Page 32 of One Night in Hawaii

“I can’t believe you actually think that’s a good idea,” I said with disbelief.

“It is a good idea. The contracts will be fulfilled. You’ll get to save face with another wedding. Her parents will put out a statement taking full responsibility for the fiasco last week. They’ve come up with an excuse.”

“Oh, this should be good. What?”

My father hesitated for a moment before answering. “They’re going to say that she had a medical emergency and couldn’t go through with the wedding.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s ridiculous. No one’s going to believe that.”

“Maybe not, but it’s better than the truth,” he replied.

“And what’s the truth?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“That she realized she didn’t love you,” he said bluntly.

I felt a pang of hurt and anger course through me. I had suspected as much but hearing it out loud stung.

“I don’t want to marry someone who doesn’t love me,” I said firmly.

“I understand that, son. But sometimes in life, we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. And in this case, the greater good is our family’s reputation and your future in the world we operate in.”

I clenched my jaw. I hated the fact that my father was trying to control my life, but I also knew that he had a point. As the heir to a billion-dollar empire, my actions and decisions would always be scrutinized. And if I didn’t marry someone soon, it would reflect poorly on my leadership skills.

“What if I don’t want to be in that world anymore?” I asked. I didn’t actually mean to say it out loud, but after being in Hawaii for a week and getting to see how Shiloh lived, it was like getting a chance to check out the other side of the fence. The grass was greener.

My father didn’t say anything for several seconds. I knew that I had hit a nerve. “What are you talking about? This is your legacy, your duty, your responsibility. You don’t just walk away from your family and your company. That’s irresponsible. That is not how you were raised!”

“I know, but what if I want something else? Something more?” I asked, feeling a sense of freedom and rebellion rise up within me.

My father let out an exasperated sigh. “What is it that you want, exactly?”

“I don’t know yet. But I want to find out. I want to explore. I want to live a life that’s not predetermined by our family’s expectations and traditions.” I surprised myself with how honest I sounded.

“You set those expectations,” he shot back. “Your mother and I have always tried to support you.”

“Yes, you have,” I agreed. “I think I’ve been doing it wrong all these years.”

“Doing what wrong? Are you drunk?”

“Living,” I said. “I have spent my life living on a schedule.”

“If you break this contract, you’re throwing away a lot more than money,” he growled.

“She broke the contract,” I reminded him. “She stood me up. It’s over. I don’t have to pay her a dime. We never married.”

“No,” he said with exasperation.

“Yes, Dad. The contract stated she would have to give back Grandma’s ring. I gave her the six-carat ring as part of a contract. She broke the contract. She has to pay for half of the wedding.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, she wants to marry you. She’s ready to do it tomorrow.”

The words sank in. “Woah, woah, woah. She’s saying she wants to marry me knowing damn well I would never marry her after what she did! This is a shakedown. She wants the money! There is no way she would actually marry me.”

“Maybe, but we can’t take the chance,” he said.

“I’m calling her bluff,” I said.

“You can’t.”

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