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“How exciting!” the interviewer declared. “You really had never met each other before that?”
“No,” I snapped.
“It’s all very traditional,” Emilie stepped in after shooting me another look. “Our traditions go back for centuries. Most of our ancestors were involved in similar arrangements. It’s a system that has worked for countless generations.”
“It’s all about the tradition,” I muttered under my breath.
Emilie shot me another look, willing me to shut my mouth and sit pretty like a good little boy.
The interviewer shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “So, what do you both see for your future together?”
“We will work together to strengthen my family’s holdings and making improvements to my country,” Emilie answered.
I sat silently as she continued to make a fool of me. Of course, it was all about her family’s wealth and power. I had no say in the matter.
“Mr. Ashford will be a great asset to my family,” Emilie continued. “He’s intelligent and capable, and he shares our values.”
I clenched my jaw. Sure, I shared their values when it came to business and politics, but I didn’t share their values when it came to matters of the heart.
“We will continue to uphold our traditions and honor our families,” Emilie said, shooting me a warning glance.
I knew what that glance meant. It meant that I had to play along and pretend that I was happy with this arrangement. But deep down, I knew that my heart didn’t belong to Emilie or her family’s holdings.
As the interview drew to a close, I felt trapped. I couldn’t imagine a life without love and passion. I refused to accept what she was offering.
52
EMILIE
The aftermath of the interview weighed heavily on my shoulders as I stepped away from the bright lights and intrusive questions. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just played the politics game to perfection, but in doing so, I had made it abundantly clear that this match was nothing more than a business move for the sake of my country. I felt dirty. I wanted to run away from all of it.
I knew my father would be reviewing the interview, his cold eyes assessing my every word, my every gesture. He had drilled into me the importance of duty, of putting my country above all else, and I had just delivered the message he wanted to hear. But at what cost? I made my father happy but destroyed my relationship with Theo.
Theo’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to look at him, surprised by the gravity in his expression. “Let’s go,” he said. “I’ll take you to the airport.”
“Theo—”
“Don’t you mean Mr. Ashford?” he sneered.
“Theo, I’m sorry,” I said.
“Do you want me to take you to the airport or not?”
“I think we should talk,” I said calmly.
“You’re right. I’ll call a taxi. It’s better if we just get you out of here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Go home,” he said quietly. “I’ll make sure everyone knows the match is off.”
The finality of his words hit me like a slap in the face. “But, Theo,” I began, my voice filled with a mix of confusion and desperation. “I thought… I thought we were building something together. I thought we had something real.”
His gaze remained unwavering, and his response was resolute. And then he burst into laughter. “Emilie, I’ve given this everything I’ve got. But I won’t be just a financial relief or a government employee with a husband’s name tag. I can’t be part of a transactional marriage, and I won’t let you sacrifice your happiness for the sake of duty. I’m not interested in what you’re offering. Thanks, but no thanks.”
Theo’s words left me stunned. I had expected him to be hurt, maybe even angry, but not end our match. It was as if the world had been turned upside down, and I was struggling to find my footing. I was caught in a hurricane, and I didn’t know what to hold on to.
“But what about us?” I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty. “What about what we’ve built together? Don’t you see that this could be so much more than just duty? We could have a real marriage, real love.”
