บท 2: Decisions

Lilian was left stunned by the sudden revelation. She turned to her younger sister, Amber, who had emerged from their shared room and had overheard the conversation.

"Did that just happen?" Lilian asked, her disbelief clear in her voice.

"Yeah, I guess so," Amber replied, her tone reflecting the gravity of the situation.

The two sisters shared a moment of shock, trying to process the bombshell that had just been dropped on them. Amber cleared her throat, breaking the silence.

"Hmm, so what are you going to do now?" she inquired, knowing that Lilian would need to make some difficult decisions.

Lilian sighed deeply, her emotions in turmoil. "Like hell, I know... I mean, am I supposed to just believe what she said? I mean, I don't think she's lying. Besides, there's no reason for her to lie about that."

Amber, ever the pragmatic one, suggested, "Do you think we should check the boxes containing Dad's documents? We might just find the contract there." The boxes in question held their father's documents and had been among the few possessions they salvaged when their lives took a downturn.

Lilian had considered disposing of those documents, but something had held her back. It felt like betraying her father's memory, despite his mistakes. She was hesitant, but given the circumstances, she had no other choice but to explore the contents of those boxes.

"I don't think there's anything here," Lilian complained after a brief search, frustration evident in her voice.

Amber, determined to help, responded, "And I don't think you're looking hard enough. Just take your time and search carefully. I know you don't want to be here, but we have to at least try to find it."

Lilian grunted as she sat carelessly on the floor, a mix of emotions washing over her. She struggled to put her thoughts into words, her weariness evident in her voice.

"I just... I mean..." Lilian started, her emotions making her speech falter. She wanted to vent her frustration and fear, to express how this intrusion had disrupted the life she had built. But the words didn't come easily.

Amber understood her sister's turmoil and replied sympathetically, "It doesn't matter. If we find it... I mean, maybe she was lying, but even then, they're more powerful and rich than we are. Could we do anything against them?"

" oh here it is, "Amber says, Lillian hurriedly takes the documents from her little sister reading it.

"she was right the contract is real and we cannot afford to break it," Amber says

Lilian nodded, her earlier resolve waning. "Yeah, but she didn't mention having to give us half of the Lanes' property, and here it says it can be broken if either of the people getting married has a criminal record or if the marriage doesn't take place before I turn twenty. I can see why they want to fulfill the marriage contract."

Lilian pondered for a moment before teasingly suggesting, "Think maybe I could get a criminal record?"

Amber couldn't help but smile at her sister's attempt to lighten the mood.

"Guess I'm getting married next month," Lillian said, blowing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

...

In the luxurious office of Caleb Lane, CEO, the atmosphere exuded power and sophistication. Caleb sat behind his tastefully designed desk, engrossed in his work, the rhythmic typing of his keyboard filling the room. The nameplate on his desk proudly displayed his prestigious title.

A gentle knock interrupted his focus, but Caleb remained unfazed. He permitted the visitor to enter without diverting his attention from his laptop.

The man who entered had a soft and approachable demeanor, his face bearing a friendly smile. He addressed Caleb with utmost respect, "Sorry to disturb you, sir, but I wanted to inform you that your grandmother appears to have visited your fiancée today." There was a pause in Caleb's typing as he absorbed this information. The man continued, "It seems she went to inform Miss Lilian about the engagement and called me now to clear your schedule for a week next month. I don't want to be presumptuous, but it looks like she has picked next month as the wedding date, a day before Miss Lilian's birthday."

Caleb's response was measured and composed. "I understand. Help me send a letter to Miss Lilian that I would like to meet her before the wedding date to get to know her."

The man, named David, nodded in acknowledgment. However, he couldn't help but express his concern. "Are you sure about not investigating her?"

Caleb took a deep breath and stepped away from his desk, walking towards the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the bustling city below. He stared out at the metropolis, his thoughts far away.

"David, I can't, in good conscience, ask you to intrude into her privacy," Caleb finally replied. "Besides, I can get to know her by myself without anybody interfering. We both know that rumors are largely lies, and most people would want a chance to drag her down. And of course, I do want to build a healthy relationship with her."

David appeared to consider this perspective. "Guess I never thought of it that way," he admitted, slightly bowing before leaving the office to carry out Caleb's instructions.

Caleb sighed and continued to gaze out at the city. His mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He couldn't shake the unease that had settled within him since the news of his impending marriage. Despite his high status and apparent success, he felt far from invincible. As he looked out at the city's lights, he couldn't help but wonder about the woman who was about to become his wife and the uncertain future that lay ahead.