Flashback to Blair’s 18th Birthday

Ezra Taylor embarked on a transformative journey that reshaped not only his own life but also the entire cybersecurity industry. He dedicated every ounce of his energy to his company. Late nights, endless coding sessions, and countless meetings with clients became his new life. He thrived on the challenges that entrepreneurship presented. Now, at twenty-three, he had risen to remarkable heights, turning his fledgling firm into a powerhouse that surpassed even the esteemed Taylor Group in profit.

Ezra stood in his office, gazing out at the bustling city. His sharp, steel-blue eyes reflected a sense of discontent despite his success. He felt an unsettling emptiness, haunted by unresolved feelings of resentment towards those who had caused his despair. His success could not change the past or erase the persistent pain.

Focusing on his firm was his excuse to stay abroad and avoid Blair. However, he could no longer evade her; it was her 18th birthday, and he had a duty to be present. He had also promised his father that he would resume his studies in business administration this year, likely attending the same university as she would.

As Ezra approached the grand entrance of the Wilson mansion, a familiar tangle of emotions surged within him, accompanied by the bitterness that had become an integral part of his identity. Dressed in a tailored maroon tuxedo, he presented a striking figure with his chiseled physique and sharp features. His steel-blue eyes reflected indifference, framed by tousled dark hair that contributed to his icy charm.

He could already envision a lavish celebration for Blair’s debut, recalling the extravagant parties from her past birthdays—opulent decorations, music, laughter echoing through the halls, and a sense of joy that enveloped everyone in attendance.

As he stepped inside the mansion, the scene before him was far from what he had imagined. Instead of a grand celebration, it was a modest family gathering with only Blair’s parents, grandfather, and Damon in attendance.

As Ezra took a seat, he scanned the room, his gaze settling on the debutante.

The girl he remembered was gone. Blair sat elegantly that radiated grace. Her long, straight black hair cascaded like silk around her shoulders, framing her flawlessly delicate face. The gentle arch of her brows, the warmth of her amber eyes, and the exquisite curve of her lips hinted at a newfound confidence, while her skin, as flawless as porcelain, seemed to glow softly in the dim light in the dining room. She was so breathtakingly beautiful.

As dinner progressed, the atmosphere remained tense. Ezra’s mind was still reeling from the somber mood when Damon finally cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Ezra, there’s something important we need to discuss,” he began, his voice steady yet tinged with an undertone of gravity.

His heart raced as a sense of foreboding crept in. He exchanged a glance with Blair, who appeared equally apprehensive, her amber eyes wide with concern.

“Ezra, considering the long-standing relationship between our families and the shared history we all cherish, we believe it is time to solidify that bond. After much deliberation, we have decided that it is only fitting for you and Blair to marry in order to preserve and strengthen the ties between us.”

There seemed to be like a lightning bold that struck on Ezra’s ears. He felt as if the ground had shifted beneath him. “Marry?” he repeated, incredulity spilling from his lips. “You can’t be serious.”

Blair flinched at his outburst, her gaze dropping to her plate, while Damon’s expression grew stern.

“This is not up for debate, Ezra,” Damon replied with authoritative tone. “It’s a decision made for the…”

“Uncle,” Blair said softly, lifting her head. Her amber eyes locked onto Damon, conveying an expression that was both resolute and gentle. “Let me speak with Ezra first, please?”

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Damon furrowed his brows as he exchanged glances with Kennedy. “Very well.”

Ezra was still processing his father’s words when Blair stood up and adjusted her nightgown. Without meeting his gaze, she walked purposefully toward the terrace.

The night air was cool against his skin as they stepped onto the terrace, illuminated by soft lanterns that cast a golden glow over the manicured gardens below.

“Ezra,” Blair began, her voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes scanned her figure, observing the tension in her shoulders—an unusual stiffness that didn’t align with the Blair he knew. She stood poised, appearing composed on the surface, but something felt amiss. Typically, she would have leaped into his arms, greeting him with that familiar, infectious smile.

“I have to tell you something.” She swallowed hard, her lips parting as though she were struggling to find the right words.

