Saved the Company, Left It to Crash

Summary

After a drunken night with my best friend's older brother, I became his secret, off-the-books girlfriend.

For eight long years, I lived in the shadows. Finally, my family handed down a harsh ultimatum: I had to marry this year, or they would arrange a match for me.

"Austin," I told him, as we lay in the quiet dark of our bedroom. "My parents gave me an ultimatum. I need to get married this year."

He paused, his body tensing, before he pressed a soft, distracting kiss to my forehead.

He gave me the same old line he always did. "Just wait a little longer."