Chapter 11

MADDIE

I still can't believe what he just said. Marry him? It hasn't been a week since I asked him that same question.

"Wait, is this because of the thing I asked you when we were in the park? I just got embarrassed in front of hundreds of people on the same day of my wedding by my fiancé and my best friend. If you're only doing this because of that, I'm sorry if I become crazy for a second."

He chuckled as he stood from his chair and walked towards the mini bar. He poured himself a glass of whiskey. "You want one?" he offered.

Despite it being broad daylight, I really could use a drink right now. Things are getting pretty intense.

I stood up from the sofa and followed him to the bar. Without a word, I grabbed the glass from his hand just as he was about to take a sip. I raised an eyebrow, challenging him. He responded by squinting his eyes at me before a smirk crept across his lips. Undeterred, he reached for another glass and poured himself a fresh measure of whiskey.

Taking a deep breath, I brought the glass to my lips and took a bold sip. The whiskey burned as it slid down my throat, and I almost winced from the heat of the liquid. I could feel its warmth spreading through my chest, momentarily numbing the knot of tension that had settled there.

He watched me with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, his eyes never leaving mine. "Impressive," he said, raising his glass in a mock toast before taking a sip of his own drink. "Another one?" he offered.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. I placed the empty glass on the bar. The bitter taste of whiskey still lingers on my tongue.

He leaned against the bar, his gaze still fixed on me. "And what if I am?" he asked, his tone challenging.

I narrowed my eyes, feeling a mix of anger and defiance rise within me. "You're going to need more than just a glass of whiskey to do that," I shot back, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by my response. "Shall we put it to a test?" he said, taking a slow sip from his glass.

"No, thanks. I didn't come here to get drunk. I came here because you said you wanted to talk. "It now becomes clear that it was all bullshit." I shot back, feeling a spark of defiance.

He straightened up, his expression becoming more serious. "I'm serious about my offer, Maddie," he said, setting his glass down. "I needed a wife, and you needed money," he said before he walked towards his jacket that he had on the edge of the sofa.

He picked out something from his pocket that looked like a checkbook. He then continued to right on it and tear it from the before. Once he's finished, he hands it to me.

"What's this?" I asked, raising my eyebrow without looking at the check that he was handing in front of me.

"Ten million dollars, like you asked. I can give you more if you want to. In return, you're going to pretend to be my wife," he said.

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. "What's in it for you? Why does it have to be me? I'm sure I'm not the only woman who would jump on your offer." I can't help but ask.

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. "What's in it for you? Why does it have to be me? I'm sure I'm not the only woman who would jump at your offer." I couldn't help but ask.

His eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the intensity behind them. He chuckled softly. "The irony is, you're not jumping at my offer, Maddie. You're actually questioning it."

"Because it doesn't make sense," I replied, frustration creeping into my voice.

"It doesn't have to make sense to you, Maddie. All you have to do is accept the money and pretend to be my wife. Plain and simple," he answered, his tone matter-of-fact.

I took a step back, trying to process what he was saying. "Pretend to be your wife?" I echoed, disbelief evident in my voice. "Why? What do you gain from this?"

He leaned closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "What's in it for me is none of your business. I have my reasons, and I'm not obligated to tell them to you," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Now you'll accept my offer; that ten million dollars will be yours. You'll also be receiving a monthly allowance while you were my wife."

"Tempting," I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

His expression hardened slightly. "I don't appreciate your sarcasm, Miss Phillips."

I rolled my eyes. "And I don't respond well to threats, Mr. Grant."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Then you're free to leave, and we can both go back to our lives. But I think we both know you're not going to do that."

I hated that he was right. My father's life was on the line, and I was running out of options. But I couldn't let another man coming from Wyatt's family humiliate me and take advantage of my situation. I still have some pride to think about. "Then watch me," I snapped, grabbing my purse and heading for the door.

Before I left, I caught sight of his smirk widening into a satisfied grin. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me," he said, raising his glass in a mock toast.

I stormed out of the room, my mind racing. The audacity of the man! I couldn’t believe the position I was in and the power he seemed to hold over my life with just a few words and a cruel smirk.

As I waited for the elevator, I couldn't shake the feeling of desperation creeping back in. The reality of my father's condition weighed heavily on my shoulders. I needed that money, and I knew deep down that my options were limited. But I wouldn't let that man take advantage of my vulnerability.

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside, leaning against the cool metal wall. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. My pride battled with my desperation, each moment away from the room making the decision more agonizing.

When I reached the lobby, I hesitated. I felt a knot of frustration and helplessness tightening in my chest. I stepped outside, the cool air hitting my face, and started to walk aimlessly. Every step away from the hotel felt like a step away from saving my father. My resolve wavered, and I found myself stopping in my tracks. Am I doing the right thing?

I hadn't even stepped out of the building when my phone rang. My heart started thumping so loudly that I could almost hear my heart beating when I saw my mother's name flashing on the screen. Fear engulfed every inch of my body as soon as I answered her call.

"Mom?" I greeted.

"Maddie, your father..."

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