Imdiately she leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees, her hands locked together tightly. "It’s just too sudden. And knowing how they operate, I don’t think this is a family reunion. I think they’re planning sothing. And I need to be very careful this ti."
Then Oliver leaned back on the couch, his eyes never leaving Cora’s face. He could tell she was deeply troubled her eyes were tense, her tone unsteady. He had seen her upset before, but this... this felt different.
He slowly nodded. "Yeah... I rember everything, Cora. I rember how your uncle used to treat you. I rember what Clinton did that ti at the event how smug he was, always trying to outshine you. You’ve never had peace with them."
He paused, watching her reaction carefully. "But..." he added, cautiously, "what if you’re overthinking it? I an, what if they really are just coming back in good faith? What if they want to fix things this ti?"
Cora turned to look at him sharply, her voice low but firm. "Oliver, people like them don’t do ’good faith.’ They move with reasons. With strategy. Every smile, every hug, every word, it’s all part of sothing. I’ve learned that the hard way."
Oliver let out a slow breath. "So... you really believe they’re coming back with an agenda?"
"Yes," Cora said without hesitation. "I feel it in my bones. And I can’t take any chances this ti."
At that mont, upon hearing what Cora just said, Oliver narrowed his eyes slightly. He could see the worry still sitting in her gaze despite how calm she tried to act. He leaned a little closer and asked with a softer tone, "So... what are you planning, Cora?"
He knew her too well to believe she ca all the way here without sothing brewing in her mind. "You calling here like this... I know you. That ans you’re definitely planning sothing. So... what’s up? What is it?"
Cora drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Her fingers twisted together in her lap, and her voice was low when she finally spoke. "Well," she started, "I actually know the reason my father is coming. And I hate to admit it... but I know him. I know how he thinks."
She paused for a mont and looked at Oliver as if silently asking for his full attention.
"My father is not just coming for vacation or to check up on ," she continued. "No. He’s coming to tag up with soone. To force into a marriage I don’t want. That’s the reason. That’s the only reason he ever gets involved directly like this."
Oliver blinked, a bit stunned. He opened his mouth but closed it again, letting her continue.
"He always sees marriage as important for the family. And I’m the pawn, Oliver," she said with a slight shake of her head. "He tried it before. But I ended up with Jas. But this ti, I don’t think I’ll be able to escape that easily."
Cora’s voice cracked slightly at the end, but she pushed past it.
"And as for my uncle," she added, her tone shifting to sothing more guarded, "and his son Clinton their return has nothing to do with love or family. It never does. They must be here for sothing else, and I’m telling you now... whatever it is, it’s not going to end well for ."
At that point, Oliver tilted his head slightly, studying her expression. He could see it the quiet desperation in her eyes, the way she avoided eye contact when talking about Clinton, the way her hand trembled just slightly on her knee.
He didn’t interrupt. He gave her ti.
But finally, he leaned forward and asked, with honest confusion in his voice, "Wait... wait, Cora... what is going on? Like... why would your father actually do sothing like that?"
At that mont, Cora slowly shook her head, her eyes fixed on Oliver with a seriousness that made him sit up straight. "Well," she began quietly, "that’s my father for you, Oliver. You don’t know half of the things he’s capable of. He always has a plan, and he rarely cares how it affects ."
Oliver’s brows knitted in concern. He leaned in a little, studying her face. "Cora... you’re starting to worry . What’s going on?"
She took a breath and clasped her hands tightly on her lap. "That’s exactly why I called you here today. I need your help. And it’s not just any kind of help. It’s sothing extrely important sothing only you can do."
The room went quiet. Even the ticking wall clock seed to slow down. Oliver blinked at her, unsure of what she ant, but already sensing that whatever she was about to say wasn’t sothing small.
Cora hesitated, her voice trembling just a bit. "You see, Oliver, the last ti you saw my father... you were just a teen then, still trying to find your way. My dad doesn’t know you now. He has no idea what you’ve beco, the man you’ve grown into. Which makes this... easier."
That statent made Oliver sit back slightly. His face twisted in confusion. "Cora, what are you saying?" he asked, his voice low. "What are you driving at?"
She looked directly at him, her eyes not blinking, her tone serious and firm. "I want you and to pretend," she said. "Pretend like we’re in a relationship. A serious one."
Oliver’s jaw parted slightly, clearly caught off guard. "Wait... what?"
"I need my father to believe I’m already in love with soone," Cora pressed. "That I’ve chosen soone for myself. Soone he can’t control or arrange for . I need him to believe I’m already committed, and I want that person to be you."
For a mont, Oliver just stared at her, speechless.
"I know it’s a lot," Cora added quickly. "I know it’s a huge ask. But this is the only way I can get out of whatever arrangent he’s cooking up. I know my dad. If I don’t act now, I’ll be trapped. And I trust you, Oliver. That’s why I ca to you."
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