4| The Proposal

The Sinclair estate was known for its grandness. Built from impenetrable stone, it had stood tall for generations, a fortress of wealth and legacy. It had everything—rooms upon rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, a grand piano no one played, an art gallery, a sauna.

But for a home that had everything, it lacked the only thing that mattered.

Warmth.

Ethan sat in a high-backed leather chair in the grand study—his father's study, his grandfather's before that. His father, Robert Sinclair, sat behind the enormous mahogany desk, the very place he dictated his commands like a king addressing his subjects.

Or, in this case, his family.

Across from him, Evelyn Sinclair sat with perfect posture, her expression composed, as always. There was no shortage of seating in this house, but no matter how many chairs filled the room, they all felt the same. Uncomfortable.

The study was lined with dark wood, family portraits hanging in rigid frames, a quiet reminder of generations of men who had sat in this very spot, leading Sinclair Enterprises with the same cold detachment.

Ethan barely had time to settle before his mother spoke.

"Ethan, we've arranged for you to marry Sophie Miller."

The words felt surreal.

His spine stiffened slightly, but he kept his expression neutral. Of all the possible names, why hers?

He almost asked which Sophie Miller, but he already knew. Instead, he repeated her name carefully, as if to confirm it.

"Sophie Miller?"

"You went to the same high school," Evelyn clarified.

That Sophie Miller.

He had to stop the memories from flooding in—not now, not here.

His father spoke next, his voice clipped, businesslike.

"I don't want another ambitious socialite trying to manipulate her way into our family for company shares."

Ethan almost laughed. Of course that was the reasoning behind the choice. Even with all his power, Robert Sinclair was the most paranoid man he knew. He held onto everything like it was slipping from his grasp.

Sophie wasn't a business deal. That's what made her different.

His father continued, "Sophie is from humbler beginnings, and she'll provide you with heirs without complications. It's a practical choice."

Ethan felt something tighten in his chest. Hearing her name again brought back a quiet tug of something he hadn't felt in years—a glimpse of a time when life felt lighter.

But why this? If he wasn't marrying for a business alliance, what was the rush?

Not that he questioned it. What would he gain from that?

"I understand," Ethan said, like clockwork. "I'll do what's necessary."

Evelyn's eyes softened slightly, but her resolve didn't waver. "It's for the best, Ethan. Sophie's family may not have the wealth they once did, but their reputation and values remain intact. She'll be a good match for you."

Robert's gaze sharpened. "This isn't just about you, Ethan. It's about the future of Sinclair Enterprises. You know what's at stake."

What exactly was at stake?

His parents wanted him to be married to bolster his reputation. Everyone respected a married businessman. And then there was the next topic. Heirs.

His father didn't just want a grandson. He wanted more employees to hand responsibilities off to.

It was exhausting.

Evelyn continued, her voice steady. "We've already spoken to Sophie's mother. She understands the importance of this arrangement and has given her consent."

Ethan's brows furrowed. "What about Sophie? Has anyone asked her how she feels about this?"

Robert waved off the concern. "She'll do what's necessary for her family, just as you will for yours. This isn't about feelings, Ethan. It's about practicality and ensuring the stability of our legacy."

Of course.

Because he had never been given the right to make decisions for himself.

A sharp pang of guilt twisted in his chest.

Sophie.

Sophie had always felt free to him. She had been a breath of fresh air in a world that felt suffocating. Sure, he had always known how messed up his life was, but he had at least assumed hers wasn't the same.

When did she become someone who could be tied down in an arrangement like this?

His mind flickered back to the girl from high school—the one who had looked at him with warmth, with understanding. The girl who had once spoken to him like he was just Ethan and not a Sinclair.

And now, she was being dragged into this life, into this cold, calculated world where nothing belonged to you—not even your choices.

Yet, for some reason, the idea of marrying her didn't fill him with resentment.

It filled him with something else.

Something unfamiliar.

Why him?

Why did he have to be the one to tie her down?

What if she had dreams of being with someone else? The last thing he wanted was for her to truly hate him.

Before, he had been okay with the idea of Sophie disliking him. But now?

Now, he wasn't so sure.

Ethan clenched his jaw, that familiar, suffocating feeling washing over him once again.

The weight of duty. Expectations. Legacy. The burden he could never escape.

If he said no, what would happen?

Ethan didn't want to take that chance. Instead, he took a slow breath, forcing his expression to remain impassive. Then, he nodded.

"Very well," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside. "I'll marry Sophie."

Evelyn's shoulders eased, the slightest hint of relief softening her features. Across from her, Robert leaned back in his chair, satisfaction flickering across his face.

"Good. We'll finalize the arrangements and set a date," his father said, already moving forward like it was just another business deal. "In the meantime, I expect you to maintain the same efficiency in running Sinclair Enterprises. Do not let this distract you from your real responsibility, Ethan."

Ethan stood, the weight of the conversation settling on his shoulders. "I understand, Father."

He left the study, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

He was going to see Sophie again.

Under these circumstances.

The thought unsettled him.

And yet...

The corner of his lips twitched before he could stop it. Why did that thought make him smile?

He pushed the feeling away. He needed to hold himself back—deeply, desperately.

Because if he let Sophie see too much of him, if she truly saw him now—

Would she still look at him the way she once had?

He feared that more than anything.

The boy she had known back in high school... maybe she had seen the best version of him. Now, he wasn't sure if he even liked the version of himself that existed today. Yet, the memory of Sophie's kindness stirred something in him, something long buried.

As he walked through the grand halls of the mansion, his footsteps echoed softly against the cold marble floors. The house was immaculate, pristine, a place designed to impress.

And yet, it had never felt like home.

Stepping outside, the crisp evening air brushed against his skin.

