Chapter 12 The Proposal
Roman returned to find Evelyn pacing the suite like a caged tiger. She whirled around the moment she heard the door open, her eyes blazing with frustration and determination.
"We need to talk about this—right now!" she demanded.
"Not here," Roman said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'm taking you somewhere private."
The thought of staying in this hotel room with him for another minute felt suffocating. "Fine," Evelyn agreed quickly. "But we're having this conversation tonight."
She followed him out, expecting to be driven to her apartment. "Do you even know where I live?" she asked as they walked to his car.
Roman didn't respond. Instead, he led her to an understated but obviously expensive vehicle waiting at the hotel entrance.
The drive was filled with tense silence. When they finally stopped, Evelyn found herself staring up at the most exclusive residential tower in the city. As they entered Roman's penthouse, she was momentarily speechless.
The space was breathtaking—floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the glittering city lights, elegant furniture that whispered old money, and priceless art that belonged in museums. This wasn't just wealth; it was power made tangible
"Sit," Roman said, gesturing toward a luxurious sofa. He moved to pour himself a drink. "Would you like something?"
"No," Evelyn refused curtly, crossing her arms defensively.
He didn't push the issue. He poured water instead and placed it in front of her before settling across from her, his intense gaze never leaving her face.
"Now we can talk properly," he said.
"Talk about what exactly?" Evelyn shot back. "The massive lie you just told everyone? Why would you announce to the entire city that I'm pregnant? What kind of game are you playing?"
Roman leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
"Marry me," he said simply.
The words were so direct and unexpected that they didn't register at first. Then they hit her.
Evelyn, who had just taken a sip of water to calm her nerves, choked on it completely, coughing and sputtering as water dribbled down her chin. She stared at him wide-eyed, as if he'd just announced he could fly.
"W-what?" she stammered, wiping her mouth frantically.
Roman waited patiently for her coughing fit to subside before repeating himself with the same calm certainty.
"Marry me."
Evelyn finally stopped choking. The shock was overwhelming. "What are you talking about? Look, I'm grateful for your help tonight, but marriage? Absolutely not!"
She stood up, ready to leave this insane conversation behind.
But his next words stopped her cold.
"You will marry me," he said with quiet authority. "It's necessary for both of us."
He paused, letting that sink in before continuing. "My father's will requires me to be married with an heir to inherit full control of the family business. I need a wife, and you need protection and power."
Evelyn stared at him, the pieces clicking into place. "So this was all planned? You orchestrated everything?"
"No," Roman said honestly. "You ending up in my hotel room was pure accident. But my decision to claim you publicly? That was entirely intentional. I'm offering you a partnership, Evelyn."
"What kind of partnership?" she asked warily.
"Maintain the pregnancy charade. Become my wife," he said, his gaze intense and unwavering. "In return, you'll have the full power and resources of the Sinclair family behind you. No one will ever be able to hurt you again. You can have your revenge however you want it. I'll help you destroy anyone who's wronged you."
Evelyn's mind was reeling. It was insane, dangerous, and would mean living a massive lie.
But when she looked into his eyes, she didn't see deception or manipulation. She saw opportunity. A chance to never be powerless again.
Roman continued, his voice taking on a harder edge. "You can agree willingly, or I can make this happen my way. And trust me, you don't want to find out what my way looks like."
Despite the implicit threat, Evelyn didn't feel afraid. Looking at him, she saw strength, protection, and the promise of power she'd never imagined having.
She thought about everyone who had betrayed and humiliated her. With Roman's backing, she could make them all pay.
Slowly, she sat back down.
"If I agree to this," she said, her voice growing stronger, "I want terms. Real terms."
Roman's lips curved in the slightest smile. "I'm listening."
"This stays a business arrangement. No... physical expectations."
His smile widened slightly. "That's not negotiable. I need a real heir, Evelyn. This marriage needs to look completely authentic to everyone, including my father."
Heat flooded Evelyn's cheeks. "You can't be serious."
"I'm completely serious. You'll be my wife in every sense of the word." His voice dropped lower, more intimate. "And given our... previous encounter... I don't think you'll find it unpleasant."
The reminder of their night together made her face burn with embarrassment and something else she didn't want to examine.
"I need time to think about this," she said weakly.
"Time is a luxury we don't have. My father expects us married within the month." Roman leaned back, completely confident. "Besides, what other choice do you really have? Your father has cut you off. Your reputation is in ruins thanks to tonight's drama. You can either marry me and gain power beyond anything you've ever imagined, or you can try to rebuild your life from nothing."
He was right, and they both knew it.
Evelyn looked at him—really looked at him. He was handsome, powerful, wealthy beyond measure. And he was offering her everything she'd need to destroy her enemies.
"Alright," she said, her voice steady and determined. "I'll marry you."
Roman's smile was satisfied and predatory. "Excellent. We'll get the marriage license tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Evelyn's eyes widened. "That's so fast!"
"Why waste time?" His tone was matter-of-fact. "You'll move in here immediately after the ceremony."
"Wait," Evelyn held up a hand. "We need to discuss boundaries. Ground rules."
Roman's expression grew amused. "Such as?"
“This is a contract marriage. There need to be... limitations on what you expect from me.”
"The only limitation," Roman said, standing and moving closer to her, "is that you honor the agreement. You'll be my wife, Evelyn. My real wife. And I'll be your husband in every way that matters."
The intensity in his voice made her shiver.
She took a deep breath as she voiced her concerns. "Because of what you did, people will talk. I was your nephew's fiancée, and. the age gap is..." She trailed off, though she must admit that he looked handsome and younger than his age, that you wouldn't notice, but the twelve-year age difference was still there.
Roman cut her off firmly. "People will talk no matter what. And for the record, I am no longer your ex-fiancé's uncle. I am your future husband." He leaned a little closer to her. "The moment Nathan sent you to another man's bed, and you ended up in mine, I was destined to claim you."
The way he sounded, made her knees feel dizzy.
“As for our age," he carried on, "I see no problem. You placed your hope on a spoiled, third-generation rich kid who threw you away. Now you're getting a man who's built his own empire. A man who knows what he wants. And what I want is you. If I have no problem with it, why should you?”
Evelyn sat staring at him, her mouth slightly open from his blunt words. He was so confident; it was hard to argue.
"But. what about the pregnancy?" she finally asked, finding her voice again. "What are we going to do? I'm not really pregnant, how long can we really fake it?"
He watched her, a slow smirk spreading over his face. "Well," he said, his voice dropping low. "Then we'll just have to make it real soon."
Her eyes widened in shock. "No way!" she exclaimed, immediately standing up from the sofa. But in two quick strides, he was in front of her. He didn't touch her harshly, but he moved with a confident speed that made her gasp. He gently pressed her back against the wall, his arms caging her in.
Evelyn gulped, her heart hammering against her ribs. The close proximity was overwhelming. He was so close she could feel the warmth from his body and smell the subtle, expensive scent of his cologne. It was a mature, powerful charm that made her head spin and her knees feel weak.
He looked down at her, his dark eyes holding hers. "You think you have a better idea?" he asked, his voice rumbled teasingly.
She couldn't speak. She could only stare up at him, her mind a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and a strange, unwanted thrill.