He carried the quiet confidence of a man who was used to getting whatever he wanted.
Removing his sunglasses, he studied Emily carefully before saying he wished to speak with the family.
Inside the house, he skipped the polite introductions.
In front of Rose, he calmly explained that he could pay every debt, cover all medical treatments, and even arrange for Daniel’s early release from prison.
Their family would never struggle again.
But there was one condition.
Thomas explained that doctors had told him he had only six months left to live.
He did not want to spend those final months alone.
He needed an heir so that distant relatives would not claim his fortune when he died.
And for that to happen, Emily had to marry him—and give him a child within those six months.
Emily felt humiliation.
Anger.
Disgust.
And then calculation.
Her mother was sick.
Her father was in prison.
Desperation had been tightening around her chest for months.
Thomas would die in six months.
She only had to endure it.
Her family would survive.
So she agreed.
The wedding was quick and quiet.
No white dress.
No flowers.
Just signatures and legal documents.