Page 87 of Bid For Me

His expression softens, and for a moment, the teasing façade drops. “You’ve been under a lot of pressure,” he says. “I just wanted to give you a break. You deserve one. But you don’t have to keep thanking me for every little thing I do, Elle. I want to do these things. Have fun with you. Spoil you. I…I want you to know how much I care.”

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, and I look away, unsure how to respond.

“Elle,” he says softly, drawing my gaze back to him. “I know this whole situation isn’t easy for you. But I want you to know...I’m trying. For us.”

The way he says it – so earnest, so genuine – makes my chest tighten. I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

Seb leans back, a small smile playing on his lips. “Alright,” he says, his tone lightening. “Ready for a rematch?”

“Absolutely,” I say, my own smile creeping back as we get ready for another game. By the end, my face aches from smiling and I have a stitch from laughing so much. I can honestly say it’s one of the best dates I’ve ever been on.

On the drive back, the air between us feels different. Lighter, warmer, like the cracks in the walls we’ve built are finally starting to show. And as Seb pulls up to the mansion, I can’t help but feel a glimmer of hope – a small, fragile thing, but it’s there.

Two days. The wedding rehearsal dinner and then the big day itself. Two days to get through and survive.

I’ve got this.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Seb

The morning lightstreams through the tall windows of the dining room, illuminating the tension-laden air. I sit stiffly at the massive breakfast table, my untouched coffee growing cold in front of me. Across from me, Elle looks serene, though the slight tightness in her jaw betrays her. Her teacup rests delicately in her hands, as if it’s the only thing anchoring her.

Tomorrow is the wedding.

The thought sends a thrill and a spike of dread through me. Elle and I have been playing this game so convincingly, that even I’ve started to forget where the performance ends and the reality begins.

My father’s measured footsteps echo down the hallway, and moments later, he strides into the room. He’s sharp as ever, a man who never walks into a room without commanding it. A leather folder is tucked under his arm, his expression cool and unreadable.

“Good morning,” he says smoothly.

I barely glance up, the familiar weight of his presence already setting my teeth on edge. “Morning,” I reply, my voice clipped.

Elle, ever polite, musters a soft smile. “Good morning, Mr. Sterling-Knight.”

“Alexander,” he corrects, his gaze lingering on her as he places the folder on the table in front of her. “I’m glad you’re both here. There’s a matter we need to address before tomorrow.”

My chest tightens, my shoulders locking up. I know that tone too well. “What’s this about?” I ask, my voice sharper than I intend.

“A prenuptial agreement,” my father says, as calmly as if he were discussing the weather. “For Elle to sign.”

The room goes deathly silent. My chest tightens, a familiar rage bubbling just below the surface.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I snap, pushing back my chair and standing abruptly. The legs scrape against the floor, loud and jarring in the quiet.

“I’m not,” my father replies coolly, his expression unflinching.

“This is ridiculous,” I say, my fists clenching at my sides. “Elle isn’t some gold-digger looking to cash in on our name. She doesn’t need a damn prenup.”

“Sebastian,” he says, his voice edged with steel, “this isn’t personal. It’s standard procedure for a family in our position. You know that.”

“I don’t care about ‘standard procedure,’” I snap back, my anger rising. “I won’t let you insult her like this.”

“Seb,” Elle’s voice cuts through the tension, soft but firm. She places a hand on my arm, grounding me. “It’s okay.”

I whip my head toward her, disbelief coursing through me. “No, it’s not okay, Elle. You don’t have to agree to this.”

“I know,” she replies, meeting my eyes with a steady calm that only infuriates me more. “But I don’t have anything to hide. If it puts your father’s mind at ease, I’ll sign it.”