Breaking the News

The drive to Dad’s house was short, but my hands stayed tight on the steering wheel the entire way. The morning air was crisp, the kind that hinted at the first edges of autumn, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was the conversation I was about to have—and how much I hated the idea of lying to my family.

Technically, I wasn’t lying. I was getting married. That part was true. But the why, the how, and the terms? That was a whole different mess.

The old Carter house sat at the edge of town, paint peeling in spots, the front porch sagging just enough to creak when you stepped on it. Dad was on the porch swing, a mug of coffee in one hand and the local paper in the other. He looked up when I pulled into the driveway, his weathered face breaking into a smile.

“Morning, Em,” he called as I climbed the steps. “You’re out early.”

“I had some… business to take care of.”

His brows furrowed. “Bank business?”

I hesitated. “Not exactly.”

The screen door banged open behind him and Lily came out, barefoot, a paintbrush in one hand and a streak of blue across her cheek. She was twenty-three going on sixteen, with a knack for avoiding anything that looked like responsibility.

“Hey, sis,” she said, peering at me. “You look weird.”

“Thanks,” I muttered. “Can we all sit down for a minute? I have something to tell you.”

Dad set his mug on the porch railing, the swing creaking as he leaned forward. “What is it?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m getting married.”

The words hung in the air like a gunshot.

Lily’s paintbrush clattered to the porch. “You’re what?”

Dad’s eyes narrowed. “To who?”

“You don’t know him,” I said carefully. “His name is Adrian Knight.”

Lily’s jaw dropped. “Wait—the billionaire? As in Knight Enterprises? As in… that Adrian Knight?”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice flat.

Dad leaned back slowly. “Emma, this a joke?”

“No. It’s… it’s complicated.”

“That’s one word for it,” Lily said, crossing her arms. “You’re seriously telling me you’re marrying one of the richest men in the country out of the blue? When did you even meet him?”

“This week.”

“This week?” she screeched.

“Calm down,” I said. “It’s not what you think.”

Dad’s voice was low now, dangerous. “Then tell me what it is.”

I stared at my hands, fingers knotted in my lap. “He made me an offer. It’s… sort of a business arrangement. One year. In exchange, he’s paying off the café and all our debts.”

Lily made a choking sound. “Oh my God, you’re selling yourself.”

“It’s not like that—”

“What else is it like, Em?” she snapped. “Because it sure sounds like—”

“Enough,” Dad said sharply. His eyes stayed on me, steady and unreadable. “Is this because of me? Because of the café?”

“It’s because we’re drowning, Dad,” I said, my voice breaking. “The bank’s not giving us another chance. We’re out of options. This is the only way to keep the café open, to keep our home.”

His jaw tightened, the muscles working. “You think I want you sacrificing yourself for this family?”

“It’s not a sacrifice,” I lied. “It’s a contract. A year. That’s all. And then I can walk away with enough to make sure we never struggle again.”

Lily was pacing now, muttering under her breath. Dad just kept looking at me like he was trying to see through the words to whatever I wasn’t saying.

Finally, he said, “I can’t stop you, can I?”

“No,” I said quietly.

“Then I hope you know what you’re getting into.”

I didn’t answer, because the truth was, I didn’t.

By the time I got back to the café, the morning rush was over. Daniel was behind the counter, wiping down the espresso machine, and the way he looked up at me told me he already knew where I’d been.

“You told them,” he said flatly.

“Yeah.”

“And?”

“Dad’s… resigned. Lily thinks I’ve lost my mind.”

“She’s not wrong,” he muttered.

I dropped my bag on the counter. “I’m doing this, Dan. I need you to either support me or—”

He slammed the cloth down. “Or what? Walk away? I’ve been by your side through every crazy idea, every all-nighter, every disaster, and now you want me to just smile and nod while you marry a man you barely know?”

“Yes,” I said, sharper than I meant. “Because it’s my decision.”

We stared at each other for a long moment, the air thick. Finally, he turned back to the counter.

“You better hope he’s exactly who you think he is,” he said. “Because if he’s not…” He shook his head, leaving the sentence unfinished.

That afternoon, a black sedan pulled up outside the café. William stepped inside, his presence drawing curious looks from the few customers left.

“Miss Carter,” he said, “Mr. Knight asked me to deliver these.”

He handed me two boxes—one long and flat, the other smaller. Inside the first was a dress. Not white, but a deep, elegant cream, simple and understated, the kind of thing that looked expensive even without a price tag.

The smaller box held a pair of shoes. Satin. Heels just high enough to make me nervous.

“He thought you might prefer to avoid a shopping trip,” William said. “The fitting is at six tonight at the estate.”

I nodded, my throat dry.

As he left, Daniel muttered, “Guess he’s not wasting time.”

No, I thought, staring at the dress. He definitely wasn’t.

At six sharp, I stood in the foyer of the Knight Estate. The place was breathtaking—marble floors, crystal chandeliers, the faint scent of fresh lilies drifting through the air. A butler I hadn’t caught the name of took my coat, his expression polite but unreadable.

Adrian appeared at the top of the sweeping staircase, his presence commanding even from a distance.

“Miss Carter,” he said, descending. “I trust the dress fit?”

“It’s beautiful,” I admitted.

“Good. We have a lot to arrange before Friday.”

I followed him into a study lined with bookshelves and floor-to-ceiling windows. A wedding planner was already there, flipping through a leather-bound notebook. She looked like she belonged in a fashion magazine—sleek hair, red lipstick, tailored suit.

“Mr. Knight,” she said briskly, “I’ve confirmed the officiant, the photographer, and the venue. We’ll need to finalize the guest list tonight.”

“Keep it minimal,” Adrian said. “Immediate family, a few close associates. No press.”

She nodded, making notes. “And the rings?”

Adrian’s gaze flicked to me. “We’ll choose them tomorrow.”

It was all happening so fast—fittings, guest lists, officiants. I stood there, letting the current pull me along, wondering if there was still time to change my mind.

But then Adrian’s hand brushed mine—light, fleeting—and for some reason, I stayed.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***