Mr. Thorne

CHAPTER 2

Mr. Thorne looked deep in thought as he placed the drink he was holding onto the counter. The clink of glass against the cool, polished surface seemed to echo in the quiet room, adding to the tension that hung heavy in the air. “Joanne,” he let out, heaving a heavy sigh. It sounded foreign to my ear, it was just too different to the composed expression I was used to. “I am really sorry.” he said, his large hand finding its way to my shoulders, and for a moment, I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.

But instead of breaking down in tears, I surprised myself by reaching for another drink. The drink burned its way down my throat, it was a different feeling to the cold dread that had settled in my chest. A bitter smile crept through my lips. "I am okay."

I was done with crying. There was no point to it.

There was an intense silence as he stared into my eyes, his gaze, which was usually sharp and commanding, softened as he searched my face, as if looking for a sign, as if looking for something before finally breaking the silence. "You can settle down in one of my guest rooms for tonight. By tomorrow I will annul the contract. You don’t have to worry about anything. Just leave everything to me."

“Wait! What!?” I thought as I stretched my hands to hold him. This was not what I wanted! This is not how it's supposed to end! "No," I responded, my voice low but firm. "The contract would hold, there is no need for that."

His eyebrows drew together in a puzzled frown, then there was the look of pity in his eyes that pressed his lips into a thin line, warred with something else, something I couldn't quite decipher. He took a step closer, his voice barely a whisper. "I know what this contract means to you and your brother, and I promise to support you even without this marriage holding. I can’t let you marry my son, not after what he has done to you."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I downed the remaining drink. "You are acting like we are the only ones to lose if this marriage doesn’t hold. I know how much you have at stake also." The alcohol warmed my insides, numbing the pain that threatened to overwhelm me. Mr. Thorne would lose more than just a strategic alliance; he would lose face, power, and perhaps even the respect of his peers.

His chuckle was low, almost amused, but his eyes held a glint of something else, it was one of the things about him that always fascinates me. "I will find a way around it," he said confidently.

I shook my head while handing him the now empty glass. "The contract would hold!" I declared, my voice rising slightly.

He opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off. "But I won’t be marrying Rylan."

The room seemed to hold its breath as the words hung in the air. Mr. Thorne's hand, which was about to refill my drink, froze. His face, a mask of controlled emotions for so long, cracked, revealing a mixture of shock and something close to anger.

"You know he is my only son, right?" His voice was low, a dangerous calm settling over him.

I took a bold step forward, meeting his gaze head-on. "Well, the contract didn’t necessarily mention it has to be your son."

His eyes narrowed, disbelief and a flicker of irritation dancing across his features. "I might be wrong, but do you mean..."

I cut him off once more, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "You are not wrong."

A long moment of silence passed between us, the only sound that echoed through the room was the soft ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Mr. Thorne's frown deepened, and it was hard to tell if it was anger at my proposal, or frustration at the fact I kept interrupting him? Or maybe… something else entirely?

“Am old enough to be your father, Joanne!" His voice was a low growl, and I could sense how ridiculous he probably thought this was.”

“And this is a political arrangement. Age doesn’t matter!” I countered, my voice steady despite how hard my heart was pounding in my chest.

“My son is older than you!”

“With just three years,” I dismissed, my tone laced with impatience.

“You are literally a child!”

“MR. THORNE!” I couldn’t keep the exasperation from my voice.

His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed. “This is not happening, end of discussion,” he declared, slamming the glass on the counter with a force that made me flinch. He turned, his back stiff with resolve as he walked away.

A cold dread seeped into me. I couldn’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers. If reason wouldn’t sway him, I would have to guilt trip him. I just can't lose. Not against them. I would have my revenge without losing anything. Not even a dime!

“You know my uncle has a lot of political support!” I blurted out, my voice barely a whisper. His footsteps faltered, and he slowly turned to face me.

I took a deep breath. “We are orphans, with no support whatsoever, not even from our own family. My brother has a lot to learn, and without your support, he can easily be overshadowed by my uncle. We need this.”

I need this.

My voice cracked slightly, but I pressed on, determined. “Please.”