The Moore residence was unusually quiet that morning.
Lillian was sitting in the living room with her mother when the sound of firm footsteps came from the hallway.
Victor Moore walked into the room.
His expression was calm, but the anger beneath it was obvious.
Evelyn looked up immediately.
“What happened?”
Victor loosened his tie and dropped himself into the armchair.
“I have already dealt with the Carter family.”
Lillian looked up from her phone.
“Already?”
“Yes.”
His voice was cold.
“I called Ethan’s father this morning.”
Lillian slowly put her phone down.
Victor’s jaw tightened.
“I told him the marriage arrangement is over.
Completely over.”
Evelyn sighed with relief.
“You really ended everything?”
“I did.”
Victor leaned back, his eyes hard.
“I don’t care how profitable the agreement was or how much business our families have done together.
Nobody gets to treat my daughter like she’s some kind of business asset.”
Lillian’s lips curved slightly.
Her father was angry.
Very angry.
But there was something comforting about knowing he was angry because someone had disrespected her.
Victor continued.
“I also made it very clear that I don’t want Ethan anywhere near this family again.”
“Dad…”
Lillian’s voice softened.
Victor looked at her.
“You don’t have to worry about the Carters anymore.”
She nodded.
“Good.”
Evelyn reached over and gently touched her daughter’s hand.
“Are you okay?”
Lillian smiled.
“I am.”
She had already made peace with what happened.
Ethan was not the kind of man she wanted beside her anyway.
What happened with Adrian was completely different.
She still didn’t know him well.
But somehow, the thought of marrying him didn’t make her uncomfortable.
Victor was quiet for a moment before looking at his wife.
“There’s something else we need to discuss.”
Evelyn knew immediately what he meant.
“Adrian.”
Victor nodded.
Lillian sat up a little straighter.
Victor looked directly at his daughter.
“Your mother and I have talked about everything.”
Lillian nodded.
“And we’ve spoken with Adrian as well.”
She waited.
Victor’s expression softened slightly.
“He knows what happened.
He knows that the situation between you and Ethan is finished.”
Lillian remained quiet.
“And he is still willing to marry you.”
She blinked once.
Even though she had expected it, hearing it from her father made it feel much more real.
Victor studied her carefully.
“Lillian, I won’t force you.”
Her mother nodded.
“This is your decision.”
Victor continued,
“If you don’t want this marriage, say so.
We can deal with everything ourselves.”
Lillian looked at both of them.
There was no fear in her expression.
Instead, she seemed to be thinking carefully.
She had never been the kind of girl who needed someone else to make every decision for her.
She was twenty-one, not twelve.
She knew what marriage meant.
She knew Adrian was practically a stranger.
But she also knew what had happened.
And strangely enough, she didn’t dislike the idea.
Lillian crossed one leg over the other.
“Then I’ll marry him.”
Evelyn looked at her.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Her answer came without hesitation.
Victor raised an eyebrow.
“That quickly?”
Lillian shrugged.
“What else am I supposed to do?”
Evelyn smiled.
Lillian continued calmly,
“I know I don’t know Adrian very well.
I’m not pretending that I do.”
She paused.
“But what happened already happened.
I’m not going to spend the rest of my life being afraid of it.”
Victor’s expression became thoughtful.
Lillian leaned back.
“And honestly…”
A small smile appeared on her lips.
“I find him interesting.”
Evelyn laughed softly.
“Because it’s true.”
Lillian looked toward the window.
“He doesn’t feel like the kind of person I expected to meet.”
Victor watched his daughter for a moment.
“You’re really willing to marry a man you’ve barely known?”
Lillian looked back at him.
“Yes.”
Her voice was calm and certain.
“I’ll get to know him after we’re engaged.
Marriage doesn’t mean I have to know everything about him today.”
Victor’s eyes softened.
“That sounds like you.”
Lillian smiled.
“I’ve never been good at overthinking things.”
Evelyn chuckled.
“That is definitely not true.”
“Mom.”
They both laughed.
Victor shook his head, but there was finally a trace of amusement on his face.
“Fine.”
He picked up his phone.
“I’ll contact the Sterling family.”
Lillian’s expression changed slightly.
“Already?”
“Why not?”
Victor glanced at her.
“If you’re serious, then we should handle it properly.”
He stood.
“The Sterling family will come here so both families can discuss the engagement.”
Lillian nodded.
“Okay.”
Victor took a few steps before stopping.
“Oh, and Lillian?”
“Yes?”
“Your engagement party will be in one week.”
Lillian stared at him.
“One week?”
“Yes.”
She blinked.
Then she slowly smiled.
“Well…”
She picked up her phone again.
