"I asked a question. What is going on here?" Jerome repeated after a while of deafening silence from his children.

Aaron's eyes wandered from his older brother to his sister and then to his father.

"Sarah is engaged to her boss."

Both of his older siblings threw him a glare.

"What?" Jerome's voice drew back their attention.

This time, the older man fixed his sight on his daughter. His brows had casually drawn together, and his eyes were a mixture of worry and confusion.

"It's nothing," Saint said with a discomfort chuckle. "Aaron misunderstood. Sarah is not marrying her boss. Right?" He looked at his sister, expecting her reply to follow.

She met his gaze before drifting it to her father.

"Yes," Sarah replied. Saint was about to release a sigh of relief when she continued.

"I said yes to Ramsey Blackwell."

Jerome's eyes moved from her to Saint and back to her. The furrow between his brows went deeper. "You—I... what?" Jerome stuttered.

She went to her father's side to help him walk. "Please sit down and I'll explain everything."

Soon, the Millers were all seated in their living room. Their eyes stayed glued on Sarah, anticipating her big explanation.

Sarah had to think hard. She always told herself that she would tell them the truth when the time was right. But in reality, she never thought she could find the right time and manner to break the news to them. How would she explain she was getting into a contractual marriage for financial aid? Of course, she couldn't say that. Yet, she needed to tell them something. Anything believable, especially seeing as Saint was already opposed to the idea.

"Um, Ramsey and I have been talking for some time... then he asked me to be his wife."

Sarah's eyes bounced between her father and the ground.

"I don't understand. You... Are you saying you've been dating him all this while? Since when? How—how come you didn't say anything?" Jerome looked at her with so much care in his eyes.

It was difficult for Sarah to see that so she lowered her eyes more often from him.

"Because... because..."

"Because it's not true." Saint interrupted. He'd been sitting with his arms folded across his chest.

Saint sat up, unfolding his arms as well.

"No offense Sarah but you're very naïve. He knows that and that's why it's so easy for him to use you. Do you think a man like him would sincerely ignore all the best women that exist to settle with you? Why?"

"Saint," Jerome called, followed by a look.

Sarah gulped and lifted her chin. "I know I didn't attend college. I know that I'm not the most pretty in the room. But it doesn't mean Ramsey thinks that way just because you do."

"Umm..." Aaron started as he stood on the threshold of the living room. None of them had noticed when he stood up and left.

"I have to agree with Saint on this one, sis. These guys aren't just rich." Aaron lifted his eyes to them from his phone. "They're, like, super rich. Old money, generation upon generation level rich. We're ants compared to them."

Sarah steadily sucked in a deep breath, feeling a knot in the pit of her stomach.

Sure, she knew they were wealthy but not as far as Aaron just described. A part of her has always pushed the thought about the difference in their world to the back of her mind. There was no use dwelling on it. After all, it was clear from the onset what their marriage would be about. Now, this new understanding was gradually thrusting her into a pit of fear and insecurities.

"Okay. Okay, that's enough." Jerome proclaimed without looking at anyone in particular.

He ran a hand over his face and then looked at Sarah. "I want to meet with Ramsey. He wants to marry my daughter, so I need to hear what he has to say."

Saint sighed loudly, rolling his eyes away from them, and stood on his feet to leave.

"Wait." Sarah stood on her feet. "Can't you trust my decision and be happy for me?"

He turned to face her. "I wish I could. But I know you, Sarah. When this eventually goes sideways, you'll be hurt the most... I have to go to work."

"I told you not to do that anymore. You need to concentrate on your studies..."

"Well, that was before you got fired." Saint blurted while he was on his way out of the living room.

Sarah gently sat down. Her eyes drifted to her father whose pair detailed comfort.

"Give him some time. He'll come around."

Sarah bit her bottom lip. Saint had always been difficult to bring around. She knew his words stemmed from a place of care. Most of the time, they have to argue before he would fall in line. When his height hadn't surpassed hers, it was a little easier to control him. But ever since that wasn't the case anymore, it was like he had an awakening that maybe he knew better.

... Just until Saint becomes a medical doctor and Aaron makes something of himself.

She encouraged herself.

* * *

"I don't understand. I've seen this maid and I remember the women from your past relationships. It doesn't add up, Ramsey."

"Sarah," Ramsey mentioned and Dominic kept staring at him.

