Chapter 2

I looked at his gentle features and offered a polite smile.

"Mr. Preston, since Julian set this up, I assume you know the deal. My only goal right now is to get married as quickly as possible so my grandmother can have peace of mind."

Preston listened quietly.

When I finished, he arched a brow, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Alright. As it happens, I want to get married quickly, too."

I froze. I hadn't expected him to agree so easily.

Preston smoothly poured me a glass of sparkling water and slid it across the table.

"Let me give you my background. I'm with the Sterling Consortium. I handle high-level strategy. I make a good living, and I own a few properties in Manhattan."

"My family has been pressuring me, and I'm at the age to settle down. I just want to find someone grounded to build a life with. We'll sign a prenup."

He looked into my eyes, entirely focused.

"What do you think?"

I studied him.

Gorgeous, elegant, steady, and willing to marry immediately. This was a jackpot. I couldn't have asked for a better candidate.

I nodded quickly, terrified he might change his mind.

"You sound perfect. If you're on board, let's start seeing each other."

The smile on Preston's lips deepened.

"Perfect. Shall we go on a date tomorrow?"

Over the next two weeks, Preston and I saw each other constantly.

He was an absolute gentleman. Emotionally steady and entirely grounding. No matter what I asked, he would just smile and say, "Okay."

He took my shopping bags without being asked. He memorized my dietary restrictions before taking me to Michelin-starred restaurants. Even when crossing the street, he would subtly position himself to shield me from traffic.

He was exactly my type. I knew my grandmother would adore him.

So, that weekend, I brought Preston to the private assisted living facility in Long Island.

Sitting in her wheelchair, Nana took one look at Preston, grabbed his hand, and couldn't stop beaming.

Preston expertly pushed her wheelchair, strolling with her through the greenhouse garden. He even chatted with her about classical literature in fluent French.

Leaning against the glass doorframe, I watched his broad back, a profound sense of security washing over me.

Right then, my phone buzzed.

A text from Julian.

"I knew you wouldn't settle for that safe desk jockey."

"Be a good girl and wait for me to get back to New York. You won't believe the number on the check I have waiting for you."

I stared at the screen, utterly disgusted.

Without me noticing, Preston had wheeled Nana back to my side. She leaned over and caught a glimpse of my screen.

Though her eyesight was failing, her intuition was as sharp as ever. Her face hardened, and she lowered her voice.

"Who is texting you?"

I just quietly locked the screen.

Nana reached out and gripped my wrist.

"Cecilia, do not be greedy."

"Preston comes from old money, he is steady, and he treats you flawlessly. You cannot go wrong marrying him."

I pocketed my phone and hugged her shoulders.

"Don't worry, Nana. I'm going to live a good life with Preston."

Satisfied, she turned her attention back to the Ceylon tea Preston had brought her. The second she looked away, I blocked and deleted Julian's number.

Afternoon tea was a joyous affair.

The more Nana looked at her future grandson-in-law, the more she liked him. She couldn't resist bringing up the wedding.

"Preston, you two have been seeing each other for a bit now. What are your plans regarding the prenup and the wedding?"

Chapter 2

I looked at his gentle features and offered a polite smile.

"Mr. Preston, since Julian set this up, I assume you know the deal. My only goal right now is to get married as quickly as possible so my grandmother can have peace of mind."

Preston listened quietly.

When I finished, he arched a brow, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Alright. As it happens, I want to get married quickly, too."

I froze. I hadn't expected him to agree so easily.

Preston smoothly poured me a glass of sparkling water and slid it across the table.

"Let me give you my background. I'm with the Sterling Consortium. I handle high-level strategy. I make a good living, and I own a few properties in Manhattan."

"My family has been pressuring me, and I'm at the age to settle down. I just want to find someone grounded to build a life with. We'll sign a prenup."

He looked into my eyes, entirely focused.

"What do you think?"

I studied him.

Gorgeous, elegant, steady, and willing to marry immediately. This was a jackpot. I couldn't have asked for a better candidate.

I nodded quickly, terrified he might change his mind.

"You sound perfect. If you're on board, let's start seeing each other."

The smile on Preston's lips deepened.

"Perfect. Shall we go on a date tomorrow?"

Over the next two weeks, Preston and I saw each other constantly.

He was an absolute gentleman. Emotionally steady and entirely grounding. No matter what I asked, he would just smile and say, "Okay."

He was exactly my type. I knew my grandmother would adore him.

So, that weekend, I brought Preston to the private assisted living facility in Long Island.

Sitting in her wheelchair, Nana took one look at Preston, grabbed his hand, and couldn't stop beaming.

Preston expertly pushed her wheelchair, strolling with her through the greenhouse garden. He even chatted with her about classical literature in fluent French.

Leaning against the glass doorframe, I watched his broad back, a profound sense of security washing over me.

Right then, my phone buzzed.

A text from Julian.

"I knew you wouldn't settle for that safe desk jockey."

"Be a good girl and wait for me to get back to New York. You won't believe the number on the check I have waiting for you."

I stared at the screen, utterly disgusted.

Without me noticing, Preston had wheeled Nana back to my side. She leaned over and caught a glimpse of my screen.

Though her eyesight was failing, her intuition was as sharp as ever. Her face hardened, and she lowered her voice.

"Who is texting you?"

I just quietly locked the screen.

Nana reached out and gripped my wrist.

"Cecilia, do not be greedy."

"Preston comes from old money, he is steady, and he treats you flawlessly. You cannot go wrong marrying him."

I pocketed my phone and hugged her shoulders.

"Don't worry, Nana. I'm going to live a good life with Preston."

Satisfied, she turned her attention back to the Ceylon tea Preston had brought her. The second she looked away, I blocked and deleted Julian's number.

Afternoon tea was a joyous affair.

The more Nana looked at her future grandson-in-law, the more she liked him. She couldn't resist bringing up the wedding.

"Preston, you two have been seeing each other for a bit now. What are your plans regarding the prenup and the wedding?"