“I suppose I should start looking for a dress.”
Evelyn laughed.
“You’ve already started thinking about the dress?”
“Of course.”
Lillian stood.
“It’s my engagement party.”
She walked toward the stairs, then stopped and looked back.
“And Mom?”
“Yes?”
“I want something elegant.”
Evelyn smiled.
“I already knew.”
Lillian disappeared upstairs.
Victor watched her go.
Evelyn looked at her husband.
“She really isn’t nervous.”
Victor smiled faintly.
“She probably is.”
“Then why isn’t she showing it?”
“Because she’s our daughter.”
Evelyn laughed.
“That explains everything.”
Across the city, inside Sterling International, Adrian sat behind his large office desk.
The morning had been unusually busy.
Documents covered one side of the desk while his laptop displayed several financial reports.
Daniel stood across from him.
“The Singapore acquisition has been approved,” Daniel reported.
“The board meeting is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.”
Adrian nodded.
“Move it to Friday.”
Daniel paused.
“Friday?”
“Yes.”
“You’re expecting something tomorrow?”
Adrian lifted his eyes from the document.
“The Moore family.”
Daniel immediately understood.
“Ah.”
Adrian gave him a look.
Daniel quickly straightened.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Adrian returned his attention to the papers.
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
A message from his grandfather appeared.
Edward Sterling: Victor has agreed.
The engagement will be held in one week.
Adrian stared at the message for a moment.
One week.
He placed the phone down.
Daniel noticed his expression.
“Sir?”
“Nothing.”
Daniel hesitated.
“Are you actually going to marry Miss Moore?”
Adrian looked at him.
“Yes.”
Daniel blinked.
There wasn’t even a moment of hesitation.
“I know.”
“And you’re still certain?”
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
“I find her interesting.”
Daniel stared at him.
That answer sounded strangely familiar.
“Interesting?”
Adrian nodded.
“She is.”
Daniel couldn’t help smiling.
He had worked for Adrian long enough to know that when his boss became interested in something, he rarely abandoned it halfway.
Before Daniel could say anything else, Adrian’s phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
It was Ryan.
Adrian answered.
“Hello.”
Ryan’s excited voice immediately came through.
“Brother!”
Adrian moved the phone slightly away from his ear.
“What?”
“Grandfather told me!”
“Told you what?”
“Your engagement!”
Adrian was silent.
Ryan laughed loudly.
“You’re actually getting married!”
Adrian rubbed his forehead.
“Yes.”
“Wow!”
Ryan sounded genuinely shocked.
“To the girl from the club?”
Adrian paused.
“Yes.”
Ryan burst into laughter.
“I knew something interesting happened when you came back that night!”
“Ryan.”
“Okay, okay.”
Ryan tried to control his laughter.
“But seriously, I’m happy for you.”
Adrian’s expression softened.
“Thank you.”
There was a short silence.
Then Ryan asked,
“Does she know what she’s getting herself into?”
Adrian’s lips curved slightly.
“I don’t think either of us does.”
Ryan laughed again.
“That makes it even better.”
Adrian shook his head.
“Go back to your work.”
“I’m an artist.
I don’t have normal work.”
“You have a recording session.”
“That is work.”
“Then go.”
Ryan groaned.
“You’re already acting like an old married man.”
The call ended.
Adrian placed his phone on the desk.
For some reason, his mind returned to Lillian.
Her expression.
Her voice.
The way she had looked at him that night.
He didn’t know what the future would look like.
But he had made his decision.
He would marry her.
Back at the Moore residence, Lillian had just stepped into her bedroom when her phone vibrated.
She glanced at the screen.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
Adrian: My grandfather said our families will meet tomorrow.
Lillian stared at the message.
Then she smiled.
She typed a reply.
Lillian: I know.
My father told me.
A few seconds later, another message appeared.
Adrian: Are you nervous?
Lillian thought about it.
Then she smiled mischievously.
Lillian: Should I be?
The reply came quickly.
Adrian: I don’t think so.
Lillian stared at the screen for a moment.
Then she typed:
Lillian: Good.
Because I’m not.
She put her phone down.
Then, after a few seconds, she picked it up again.
She stared at Adrian’s name.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
She didn’t know him.
Not really.
But she was about to become his fiancée.
And somehow, instead of feeling frightened, she was curious.
Very curious.
So… what do you think about Lillian and Adrian?
Do you think they’re making the right decision?
And are you ready to see what happens when two families start planning their future?
Remember, new chapters drop every day!
Don’t forget to comment, review, and rate the story.
Tell me what you’re loving, what you dislike, and what you want to see more of!
See you in the next chapter!