Ace's POV
The meeting had gone better than I had expected it to go.
I had landed and secured a major business partnership with one of the top companies in the world, a deal that had been In the works for months, now finally mine. The contract was signed, the ink still fresh, and for once, everything felt like it was falling into place.
I left the office quickly, not wanting to waste time around there.. I needed to get home, to breathe for a moment, I needed to get away from the handshakes and the congratulations.
As soon as I pushed open the front door of our home, I was greeted by the soft popping sound of a cork and the unmistakable sound clink of the glass.
My father stood in the center of the living room, already on his feet, a glass of champagne raised in his hand.
His smile was wide and was a proud one. "To my son," he beamed. "The man of the hour."
I couldn't help but smile back. For all the stress it took for me to get here.
Then my father moved towards me, holding his own glass cup with a proud grin.
"This is incredible, Ace," he said, gripping a hand on my shoulder. "You've made us proud. This partnership? It puts us miles ahead. Do you have any idea how much this adds to our family's name? To our reputation?"
I gave him a small nod, offering a small smile in return. "Glad it worked out."
"It didn't just work out," he continued, his voice raising with excitement, "it's a power move. You're playing in the big leagues now, son. This…this is the kind of thing that would boost your legacy"
I opened my mouth to say something, maybe a thank you, but then he added to his words, "And with Vanessa by your side, this just seals everything. Business, status, image, she's exactly what the family needs right now."
My smile faded, completely. But I said nothing
I just nodded again, and my lips pressed together, trying to let the conversation pass.
I didn't want to talk about her.
But of course, he didn't just let the conversation pass.
My father leaned in a little closer to me swirling the drink in his glass as if he was preparing to toast to some future.
"You know," he began, "marrying Vanessa….it's not just about love. It's about the responsibility. The Stability. All the Public image. And she's not just a pretty face, she's smart, presentable, and comes from a family with influence. With her by your side, you'll be expected to handle more, the company would be in good hands."
I arranged myself slightly, the glass I had collected hand suddenly felt heavier than before.
"She's the kind of woman that fits a man like you," he continued. "Not just emotionally, but strategically. Once you marry her, more doors will open. Bigger ones."
The weight of It sounded like a heavy burden I didn't want to go through.
I could only nod faintly. The more he spoke, the more uneasy I became.
Although the wedding was still far from now, the thought of just standing beside Vanessa and looking her in the eye and repeating those vows that meant nothing. It all felt like a burden and not a blessing.
The Image alone. Vanessa in white, smiling like she had won something, clinging to me like I was a trophy, it made my chest tighten and I didn't want that life. I didn't want her.
But I kept my face composed and calm nodding when necessary and pretending to take in my father's word.
Because the only thing keeping me going.
The only thing giving me even a sliver of hope.
Was Leah.
And her promise.
The way she looked at me that day, the confidence in her eyes when she said she would expose Vanessa, that she would reveal the truth,whatever that truth was, I believed in her.
I was holding on to it.
To her.
Because if Leah followed through with her plan…
Then maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't have to marry a woman I didn't want.
As my father kept talking, his voice drowned in the back of my mind, he was full of excitement about the marriage, the family name, the future and I found myself drifting.
My thoughts pulled from him and straight to Leah.
What really changed her mind?
What made her suddenly decide to accept me back, to let me in again after everything? I didn't push too hard when she let me close again and I was just grateful she did.
But I would be lying if I said I hadn't noticed anything.
She was different. Maybe I should've questioned it more, but I didn't
But instead…
I found myself falling in love with her more. Madly, even and more than before. Every time she looked at me it felt so calm and it only pulled me in deeper.
As my father still kept on talking about the wedding venues and guest lists and the photo, my mind slipped again.
Back to the spa.
Back to Vanessa.
The way she acted all around me, holding on to my arm, even forcing a blush when it was obvious she was watching Leah more than enjoying whatever the spa was meant to give. She thought she was hiding it well, she thought she was hiding her jealousy, her insecurity, but I saw right through her..
It was clear and immature.
That spa day was supposed to be peaceful. A gift. But it turned into yet another reminder of everything wrong about this engagement.
And sitting here now, listening to my father talk about Vanessa like she was some goddess. That memory only opened another crack in the wall, that I had been trying so hard to hold.
One more very clear reason why I didn't want her as my wife.
Why I never did.
Just then, as if the whole wasn't already stacking on, my father reached into a drawer beside the couch and pulled out a small, velvet box.
He opened It slowly with a smile and proudly, like he was unwrapping a treasure.
Inside was an elegant piece of jewelry, delicate and expensive, and was meant for someone who was being welcomed into the family.
"For Vanessa," he said with a smile. "A gift from us to our future daughter-in-law. I want you to give it to her personally tomorrow."
I stared at the box for a moment, everything in me wanted to refuse. To say, she's not the one.
To say, there won't be a wedding.
But I didn't.
Instead, I nodded a little. "Sure," I said. "I'll take it to her."
Because the last thing I needed was to bring up any suspicion.
But deep down, I had already made up my mind.
There was no going back.
No matter how many times they called her "future daughter-in-law". No matter how many times they prepared for her.
Vanessa would never be my wife.
As long as I had a say in it.
I would stall the wedding. Delay everything and stretch it out until Leah was ready.
Until she had whatever evidence she had and whatever truth about Vanessa.
Because I know it. Vanessa won't last long. She wouldn't. She shouldn't. I didn't want her.
There was only one woman I saw at the altar waiting for me and it wasn't Vanessa.
It was Leah.