Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty Four
Leon had been dreading this dinner from the very moment his father’s text came in that morning: Be home by six. Bring Charity.
He read it twice, feeling his stomach knot both times. There was no room for argument. There never was.
Now he was sat in the backseat of the car his father sent to pick them up, Charity besides him, practically growing.
She’d dressed up for the occasion—silky dress, subtle perfume, she wore a smile like she was about to receive an award.
“You’ve been quiet for a while now,” she said, nudging his arm lightly. “Are you okay?”
Leon forced a smile. “Just tired.”
“Hmm.” Charity leaned her head against the seat, satisfied. “Well, tonight is important. You should at least look excited.”
Excited.
That was the last thing he felt.
By the time they got to the dining room, his father was already seated at the head of the long table. His step mom had walked into in with a dish she just made and had placed it at the center of the table.
“Come and take a seat you guys” she said to them as they walked in, embracing Charity and giving Leon a polite nod. “Welcome, my dear,” she told Charity. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you, ma,” Charity said, all sweetness.
Dinner started off almost… normal. There was small talk about school, business, weather, the kind of empty conversation families use to tiptoe around the real topic. Leon had barely touched his food. Charity noticed, but that wasn’t where her mind was; she was too busy soaking in every approving comment from his parents
For a second there, it almost felt like a regular family gathering.
Until his father cleared his throat.
“So,” Mr. Wyatt said, resting his elbows on the table. “Down to the matter that brought us here.”
Charity straightened immediately. Leon’s fork paused midair.
His stepmother folded her hands. “We’ve reviewed the documents again. Everything is in place.”
Charity’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Mr. Wyatt gave a firm nod. “Yes. All that’s left now is for both families to agree on the final terms and sign the contract. After that, we begin the process officially.”
Leon’s heart sank.
Charity pressed a hand over her mouth, smiling behind it. “Oh my God… I didn’t know it would be this soon.”
Mrs. Wyatt chuckled warmly. “My dear, you are practically part of this family already.”
Leon stared at his father, stunned. “Dad… this soon?”
His father gave him a hard look. “You were told from the beginning that this arrangement needed to be handled quickly.”
“But—”
Mrs. Wyatt cut in gently, “Leon, with Charity’s condition, we cannot afford delays.
Once the pregnancy starts to show, the media will ask questions. Your father’s name must be protected. Everything must appear clean, organized, respectable.”
Charity turned to Leon with a soft, hopeful expression. “It’s happening, Leon.”
But to him, he felt like the walls were closing in on him.
His father continued, matter of fact, “By next week, we will meet with the Lawson to finalize the engagement ceremony. Once the contract has been agreed open and signed, you two will begin preparations. Your future depends on this, Leon. And so does this family’s reputation.”
Charity’s grin widened. Leon felt like he might choke.
The contract.
The arranged marriage.
The pregnancy everyone believed was his.
He swallowed hard, staring at the tablecloth as the conversation shifted back to logistics, dates, venues—everything he didn’t want.
Every word felt like a nail sealing a coffin.
Meanwhile, back at the hostel, Derin was doing her best to look concerned without looking too interested.
Victoria was folding clothes on her bed when Derin approached her, hesitation plastered across her face.
“Vicky…” Derin started, twisting her fingers together. “About earlier… Felicity looked really heartbroken. I didn’t want to push, but I’ve been worried.”
Victoria almost snorted. Worried, her foot. Derin wasn’t exactly subtle.
Still, Victoria kept her face calm. “She’ll be fine. She just had a rough morning.”
Derin sat on the edge of Gwen’s bed like she owned it. “Was it something serious?”
“I don’t know if it’s my place to say,” Victoria replied, stacking another folded T-shirt. “It’s Felicity’s story, so she’ll talk when she’s ready.”
“But we’re all friends, na,” Derin said quickly. “I was just… checking.”
Victoria looked up at her, meeting her gaze evenly. “That’s why I’m not dragging you into something she didn’t give me permission to share.”
Derin blinked, caught off balance.
Victoria softened her tone just a little. “She’s just hurt over some stuff that happened. That’s all I can say.”
Derin nodded slowly, but Victoria could tell she wasn’t satisfied. Her eyes still held that spark—the one people get when they smell drama brewing.
But she didn’t push.
Not yet.
She grabbed her phone, mumbling something about going to grab some food, and left the room.
Victoria let out a breath she’d been holding.
If Derin was sniffing around this early… that meant trouble wasn’t far.
Back at the family house, dessert was being served when Leon finally spoke, his voice low.
“Dad…all this sounds great but what if this isn’t just the right time?”
Charity’s smile faltered.
Mr. Wyatt’s fork stopped mid air. Slowly, he set it down. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Leon glanced at Charity, then at his father. “I just think we’re rushing. Maybe we should slow down and think this through properly.”
“There is nothing to think through,” his father said flatly. “The matter is settled.”
“But—”
“Leon.” His father’s tone was final. “You will marry Charity. That is the path forward. End of discussion.”
Leon’s throat tightened. Charity reached for his hand under the table, squeezing it.
“I know you’re scared about the baby, I am too,” she whispered. “But don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
He forced himself not to pull away.
His step mother smiled warmly at the both of them, oblivious to the storm building behind his eyes.
But inside Leon, something broke.
Because while Charity sat there glowing with the joy of becoming his future partner…
All he could think about was Felicity.
Her face.
Her voice.
Her heartbreak.
And the sickening realization that he was losing her completely.
Not because he wanted to.
But because he was being trapped into a life he never chose.