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Chapter 2 - THE MAN I CALLED INSTEAD

We didn't marry at 10:10.

That would have been impossible.

Marriage licenses required proper procedures, and the ceremonial closing clause couldn't simply be rewritten because my fiancé had behaved like an idiot.

But Gabriel knew something Collin didn't.

The partnership agreement contained a substitution provision.

If Prescott Coastal failed to perform, Keene Maritime could invoke a replacement-capital mechanism.

Gabriel's company was already an approved alternate investor.

My father had negotiated that provision months earlier.

He'd never expected to use it.

Gabriel had.

At 10:09, his attorney arrived with a digital copy of the relevant documents.

My father read them.

Then looked at Gabriel.

“You're offering to replace Prescott Coastal?”

Gabriel nodded.

“Yes.”

Collin laughed.

“You can't.”

Gabriel turned.

“Actually, I can.”

The attorney pointed to the clause.

Prescott Coastal had failed to satisfy a required condition.

Keene Maritime could proceed with a qualified substitute.

My father looked at me.

“Mallory.”

I took a breath.

“Do it.”

At 10:10, the Prescott agreement expired.

And at 10:11, Keene Maritime began negotiations with Lancaster Global.

Collin stood frozen.

Brynn clutched my wedding ring.

My mother began crying.

But this time, they weren't tears of humiliation.

They were relief.

Gabriel turned toward me.

“Now.”

I looked up.

“Yes?”

He smiled faintly.

“About that marriage proposal.”

My cheeks warmed.

“I was under pressure.”

“I noticed.”

I laughed nervously.

He stepped closer.

“I'm still interested.”

My heart stopped.

“Why?”

His expression softened.

“Because I know what kind of woman you are.”

I stared.

He continued.

“And because I know what it's like to be treated as someone's second choice.”

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Gabriel held out his hand.

“Have dinner with me.”

I looked at him.

“Dinner?”

He nodded.

“No lawyers. No contracts. No clocks.”

I smiled.

For the first time that morning, I felt like I could breathe.

“Yes.”

Behind us, Collin shouted:

“Mallory, this isn't over!”

I turned.

Looked at the man I'd almost married.

Then smiled.

“Yes, Collin.”

May you like

I took Gabriel's hand.

“It is.”

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