Chapter Text
Helen’s daughter, Elina Sharp, was a six-year-old with striking features: white-skinned, vibrant green eyes and red hair that matched her mother’s.
“Mother? Wake up! It’s 8 o’clock now,” said Elina. “You have the meeting with the book publisher company at 10 o'clock!”
“Alright, Eli,” Helen murmured sleepily, stretching her arms overhead as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. The sun streamed through the window, casting a warm golden light that filled the room, stirring her out of slumber.
Helen made her way to the bathroom, splashing cool water on her face to fully awaken her senses. She changed into a pair of tailored black trousers and a crisp shirt that offered a touch of professionalism. Completing her outfit, she slung a beige tote bag over her shoulder.
Stepping out of her bedroom, Helen found Elina dressed in her preschool outfit. Elina was reading a cartoon book.
“Eli? Can you put the book back on your shelf? We need to leave a bit earlier than usual today,” Helen said, offering a gentle smile as Elina nodded, her hair bouncing as she set the book on the shelf with a small thud.
With her school backpack snug on her shoulders, Elina reached up and held Helen's hand, tiny fingers wrapping around her mother’s as they walked out of their apartment together.
In the car, the New York City buzzed around them—the sounds of traffic, the police sirens and the distant laughter of children. Helen focused on the road ahead.
Arriving at the preschool, they stepped out of the car and walked inside, where Elina’s teacher greeted them with a warm smile.
“Morning, Ms. Sharp,” the teacher chimed.
“Morning,” Helen replied.
“Oh, just to let you know, I might be a bit late picking up Elina today,” Helen explained, her voice slightly wavering, revealing her anxiety. “I have a final meeting with a book publisher company that could determine if I get to publish my book, change my life, and create a better future for Elina.”
The teacher’s expression softened. “I understand. We’ll take great care of her until you can pick her up.”
“Thank you so much. I truly appreciate it,” said Helen. She knelt down to Elina’s eye level, looking into her radiant green eyes. “Be a good and polite girl, alright? I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom,” Elina replied, her voice sweet and innocent as she wrapped her arms around Helen’s legs. “Good luck!”
With a smile and a nod, Helen watched as Elina entered her classroom with her teacher. Turning on her heel, Helen quickly made her way back to her car and drove towards the Ashtons Publisher building.
After parking in the underground carpark, Helen got into the lift then walked out and approached the meeting room marked by a polished brass nameplate. Stefan, Madeline’s assistant, stood ready, clipboard in hand.
“Ms. Sharp?” Stefan asked, his tone professional and welcoming.
“Yes, I am,” Helen responded, taking a deep breath to steady her racing heart.
“Good morning. Ms. Ashton is already inside waiting for you,” Stefan informed her, gesturing towards the door.
“Thank you,” Helen replied, nerves tingling beneath her skin as she knocked gently on the door.
“Come in,” came the voice from within, unmistakably confident and poised.
After she walked in, Helen felt a rush of air behind her as Stefan swiftly closed it.
Madeline sat at one end of the long glass table, wearing light beige wide-leg trousers and a tailored shirt. In front of her lay a paper copy of Helen’s book, “Lessons in English Literature,” the cover a simple yet elegant testament to her hard work.
“Morning, I’m Helen Sharp,” she introduced herself, stepping forward.
“Morning, I’m Madeline Ashton, the head of the editorial department,” Madeline replied, gesturing for Helen to take a seat.
Helen settled into a chair.
“Your book has got fantastic approval and comments from our team. We’ve decided to publish it in two months,” Madeline announced.
“Great,” Helen breathed, a wave of relief washing over her.
“In one or two working days, we will provide you with more detailed information regarding the publishing process,” Madeline continued. “Do you have any questions?”
“Currently, no,” Helen said, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders.
“Good. If anything comes to mind, you can always reach out via email,” Madeline assured her, Helen nodded with understanding. “Thank you for coming.”
As they stood to leave the meeting room, the door swung open, revealing Mr. Ashton, the founder of Ashtons Publisher and Madeline’s father. He entered with an air of authority, his presence commanding the room.
“Father, what brings you here?” Madeline asked, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her tone.
“Just checking in on how my daughter is handling her first meeting with a writer,” he replied, a glint of pride in his eyes. “How did it go?”
“It was wonderful. I informed her about our decision to publish her book,” Madeline answered, her excitement palpable.
“Good. I’m Mr. Ashton,” he said, extending his hand to Helen.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ashton. I’ve heard wonderful things about you and Ashtons Publisher,” Helen stated, shaking his hand firmly, her heart racing.
“Very nice,” Mr. Ashton replied, looking at her for a moment. “Are you single?”
“Um… yes, I am,” Helen responded, taken aback by the abruptness of the question.
“Father, what’s that for?” Madeline interjected, her eyes wide.
“I’m searching for a suitable partner for you, Maddy. Ms. Sharp seems like a good match,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact.
“Father, I don’t need a…” Madeline began, but Mr. Ashton raised a hand to silence her.
“You are 36 now, and do you want to inherit the company when I retire?” he pressed as Madeline nodded. “In our family, only married family members can inherit companies. I believe Ms. Sharp would be an excellent match.”
“Mr. Ashton, I truly don’t believe I would be a good match for Ms. Ashton,” Helen interjected, her heart pounding as she felt the weight of the situation shift.
“Do you think so, Maddy?” Mr. Ashton asked, turning to his daughter.
“Father…” said Madeline.
No more words came from Madeline, and Mr. Ashton took that silence as disagreement.
“I will begin making arrangements for the wedding to be in two months,” he declared assuredly.
With that, Mr. Ashton exited the room, leaving Helen and Madeline standing in stunned silence, the air thick with unspoken thoughts and a future neither had expected.
“What the hell is that?” Helen exclaimed, disbelief etched across her features. “Can.. you cancel it?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Madeline leaned back in her chair, her expression calm but serious. “I don’t think so,” she replied, the weight of her words hanging in the air between them.
Helen took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. “I’m 42, 6 years older than you,” she pointed out, gesturing with a hint of desperation.
“My father chose you to be my wife definitely with good reasons,” Madeline stated, her voice steady and unwavering, as if she had rehearsed this moment countless times.
“I... what reason?!” said Helen. “I’m a single mother to my daughter! Nobody wants to get into a relationship when the other one has someone’s children with them.”
Madeline maintained her composure. “I’m fine with children,” she countered, her gaze unwavering.
“But…” Helen began, her thoughts swirling as uncertainty clouded her mind.
Madeline leaned forward slightly, her tone shifting to a more concerning note. “I don’t want to scare you, but I suggest you not go against my father’s wish. He could stop the publishing of your book and get you blacklisted from all book publishing companies in the US,” she warned, her words laced with an underlying menace.
Helen’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh my days…” she whispered, the reality of the situation crashing down on her like a wave.
Madeline’s demeanor softened slightly. “I mean, at least we should exchange contact info, just in case my father wants us to appear together at the same time,” she suggested, as if trying to reach a common ground.
With a reluctant sigh, Helen nodded, and they exchanged phone numbers.
As Helen stepped out of the Ashtons Publishers building, the afternoon sun greeted her with a warm embrace, a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in her heart. She leaned against her car for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself, feeling more like a pawn in someone else's game than a future successful author.
Later that day, as the sun dipped low in the sky, painting the world in golden hues, Helen navigated the familiar streets to pick up her daughter, Elina. She shared the news —the book was going to be published—with a sense of pride, her heart swelling as Elina's eyes sparkled with joy.
“Mom, that’s amazing!” Elina squealed, and in that moment, the weight of the day’s turmoil seemed to lift, if only for a while.
…………….