Too Late, Miss Chase

At the orchid presentation gala, I stood with a dozen young men, waiting to be chosen. As the illegitimate son of a casino mogul, I understood what tonight meant. No orchid, and tomorrow I’d be sent to New York for an arranged marriage. Charlotte had promised to protect me,we’d grown up together. As the heir to the Chase family ,only she could protect me in this city. I was asking for a three-year fake marriage. Just to build a career for myself. After that, she could do or love whoever she wanted. She’d agreed. But at that moment, she smiled, walked past me, and handed her orchid to Tyler. The scholarship kid. She leaned close to my ear. “”Let Tyler have his moment. He’s never had one. Don’t worry, no one’s arranging anything for you while I’m around.”” I watched Tyler take Charlotte’s arm . They looked like a couple. But I stood alone.