One Ruined Night, One New Beginning

When I didn't budge, Sam leaned in, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper. "Don't forget that our business deal hinges on this marriage. If you make a mess of things now, it screws us both. Your grandfather is watching from above. You don't want to let him down, do you?"

He knew my grandfather's dying wish was to secure this partnership and protect our family's legacy. That was why Sam was so smug, certain I'd swallow my pride no matter how far Candace pushed me.

I clenched my fists, meeting his gaze with icy resolve. "The partnership was my grandfather's dream, but my dignity isn't your plaything."

...

I shoved past him, grabbed my clothes, and stormed into the bathroom. When I emerged, fully dressed, he was lounging on the couch, stubbing out a cigarette.

"Feeling better?" he asked, as if nothing had happened. "Get some sleep. We've got to visit your family tomorrow."

"No need for that," I said, my mood too raw to engage. "This marriage is over. Pretend it never happened."

He shot to his feet, stunned. "What's this nonsense? You're making a mountain out of a molehill over nothing."

"Talk about overreacting," Candace chimed in, twirling my grandfather's seal in her hand as she poked her head out of the study. "Wedding night pranks are supposed to bring good luck. What kind of bride flips out like this?"

I rushed over and snatched the seal. "Who gave you permission to touch this?"

It was the only thing my grandfather left me, a symbol of my right to lead the Myers Group, but now a corner was chipped, exposing a jagged scar.

Candace flinched at my outburst and hid behind Sam with a pout. "I'm sorry. I just thought the stone was pretty and wanted to hold it. I didn't know it was so fragile."

"Why are you yelling?" Sam sulked, shielding her. "It's just a stone seal. Chipped, so what? I'll have someone carve you a new one."

"Just a stone?" I snarled, slapping him. "This is the only thing my grandfather left me! You let her ruin it, and you think a replacement fixes that? Should I replace your mother with a new one after I drive her to her grave?"

I pointed at the seal's damaged edge. "Look at this! It's clearly been smashed against the table on purpose! Are you blind, or do you just not care?"

His head snapped to the side from the force of my slap, anger flashing in his eyes. He glanced at the seal, then waved a hand dismissively.

"Fine, I understand that it's important to you," he said. "But she didn't mean it. Candace's been frail since she was a kid. Stress can trigger her condition. Can't you just let it go? We're family now. Why sour things over something so small? We'll all have to face each other eventually."

I swallowed my rage, snatching the seal back. "Family? I'd rather die than be part of yours. Agreeing to this marriage was the biggest mistake of my life!"

Candace let out a piercing scream, clutching her chest and collapsing to the floor, convulsing. "My heart... Sam, it hurts so much."

Sam went pale with panic. "Candace, what's wrong? Don't scare me!"

He scooped her up, glaring at me with raw fury. "Happy now? You had to push her to a breakdown, didn't you?"

With that, he rushed toward the door. I stood my ground, unyielding. "You're worried about her episode, but what about me? She humiliated me in front of thousands and ruined my grandfather's keepsake. Do you think I'm not in pain?"

He paused, looking back with a conflicted look. "Her condition could kill her. Can't you be reasonable? Let me get her settled, and I'll explain everything later."

Without waiting for my response, he disappeared through the door.