The Sinclair estate boasted an expensive, state-of-the-art air filtration system—yet somehow, within those walls, Ethan had always struggled to breathe.

Out here, beneath the open sky, he finally could. The decision had been made. The path was set. Yet, no matter how much he tried to remain detached, Sophie's name lingered in his mind.

Could he really do this? Could he truly go through with it?

********

Sophie sat at the kitchen table in her family home, wrapping her hands around the warm mug in front of her.

This house—some would call it modest, but to her, it was everything. Every scratch on the walls, every dent in the furniture told a story. It was the only place that had ever truly felt like home.

The scent of freshly baked cookies filled the air, a familiar comfort. Her mother, Martha Miller, had always loved to bake. Unlike the rest of their family, she never took to flowers, but she always made sure they were fed and full.

"Mom, don't scare me like that again. I thought something happened," Sophie said, circling her fingers around her mug.

She had rushed home, expecting the worst—her mind immediately jumping to loan sharks at the door, demanding payment. But instead, her mother had simply told her to sit down and handed her coffee.

For some reason, that scared her more.

Martha finally sat down across from her. She had been circling the kitchen for a while now, and Sophie knew that meant something was wrong.

Sophie didn't take after her mother much, but Lily did. She always imagined that her mother must have looked like Lily when she was younger—wild dark brown hair, bright almond eyes, full of life, free of worry.

But now, her mother looked weary. The lines on her face ran deeper than before.

Sophie wished she could take it all away.

Losing her father had taken its toll, and even now, Martha worked at a preschool to help with the bills. Hadn't life been unfair enough to her already?

Martha reached across the table, her warm hand trembling slightly as it covered Sophie's.

"Sophie, sweetheart," she began, her voice soft but uncertain. "There's something we need to talk about."

Sophie looked up from her tea, her stomach tightening. The way her mother avoided her gaze only made her more uneasy.

"What is it, Mom?"

Martha hesitated, pressing her lips together before exhaling, as if bracing herself.

"The Sinclairs... they've proposed a marriage." She swallowed. "Between you and Ethan."

The words landed like a blow.

The comforting scent of cookies suddenly felt out of place.

Sophie blinked, her grip tightening around her mug. "What? Why would they even suggest that?"

Martha's fingers curled around Sophie's. "I don't know, Sophie," she admitted. "I was coming home from work when Evelyn Sinclair approached me. She told me about it then."

"It's not something I ever imagined for you," her mother continued, her voice thick with emotion.

Sophie's stomach churned. "Mom."

She wanted an explanation. Why would her mother even be entertaining the thought of this?

Martha's voice dropped lower, quieter, almost afraid to say the next words.

"Sophie, they said they'll settle our debts."

Silence.

Everything stopped.

Sophie felt like she had been dropped into ice water. The heavens had finally answered all of her desperate cries—but at a cost.

Martha took a shaky breath, gripping Sophie's hands tighter. "Sophie, I know about the loans."

Sophie's breath hitched.

"The bank called," her mother whispered, voice breaking. "And I—Sophie, I can't even be upset at you for not telling me. I just feel like such a terrible mother. I should've helped you more, but instead, you carried it all on your own. I should have been the adult, but I let you be."

Tears welled in Martha's eyes as she whispered, "My baby... can you ever forgive me?"

The sight of her mother so broken with guilt shattered something inside Sophie.

Tears spilled down her own cheeks as she shook her head. "Mom, please don't blame yourself. You've always done everything for Lily and me. You've kept us safe, you've always been there. I never blamed you. Not even once."

Martha let out a quiet sob, shaking her head. "No, Sophie, please don't forgive me so easily..."

Sophie hated seeing her mother carry so much regret.

And so, she did the only thing she could. She wiped her tears and made a decision.

"Mom," she whispered. "If I marry Ethan... all of this goes away, right?"

Martha didn't even know about the loan sharks.

And thank God for that.

The idea of marrying Ethan Sinclair made Sophie's stomach churn. A man she hadn't seen in years. A man she'd never truly gotten over. A man who had played a bigger role in her life than she had ever wanted him to.

"Do you think Ethan even wants this?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. The question felt almost stupid the moment it left her lips. If he did want this, would that make her feel better?

Not like she had much of a choice.

Martha hesitated, her hand slipping back into her lap. "I don't know," she admitted. "Evelyn didn't say anything about what Ethan wanted. Soph, you know how different their world is."

Different.

Sophie knew exactly what her mother meant. Her father had been raised in wealth but abandoned it all to build a life of love with Martha—something his parents had despised him for. The Sinclair's were nothing like that.

Tears welled in Sophie's eyes as she looked at her mother—her mother who seemed so tired, but still tried to smile through her worry.

"I don't want you to feel pressured, honey," Martha said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "I want this to be your decision. Even if you say no, I don't care. If we have to sell the house, we'll sell it. We'll start over."

Sophie swallowed hard, her throat tightening with emotion. Selling the house—their home. It was one of the only things their father had left them, filled with memories of the life they had built together before everything fell apart.

Could she really let that happen?

Maybe marrying Ethan Sinclair would save the flower shop.

Maybe it would lighten the burden on her mother.

Maybe... it was the best decision she could make.

"I'll think about it," Sophie said finally, her voice cracking as she spoke. Even though, deep down, she already knew what her answer would be.

Relief flickered across Martha's face, though it didn't erase the sadness in her eyes. She reached out, brushing a tear from Sophie's cheek.

"Take your time, sweetheart."

Sophie forced a small smile for her mother, though her chest felt unbearably heavy.

As she stood and made her way to her room, the weight of it all settled on her shoulders, pressing down on her like something she could never shake.

Once alone, she sat on her bed and let the tears fall freely.

She had thought she was doing a good job carrying all the burden.

But she was wrong. In the end, it was all of them.

Their entire family.

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