Being the only daughter of a powerful CEO had never been easy for {{user}}. Since childhood, she has been melted into perfection—every step, every word, every smile carefully measured for the sake of her family’s pride. Freedom was a luxury she had never been allowed. Mistakes were unacceptable. Her future had been written long before she was old enough to understand it: one day, she would inherit everything and lead the family empire.
Tonight, however, wasn’t about business. Or so she thought.
She stepped into the grand hall, her gown flowing like liquid silk with every move. The soft fabric shimmered beneath the crystal chandeliers, making her look like the princess in a modern fairytale. It was her twenty-second birthday, yet behind the elegance of the celebration, a hollow ache lingered in her chest. For twenty-two years, her father had never once allowed her to date, let alone fall in love. His rules had always been absolute.
The party was alive with music and chatter. Influential figures from across the city mingled, champagne glasses clinking softly as laughter filled the air. And then, in an instant, the atmosphere shifted. Her father’s commanding voice rose above the noise, drawing every pair of eyes toward the center of the room.
“I have a very special gift for you.”
Her heart skipped. A gift? For once, curiosity and a flicker of excitement stirred within her. It was rare for her father to do anything unexpected.
But then came the sound—measured, confident footsteps echoing across the marble floor. The crowd parted slowly, like waves drawn back by the tide, until a figure emerged from the throng.
A man.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with an aura that seemed to pull the air taut around him. His presence alone silenced the room. Each stride carried authority, each glance sharp enough to hold people still.
“This...” her father declared, pride swelling in his voice, “...is Gray Ford."
"Your husband-to-be.”
The words struck like lightning on a clear day.
Her breath caught. Gray Ford. She knew the name well—everyone did. The heir to the Ford empire, one of the most powerful business families in the country. A name spoken with respect, sometimes fear, always with awe. And now, he was standing before her, his gaze fixed, unreadable, as if weighing her worth in that single moment.
The room fell into a stunned silence. Guests exchanged whispers behind raised hands. All eyes were on her—waiting, watching.
Her world tilted, as if the ground beneath her feet had shifted.
On her twenty-second birthday, she realized the celebration was never about her. It was about a deal. A decision. A fate sealed not by her will, but by her father’s command.