’ve gone to such lengths to cover every detail. You’ll present yourself as Theodore’s new business partner, someone who’s invested millions into this charity because of her passion for helping children with cancer.”

Nadia stared at her, the weight of the plan settling heavily on her shoulders. “And what if I mess up? Theodore is a perfectionist. He won’t tolerate any mistakes, especially when it comes to business.”

Miranda sighed, leaning back. “That’s why I’m here. I’ll help you prepare. I’ll make sure Theodore agrees to this—even if it’s just for show. But you need to trust me and trust yourself. You’ve come this far, Nadia. You can do this.”

Nadia bit her lip, her gaze drifting to Chris. He was quietly reading but had clearly been listening. When he looked up and saw her conflicted expression, he offered her a reassuring smile.

“You’ve done harder things, Nads,” Chris said softly. “And this...this is for kids like me, isn’t it? To help them get better?”

His words hit her like a wave, and her chest tightened. “Yes, it is,” she murmured.

“Then you’ll do great,” Chris said firmly. “Because you care. That’s all that matters.”

Miranda nodded, her expression softening. “Chris is right. You have an advantage, Nadia—you genuinely care about people. Let that shine through, and no one will question your authenticity.”

Taking a deep breath, Nadia nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll do it. But I’m going to need all the help I can get.”

Miranda grinned, already pulling up more documents on her tablet. “That’s the spirit. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you’re ready. Theodore might be a perfectionist, but he’s also pragmatic. He’ll understand the importance of this plan.”

Nadia wasn’t entirely convinced, but she knew she didn’t have much of a choice. If she wanted to keep the facade intact, she had to step into this role, no matter how intimidating it felt.

But as she left the room, her thoughts drifted to Theodore and the challenge that lay ahead. Convincing him to go along with this plan would be the hardest part.