CHAPTER 62: THE ULTIMATUM

[Carter Mansion—Evelyn’s Room]

Evelyn sat on the edge of her bed with her fingers loosely curled around a pillow she didn’t remember grabbing.

Her mind kept replaying the morning like a broken reel.

Meeting with Brian Wright had been nice. He was decent, well-spoken and polite and had really tried to create conversation. He had smiled, asked questions, even complimented her dress in a respectful way but half the time, Evelyn’s mind was far away.

She couldn’t help but constantly compare him to Alexander. From his smile to his handshake, she kept comparing everything.

And when the Brian had asked about her work, she had nodded blankly because all she could think was how Alexander would react when he learned about the meeting.

She hadn’t told him about this arranged meeting because she didn’t know how to and the guilt weighed on her chest like a stone.

Just then, a soft knock pulled her back.

"Evie?" Melissa’s gentle voice drifted through the door.

Evelyn quickly wiped her face even though she wasn’t crying, she just felt overwhelmed.

"Come in," she said softly.

Melissa stepped inside with that familiar worried smile mothers wore when they knew something was wrong even if you pretended otherwise.

She sat beside Evelyn, brushing a thumb across her cheek. "You didn’t like him."

Evelyn shook her head. "He wasn’t bad. He was actually very sweet but—" She sighed. "Mom, my heart wasn’t there. I couldn’t feel anything."

Melissa’s eyes softened. "Because your heart is already with someone else."

Evelyn looked down at her hands. She didn’t answer but her silence spoke loudly.

Melissa sighed and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Evelyn’s ear.

"My poor girl," she whispered. "All of this is too much, I can understand."

Evelyn’s throat tightened. "I don’t know what to do, Mom. Dad won’t listen and I haven’t even told Alexander about Brian yet. I didn’t know how."

Melissa frowned gently. "Alexander is understanding. You should talk to him when the time is right."

Evelyn nodded but her heart was restless.

Just then, footsteps echoed outside the hall and then there was a sharp knock.

Before either of them could answer, Gregory walked in.

He looked calmer than how he had been since yesterday which was more worrying than when he was furious.

"Dad?" Evelyn rose immediately. "What’s wrong?"

Gregory looked at her for a long moment like he was assessing her from the outside and inside at once.

Then he exhaled. "Tomorrow, another family is coming to see you."

Evelyn closed her eyes, defeated. "Of course they are." And then she scoffed. "It’s not like I have a choice."

Melissa opened her mouth to scold Gregory but he lifted a hand.

"There is a way," he said, stepping forward.

Both women froze and looked at each other

Melissa leaned forward sharply. "What do you mean?"

Gregory’s gaze slid to Evelyn. "If you want all this to stop," he said quietly, "there is only one man I will approve without question."

Evelyn frowned. "Who?"

Gregory didn’t blink and answered almost immediately. "Alexander Reid."

Evelyn’s breath caught. "W-What?"

Melissa’s eyes widened. "Gregory, what are you—? You nearly threw the boy off our property and now you are suggesting his name for marriage?"

She could not understand what her husband was trying to do.

"Yes dear, I am suggesting his name," He then turned his entire focus to Evelyn. "If you agree to marry Alexander—" he said, "I will stop looking for suitors, immediately."

Evelyn’s heart thundered.

"I—I can’t," she whispered, stepping back. "Dad, I like him but marriage? Now? It’s too soon. It’s too much."

She had barely told him that she liked him and they had been only on two dates if one considered the first one too. And now she was supposed to marry him?

Nothing made sense to her.

Melissa stood, absolutely stunned.

"Gregory," she said sharply, "You were furious with Alexander two days ago. You said he was out of Evelyn’s life then why this sudden change?"

Gregory didn’t answer her but his eyes were locked on his daughter with a mix of pressure and something else she couldn’t name.

"I am giving you a choice," he said. "And I expect you to pick one soon. We don’t have time to waste."

Evelyn felt her breath shorten. "Dad, this doesn’t feel like a choice."

Gregory’s face didn’t soften, not even a little.

Melissa watched him with growing suspicion because this wasn’t love-driven and it was definitely not a fatherly fear.

Something was behind this, something he wasn’t saying and Melissa knew her husband enough to see it.

But Gregory kept his voice steady, refusing to reveal much. "Either you marry Alexander or you marry someone of my choosing."

Evelyn felt her world tilt. She stared at him, betrayed and hurt.

"Why are you doing this to me?" she whispered. "Why now and why marriage? I am ready for marriage, dad."

Gregory swallowed but didn’t back down. "I am doing this because I am your father and I know what is best for you."

Melissa finally snapped. "Or because someone twisted you into believing this is the only path."

Gregory shot her a warning look but didn’t deny it.

"Choice is yours and I will be waiting for an answer," he said before walking out."

Evelyn helplessly looked at her mother, not knowing what to do.

"I will talk to him." Melissa gave her a reassuring look before following her husband.

....

[The Master Bedroom]

The moment Gregory closed the bedroom door behind him, Melissa rounded on him and didn’t ease into the confrontation.

"Gregory Carter," she snapped, "what on earth was that?"

Gregory sighed, loosening his tie and refusing to look at her.

"Not now, Melissa. I am tired." He tried to shrug her off but Melissa wasn’t in a mood to back down.

"Oh, no," she fired back, stepping in front of him. "You don’t get to hide behind ’tired.’ You owe me an explanation."

He closed his eyes but didn’t respond.

Melissa took a deep breath, struggling to control the anger trembling through her voice.

"You were ready to tear Alexander’s head, you dragged our daughter away from him like she was doing something wrong and now suddenly you want her to marry him?"

Gregory’s jaw tightened.

Melissa continued, trying her best to control her trembling voice. "Do you even hear how insane that sounds?"

He finally looked up but his expression hardened. "Evelyn will turn twenty-nine next month."

"So?" Melissa shot back immediately. "So what, Gregory? She is twenty-eight now, not eighty."

"It is the perfect age for marriage," he said firmly. "It always has been and she is at a stage where she needs stability."

.....