He noticed the way her fingers trembled slightly as she held onto the edge of the balustrade, a subtle sign that betrayed the calm façade she was trying so hard to maintain.

Ezra’s pulse quickened. Every instinct screamed at him to stop her, to reach out and say something—anything—but his mind raced with a thousand thoughts that paralyzed his body.

“I love you.”

“Is that what you want?” His voice emerged flat and cold—so indifferent that Blair visibly flinched. He noticed her eyes widen, the hurt flashing across her delicate features, but he couldn’t stop himself.

“You love me… and now you want them to marry us?” Ezra’s voice was slow and deliberate, each word heavy with restrained anger. “Do you think I’m some kind of birthday gift—something they can just wrap up and present to you?”

Blair opened her mouth to respond, but no words emerged. Her eyes filled with unshed tears, and her hands gripped the balustrade even tighter, as if it were the only thing anchoring her to the ground.

“You’ve overstepped the line, Blair,” he said, his voice sharper now, cutting through the silence. “I allowed the Wilsons and my family to make me your guard dog, running around keeping you safe, but marrying you is out of the question.”

Blair’s heart raced as his words sliced through the frosty night like a knife. Her mind scrambled to find the right response to explain what was truly happening. She hadn’t foreseen his reaction—so distant, so angry. It hurt more than she had imagined.

“Ezra, no… you misunderstood,” she whispered, her voice trembling. She took a step closer and held his hand. “I didn’t know they were planning to marry us; I only found out last week. But I won’t lie—I am happy. I love you for as long as I could remember.”

Ezra turned his head slightly, narrowing his steel-blue eyes as he studied her, his expression inscrutable.

“So, you’re saying that just because it was their decision, we have no say in it? That our marriage is inevitable?” His voice dripped with incredulity, each word tinged with frustration.

Blair didn’t notice the frustration in his tone. Instead, she beamed, her eyes sparkling with innocent enthusiasm. “Yes! Exactly! I mean, if it’s fate, then maybe we can make the best of it. I’ll do everything I can to make you fall in love with me as your wife.”

Ezra felt a wave of resignation wash over him as he observed Blair’s hopeful expression. He knew her well enough that she often cherry-picked the words she wanted to hear, shaping the reality around with her own desires and leveraging the influence of the Wilson and Taylor families. She had never had to fight for anything; all she needed to do was smile, and doors would open for her.

“Blair,” He spoke, but the words caught in his throat. A part of him wanted to lash out, revealing that the fact of marrying her would be the worst torment of his life. Because he’ve loathed her, for as long as he could remember. But he didn’t say it. Instead, he forced his expression into one of cold indifference, burying the truth deeper inside, where she couldn’t reach it.

Blair, oblivious to his inner turmoil, took his silence as a sign of agreement. “I promise, brother,” she said, her voice soft but filled with determination. “I’ll do everything I can to make you fall in love with me. You’ll see. We can make this work.”

Ezra didn’t respond. He simply stared at her, his jaw clenched, his eyes giving nothing away. He didn’t have the strength or the will to argue anymore.

The conversation ended with her hopeful smile lingering in the dim light.

In the days that followed, there was no grand public announcement of their engagement. It only shared between the two families, who had already solidified the arrangement behind closed doors.

Ezra had always known Blair’s determination, but after their engagement, he truly grasped the depth of her resolve. She had an uncanny ability to ignore anything that contradicted her desires, especially for him. “No” wasn’t an option for her, and over the years, she proved this with unwavering consistency.

It was as if she had turned her entire life into a waiting game for him. On every occasion, birthdays, Christmases, New Year’s Eve, even when Ezra had new business achievements—she was always there with him. It didn’t matter if he was abroad. She would find him, flying out to wherever he was, sometimes appearing at the last minute with that familiar smile on her face.

And each time, after he turned her down, she’d smile that same smile, as if convinced that her next confession, the result would change.

Blair’s obliviousness to his true feelings intensifies the gap between them, as Ezra grows more resentful while Blair remains hopeful.