"Her name is Sarah."

"Fine. Regardless of her name, she doesn't fit into our world and I must say, I'm disappointed in your choice."

Ramsey scoffed.

"You and Mum fit perfectly into the same world but it doesn't stop you from living here most of the time."

Dominic stared at his son for a while without an expression. Suddenly, he got up and walked to the mini bar on the side.

"You should leave, Ramsey, if you came here to insult me."

"I didn't, okay? Frankly, I don't care anymore whether you two stay married or separated." Ramsey went to meet him where he was pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

He looked at his son.

"This is because Freya keeps pressuring you, right?"

Ramsey stayed silent.

He chuckled. "She doesn't want your brother or sister to replace me after I retire."

Dominic stopped on his way back to the sofa, one hand in the pocket of his trousers. He drank a sip from his cup.

"Don't you think marrying a mai..." He paused, noticing the look from his son. "...Miss Sarah will break her heart. It defeats the purpose of her plan for you to marry."

Ramsey sighed.

"Dad..."

"I accept her."

Ramsey blinked.

"What?"

"Yes." Dominic walked up to his son. "I mean, I said no, once in the past, and..."

He noticed his son's jaw tighten. His eyes were a brewing pair of hatred.

"Well, I'm sure you understand what I'm trying to say."

Dominic gave him a light pat on the arm before he turned away to leave.

"It was good to speak with you, son. Please close the door on your way out."

Ramsey watched as his father disappeared into the corridor towards his bedroom. Then, he left the penthouse.

He got into his car. For a few moments, he shut his eyes to revive himself and to chase away the anger that engulfed him at a point up there.

You can run away.

A voice whispered in his head.

Ramsey buried his face in his hands. That would be the worst thing he could do. He'd already come too far. He'd even gotten Sarah committed. She had lost her job because of him.

Could he be on his way to ruining her life by bringing her into all this?

Ramsey casually hit his head more times than once against the headrest of his seat.

His phone dinged and he reached into the pocket of his coat for it. There was a text message from Sarah.

* * *

In her tiny bedroom, seated on the bed, Sarah's thumbs hovered over the keyboard on her phone.

Hi. Did you get home safe?

She typed for the fifth time after several corrections. Sarah bit one of her nails and then stood up. She paced back and forth in front of her bed, experiencing hot flashes.

Finally, she sat down again.

"This is ridiculous. It's just a text message." She scolded herself while trying to control her accelerated heartbeat.

To confirm this wasn't a big deal, she clicked send without another thought.

Sarah threw her back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Along with every persuasion in her, she tried to calm her nerves. Then her phone dinged. She sat up at once to read his reply.

Not yet. I'm on my way.

Okay. She felt somewhat calmer. Most of her worries erupted because she thought she might be stepping over some boundaries.

Okay. My father wants to meet you. So, let me know whenever you're free to see him.

Sarah hesitated. Yet, she tapped send.

I'll be there in the morning.

His reply came in quicker than she expected.

A quiet relief left her lips after reading his message.

Alright. Good night.

Good night. He texted back.

Sarah kept the phone on the bed and spaced out. This entire arrangement was supposed to lighten her load. Yet, she couldn't help feeling like the weight on her shoulders was getting heavier.

* * *

Ramsey stepped into his apartment at one of the top buildings in the city. He hadn't been here in over a week. It was an all-white and grey-painted large space with exquisite furnishings. Before proceeding further, he left his coat on the sofa and picked up a remote. After pressing a button, the tall curtains slid apart to reveal an expansive night view of the city beyond a spacious balcony.

He sat on the sofa and retained his gaze on the view. For a while, he sat like that before eventually standing on his feet and making his way to the bedroom.

* * *

There was a knock on the door and Sarah left her father's side to open the door. Ramsey stood in front of her with a small smile on his face. He appeared dashing even in a tucked-in white, round-neck cotton shirt with an unzipped black jacket and a pair of black trousers. His short wavy hair had been neatly brushed back. In his hand was a bottle of wine.

"Hi," Ramsey said the first word between them.

"Hi."

"I brought this." He handed the bottle of fine wine to her.

"Thank you. Please come in." She stepped aside for him to walk in.

Sarah sucked in a deep breath in silence and made a moment of prayer to the universe before she closed the door.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please share your thoughts in the comment and vote. Thank you.