Shattered vows

Georgia's POV.

I was too much of a persistent woman to want to sit on my hands and watch Andrew die so I started searching for means to raise the money.

The idea of getting a job came but no employer would be able to pay me that huge amount considering I was just a newbie.

As I walked down the street, the sun rays pricked my skin, making me feel like I was burning but this was nothing compared to becoming a widow.

'God. Where do I go?' I wondered as I watched different cars and taxis drive past me with squinted eyes.

I drove my hands over my hair, pulling my hair so hard that if it wasn't rooted to my scalp, I'd have been bald from the act.

My head welled up in different thoughts and ideas on how to get the money and then an idea popped up in my mind. On one of Andrew's surprise outings, I had recalled seeing a microfinance organization.

But that was miles away from the hospital and it'd take a long time to get back here. My lips pressed together into a thin line as I quickly thought about it.

I wanted to be by Andrew's side but I still needed money for his treatment. The only reasonable thing to do would be going to get money.

After the decision, I slid my hands down my pocket to see if I'd have any spare change for a taxi.

Luckily I had six dollars and they were enough to get me to and fro. I hailed a taxi and after a few minutes, I finally found one going towards my destination.

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Henry's POV.

Imagine being the heir to your father's wealth but you're unable to access it because you're single.

Sometimes I wonder the kind of pathetic rules that govern the Ford family. They must have something against single men and I wouldn't be surprised if they might create another rule asking singles to not attend any family gatherings.

This is one of those times I wished my father was still alive. At least I would never have had to worry about marriage if he was alive but since his death, the pressure from my mother has only increased.

Well, I wouldn't blame her. The only thing Williams Ford left behind was his chain of companies, investments and lands. Unfortunately, my family was the kind of family that was hungry for power and wealth.

This was why my mother insisted I get married soonest as my uncle had been using different methods to snatch my birthright from me.

It's crazy, I grew up knowing Richard Ford to be a noble man but ever since my father's death, he became the opposite just because of his hunger for power.

The last thing my mother would want is for Richard to succeed with one of his evil schemes and this fueled her pressure on me.

But my dear mother wouldn't understand even if I explained to her a million times. I had lied to her about moving on but heaven knows I was nowhere near moving on from Mary.

Even though I was in no way responsible for her death, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I felt I should have been there for her but we were cities apart and I was stuck in a family meeting.

I attended her funeral, I did everything possible enough to atone for not coming to see her when she requested but none of it could heal the sore in my heart.

Her absence left my heart bleeding and visiting her grave seemed to offer me peace. This is why I made it a habit to be in her city every month to relieve myself of the guilt.

But this wasn't why I was in Willowspring today, I had come because the manager I had appointed to oversee my company's branch was not being transparent with fund management.

After the opera, traitors were the next thing I hated to the core. I decided to take over the company for a while until I'm able to find someone capable enough to handle things for me.

As I turned on my executive chair from side to side, I thought about who to pick amongst the workers for the position.

My phone's vibration distracted me from my thoughts. I stared at the phone, hoping it wasn't my mother calling to talk about marriage.

Relief washed over me as I picked up the phone and it was a different person.

"What is it?" I inquired the moment I answered the call.

"Sir, there's a lady requesting to see you," the receptionist replied from the other end.

But I wasn't expecting any visitor. My brows pulled together in a frown, "Who is she and what does she want?"

"She's a customer sir and she requires our services."

"Send her in."

That was the last thing I said before hanging up. Three minutes has barely ticked by when I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," I stated in a rather low but audible voice.

The next thing I saw was a model like frame walking into the office. Her bob looking blonde hair looked really messy and her eyes were swollen but I could still tell that they were blue.

She looked disoriented and I wondered what kind of situation she must be going through that must have kept her in such a state.

"Go-good day sir," she greeted in a soft voice. Her knuckles were clasped together and her head was lowered.

I stopped turning on my chair, "Have a seat and tell me how I may help you."

Perhaps my tone was too cold or she was just naturally a frightened person.

She took a seat in front of me while biting hard on her lower lip, "I-I want to lend money sir."

The room fell silent with the only audible sound being that of the air conditioner.

My brows twitched, "Money? How do you intend to pay back?"

I'm not one to judge but from the way she looked, I was really skeptical about trusting her with my money.

She raised her head and her blue eyes stared at me with so much emotion, like she was almost pleading through her vision.

"I-I will pay up in a month's time. The situation is critical and it's between life and death, please lend me the money," her voice quivered as she finished.

I've recently been betrayed so of course it'd be difficult to believe her even though she sounded really sincere.

It was the wrong time but the memory of my mother asking me to come home with a wife invaded my mind.

I stared at the lady in front of me. She was a lady in need and I was equally in need but the situations were different. My money would solve her problems but she was the solution to mine.

A deep breath escaped my lips, "I understand your plight but I'm sorry I can't lend you money."

My statement made her stare at me in shock, her face turned pale and it forced me to finish what I had to say.

"I'd rather pay you if you do something for me."

She adjusted herself on the chair, "I'd do anything, please tell me."

I leaned forward on my chair, looking straight into her eye,

"Get married to me."