He Offered Him a Marriage Deal… After His Pregnant Daughter Was Abandoned
Chapter 12
The family held a reunion at the original Carter farmhouse.
It was smaller than the Reed estate.
Older.
Less impressive.
But Noah preferred it.
They cooked outside.
Children played in the yard.
Emily prepared food.
Ryan helped.
Alexander stood awkwardly near the grill.
Noah watched him.
“You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“I know how to grill.”
“You almost burned the chicken.”
“That was strategic.”
Noah laughed.
The sun began setting.
Alexander looked around.
“This is nice.”
Noah smiled.
“You sound surprised.”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“I spent my life in rooms where everyone wanted something.”
He looked at the family.
“Here, nobody does.”
Noah nodded.
That’s when Alexander handed him a small envelope.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
Inside was a legal document.
Noah read it.
The family trust had been changed.
The foundation would now be jointly controlled by Noah and Emily.
A significant portion of Alexander’s wealth would fund programs for abandoned spouses, single parents, and children affected by family breakdown.
Noah looked up.
“You didn’t have to do this.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
Alexander smiled.
“Because you taught me what money can’t do.”
Noah frowned.
“What?”
“Make someone stay.”
He looked around.
“But it can help people survive when someone else leaves.”
Noah’s eyes filled.
“That’s good.”
Alexander nodded.
The evening continued.
Later, Noah and Alexander sat on the porch.
“Do you remember the first day?”
Alexander smiled.
“You mean when I offered you a marriage contract?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you were going to punch me.”
“I considered it.”
“Fair.”
Noah laughed.
“Why did you really choose me?”
Alexander thought.
“Because when my investigator told me about you, he said something.”
“What?”
“He said you would never sell your daughter for money.”
Noah was quiet.
“That mattered.”
Alexander continued:
“I didn’t need a husband.”
“I needed someone whose values didn’t change when money entered the room.”
Noah nodded.
“And you found one.”
“Yes.”
They sat quietly.
After a while, Alexander said:
“I hope you know the marriage can end whenever you want.”
Noah looked at him.
“Do you want it to?”
“No.”
Noah smiled.
“Then stop talking.”
Alexander laughed.
For once, he listened.
