Serena knew something was wrong the moment she stepped into the house.
The living room was unusually clean.
Her stepmother only cleaned like this when guests were coming… or when she wanted to impress someone.
Vanessa sat comfortably on the couch scrolling through her phone, a satisfied smile on her face. Jason sat beside her like he already belonged there.
Serena's chest tightened.
"Why is he here?"
Vanessa looked up slowly, her smile full of quiet victory.
"Because he's family now."
Jason didn't even look embarrassed.
"Hello Serena."
Serena ignored him.
Her stepmother, Mrs. Reed, walked in from the dining area.
"You're late."
Serena frowned.
"You said I should come home. I'm here. What is this about?"
Mrs. Reed didn't waste time.
"Sit down."
Serena remained standing.
"I'll stand."
Mrs. Reed's eyes hardened but she continued.
"A business associate of your uncle is interested in marriage."
Serena felt irritation rising.
"Then he should marry someone interested."
Vanessa laughed.
"That's you."
Serena's patience snapped slightly.
"I'm not marrying anyone."
Mrs. Reed's voice became sharp.
"This isn't a discussion."
Serena's stomach tightened.
"You are 24. You live in this house. You contribute almost nothing."
Serena couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"I pay part of the bills."
Vanessa scoffed.
"Pocket change."
Mrs. Reed continued:
"The man is 42. Owns several businesses. He agreed to pay a generous bride price."
The room suddenly felt suffocating.
"So that's it?" Serena said quietly. "You're selling me?"
Mrs. Reed didn't even deny it.
"Don't be dramatic. This benefits everyone."
Jason added casually:
"You should accept reality Serena. Opportunities don't come twice."
Serena looked at him slowly.
"You lost the right to advise me."
Vanessa smirked.
"You're too proud for someone with no options."
Serena's voice became dangerously calm.
"Watch me."
She turned to leave.
Mrs. Reed's voice stopped her.
"If you walk out, don't come back."
Serena paused.
"I mean it," Mrs. Reed continued. "No house. No support. Nothing."
Serena slowly turned back.
"What support?"
Silence.
"I've been supporting myself since I was 18."
Mrs. Reed crossed her arms.
"Then it shouldn't be hard."
Serena nodded slowly.
"Good."
She walked to her small room.
Packed one suitcase.
No one stopped her.
No one cared.
As she reached the door, Vanessa called out:
"You'll come back. They always do."
Serena didn't respond.
She walked out.
This time for good.
Night came quickly.
Serena sat at a small café counting her savings.
Rent.
Food.
Transport.
Not enough.
Her phone buzzed.
Email notification.
She opened it.
Her heart dropped.
We regret to inform you…
The job she hoped for was gone.
Position filled.
Her last plan disappeared.
Serena closed her eyes briefly.
For the first time… fear touched her.
She whispered:
"What now…?"
Her phone rang again.
Unknown number.
She almost ignored it.
Something made her answer.
"Hello?"
That calm voice answered:
"You sound like someone reconsidering my offer."
Serena froze.
Adrian Kingston.
"How did you get my number?"
"I told you," he replied calmly. "I find out what I need."
She should have been angry.
Instead she was tired.
"Are you always this persistent?"
"Only when something interests me."
A pause.
"And you interest me."
Her heart reacted to that sentence in a way she didn't like.
She forced herself back to reality.
"I already refused."
His answer came quietly:
"Where will you sleep tonight?"
Silence.
Her grip tightened on the phone.
"That isn't your concern."
"It becomes my concern if you accept."
She hated how logical he sounded.
"Why are you doing this?"
His answer came without hesitation:
"Because we can solve each other's problems."
Another pause.
Then he added:
"And because you won't pretend to love me."
That answer surprised her.
"Most women would."
"I'm not most women."
"Exactly."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Adrian said:
"Dinner. Tonight. Hear the full terms."
Serena hesitated.
"Just information," he continued. "You can still refuse."
Her survival instinct spoke louder than pride.
"…Where?"
He gave the address of an extremely expensive restaurant.
"I'll send a car."
"That's not necessary."
"It is."
Before she could argue, he ended the call.
Serena stared at her phone.
Life had pushed her to the edge.
And Adrian Kingston was standing there…
Offering a deal.
Not love.
Not promises.
A contract.
She whispered to herself:
"Just dinner."
But deep down…
She knew this dinner might decide her future.