Chapter 7

A couple of days later, Daniel's phone started ringing, and he glanced at the screen to see an unknown number. Curious, he answered, "Hello?"

A familiar voice responded from the other side, "Hello, Mr. Reinhardt, this is Rachel."

Daniel's face lit up with a mixture of surprise and excitement. "Rachel, how are you?" he asked warmly.

"I'm good, Mr. Reinhardt. How are you?" Rachel replied, her tone polite but carrying an undertone of seriousness.

"I'm good, Rachel," Daniel said, still smiling. But before he could say more, Rachel continued, her voice becoming more focused.

"Mr. Reinhardt, there's something I need to discuss with you," she said, her words measured and deliberate.

Daniel's heart quickened, anticipating the conversation he knew was inevitable. He had a good idea of what Rachel might want to talk about, but her next words took him by complete surprise.

"I would also like to talk to Mr. Ethan if that is fine with you both," Rachel requested, her voice calm but firm.

Daniel paused, the unexpected request catching him off guard. He hadn't anticipated that Rachel would want to speak with Ethan directly. Gathering his thoughts quickly, he replied, "Of course, Rachel. That would not be a problem at all."

There was a brief silence on the line before Daniel continued, "Me and Ethan will meet you at your house around 5 p.m. today. Does that work for you?"

"Yes, that works. I'll see you both this evening then. Bye, Mr. Reinhardt," Rachel said, her voice steady.

"Goodbye, Rachel," Daniel responded, but the call had already ended.

As he lowered the phone, Daniel felt a mixture of emotions—surprise, curiosity, and a hint of apprehension. Whatever Rachel had to say, it was clear that this meeting would be significant. He quickly made up his mind to inform Ethan and prepare for the conversation that awaited them later that day.

As the clock ticked closer to 5 p.m., Daniel couldn’t help but wonder what Rachel’s true intentions were. He had expected resistance, maybe even outright refusal, but this... this was something different. He wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad sign, but he knew one thing for certain: the outcome of this meeting would shape the future in ways he hadn’t fully anticipated.

In the living room, Rachel, Maria, Paige, Daniel, and Ethan were seated on a long, comfortable sofa, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Rachel's eyes discreetly shifted towards Ethan, noticing the subtle signs of nervousness in his demeanor. His usually confident posture was slightly slouched, and his hands fidgeted ever so slightly in his lap.

Rachel’s mind buzzed with a flurry of questions. How could a man like Ethan, with his striking looks and undeniable wealth, agree to marry someone like her? Ethan was the kind of man who could have had his pick of any woman he wanted—beautiful, accomplished women who would be thrilled to be with him. So why had he chosen her? Or was there even a choice at all? Was he being forced into this arrangement just as much as she felt she was?

The thought gnawed at her. Was Ethan truly willing, or was he as much a pawn in this arrangement as she was? The possibility that he might be acting out of duty or under some form of pressure made her heart ache. She had always imagined marrying someone who loved her for who she was, not because of some pre-arranged plan made by others.

Rachel stole another glance at Ethan, trying to read his expression, but he remained inscrutable, his face a careful mask. This only fueled her doubts further. Was he hiding his true feelings, just as she was trying to do? Was there more to this marriage proposal than she had been told?

Ethan, for his part, could feel Rachel’s gaze on him, and it only heightened his own unease. He knew she must have questions—questions he wasn’t sure he could answer honestly, even to himself. He had agreed to this marriage under circumstances that were far from ideal, driven by family expectations and the looming threat of losing everything he had worked for. But sitting here now, facing the woman who would soon be his wife, he felt a pang of guilt and uncertainty. How could he offer her anything genuine when he himself was still grappling with the reality of this arrangement?

The room was quiet, with only the soft ticking of a nearby clock filling the silence. Maria and Paige sat to one side, watching the exchange with concern, while Daniel observed quietly, sensing the tension but choosing to remain silent for now.

Rachel knew she needed answers, but she wasn’t sure how to start the conversation. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to hear the truth. But one thing was certain—whatever Ethan’s reasons, whatever forces had driven them both to this point, they would need to face them together if there was to be any hope of making this marriage work.

Taking a deep breath, Rachel finally broke the silence. "Ethan, I think we need to talk," she said, her voice steady yet filled with the weight of all the questions swirling in her mind.

Ethan had anticipated this moment and had been preparing himself for it. Without hesitation, he followed Rachel as she led the way to her room. The room was simple and cute, just like her, with soft colors and a warmth that made it feel like a true haven. It was the kind of place that reflected Rachel’s personality—unpretentious, yet full of character.

Once inside, Rachel turned to face Ethan, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made it clear she wasn’t going to settle for anything less than the truth. "Why me?" she asked directly, her voice carrying a mix of vulnerability and determination.

Ethan smiled, though it was tinged with a hint of sadness. He had expected this question, and he knew that his answer would be crucial. "I know you must have a lot of questions, Rachel," he began, his voice calm and measured. "So let me start by answering the most important one: why you? The simple answer is that my father asked me to. But before you jump to any conclusions, please let me finish."

Rachel remained silent, her eyes still fixed on his, waiting for him to continue.

Ethan took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I am a man who is deeply bound to my family. I’m not okay with this marriage proposal just because my father asked me to do it. The truth is, I’ve heard a lot about you from my father, and what I heard made me curious—curious to get to know you better. I also know that my father wouldn’t choose just anyone to bring into our family. Family is everything to him, and he wouldn’t make this decision lightly."

He paused, searching Rachel’s face for any sign of how she was receiving his words. "I can assure you of one thing," he continued, his voice softening. "We might not know each other well right now, but if you choose to marry me, I promise to be there for you. I’ll support you, no matter what."

Deep down, as Ethan spoke these words, he felt a pang of guilt. He knew that what he was saying wasn’t the complete truth. There were other reasons—less noble reasons—driving his acceptance of this marriage. He was doing it for his own gain, to secure his future, to protect the life he had built. But he also knew that he couldn’t tell Rachel that. He couldn’t bear to shatter the fragile hope he saw in her eyes.

Rachel listened carefully to Ethan’s words, trying to discern the sincerity in them. There was something about the way he spoke that resonated with her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface—something he wasn’t telling her. But as she stood there, facing the man who might soon become her husband, she also realized that she wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe that this marriage could be more than just an arrangement, that it could be the start of something real.

Ethan watched as Rachel processed his words, and for a moment, they stood in silence, both aware that this conversation was only the beginning. Whatever came next, it would be a journey they would have to navigate together, with all the uncertainties and challenges that lay ahead.

Finally, Rachel nodded slowly, a small gesture that signaled her willingness to take the next step, even if she wasn’t entirely sure what that step would look like. "Okay," she said softly. "Let’s see where this takes us."

Ethan felt a mixture of relief and guilt wash over him. He had succeeded in convincing her, at least for now. But he knew that the real test would come in the days and weeks ahead, as they both grappled with the complexities of their new reality.