My Enemy's Daughter (Edited)

chapter 43

Fiona's POV

Samuel had this way of making me feel like I was the only woman in the world. For weeks now, he'd been showering me with attention, sending me flowers, making sure I was comfortable, and listening to everything I had to say. Slowly, without realizing it, I found myself letting my guard down, feeling safer in his presence. He'd come by often, bringing thoughtful gifts or simply sitting with me in quiet conversation. But as much as I was starting to feel warmth growing between us, I still wasn't sure how I felt about his marriage proposal.

I'd catch myself wondering if I could really say yes, if I could really see myself with him forever. And then there'd be moments—small ones, really—where he'd say something that made me pause, made me sit up and remind myself not to lose sight of the bigger picture.

Like the day he casually asked me about my decision to leave my father's company.

"So, when are you going back to work with your father?" he'd asked, as we sat having coffee together.

The question caught me off guard. I stirred my cup, trying to figure out how to answer. "I'm done with that," I said quietly. "I'm happy working for Ethan's father's company now."

Samuel didn't say anything right away, but I could see the gears turning in his mind. His silence spoke volumes, but he didn't push it. He let it drop, though something about the way his eyes darkened told me he wasn't entirely okay with it. I tried to shrug it off, telling myself it wasn't important.

Then another time, he asked him about my mother. I mean, why my mom. Anyway, I told him the truth, my mom had abandoned me on my tenth birthday.

That night, she and my dad had had a serious argument. And the next morning I couldn't find her in the house. My dad told me she'd left of to be with another man. She'd abandoned him.

"So, Jake Bruckner, cold as he is, is the only relation I'm still in contact with as both my grand parents died few years after I was born" I ended my explained to Samuel. Who'd been listening intently.

I couldn't resist asking "why did you suddenly ask me about my mother"

He shook his head and said "No reason, other than curiosity since you've never mentioned her" He ended with a smile, that looked a little weird

I accepted his explanation that day, but I still help but wonder if there's been more to his question. I didn't like the doubts in my mind

The following week, Samuel surprised me. He went all out, sending a gorgeous dress to my house, wrapped in a sleek black box. There was a note tucked inside:

*"I have an important event tonight, and I want you by my side. Please say yes."*

I stared at the dress, blinking in disbelief. It had been so long since Samuel had invited me to any kind of event, let alone something as big as this seemed. I hesitated for a moment but then found myself smiling. I had no reason to say no.

That evening, when Samuel arrived to pick me up, his eyes lit up when he saw me in the dress. "You look stunning," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. His compliment warmed me, and I felt a bit of the old confidence I once had returning.

The event itself was enormous—lavish decorations, a sea of people in elegant gowns and suits, and the unmistakable hum of wealth and power in the air. As we entered, the flashing of cameras from reporters greeted us, and I found myself overwhelmed by the attention. They asked about our relationship, bombarding us with personal questions. I felt shy, unsure of how to respond, so I kept my head down, ignoring them.