The Marriage Sacrifice

“You did good today, son,” his father said.

Dom ignored the man at his side. He wasn’t in the mood to talk or to say anything of any importance to the man who was his father.

“You’re still angry? You couldn’t be a playboy forever, you know. Settling down is a good thing.”

“Don’t even for a second try to claim this is about me taking responsibility. You and I both know where the problem is, and it’s not with me. Your bad investments killed the company.”

“With Boyle’s help, you’ll get it back on its feet, and I will declare Johnson the winner.”

“The winner?”

“Yes. It has always been a competition between Johnson and me. Who could sleep with the most women in one night. The best company. All of it. We had a million-dollar bet, and well, his company will now be first in line for the title.”

Dom looked at his father. He’d not seen him ever since he got the news of the company being in the red.

“You’re kidding me right now?”

“Dom, this is your wedding. Lower your voice. Remember who you are.”

“I know who I am. We have nothing. All of this is being paid for by Johnson. My wife is worth more than I am. You put the company and all of our employees’ livelihood at stake, for what?”

“I made a few bad decisions. It happens in business. You’ll make them yourself. The thing about employees, there are always a lot of people to employ. You cut your losses.”

“I’ve got to get out of here.” He wasn’t willing to cause a scene, not at his wedding. Sage deserved more than that, and he wasn’t going to screw this up.

Leaving the main reception, he went out into the small yard out back. There were lights hung up, and it looked like a fairy tale wonderland, beautiful, sparkling, a real delight and one he knew Sage would love.

He placed his hand on the half brick wall, staring out at the garden.

This wasn’t supposed to be like this. His father didn’t give a shit. No wonder Alice had more faith in him.

It was his responsibility to make sure his employees had a job, and yet his father treated them as if they were nothing. He couldn’t do that.

His love for Sage had blossomed over the past couple of weeks, but he was lucky. He wouldn’t have been able to have a choice in what he could do to keep his company alive. Now all he had to do was wait for the funds, pay off some bad debts, and work his way out of the red. That was his plan.

One he intended to stick to.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the man of the hour,” Johnson said, coming out to him.

He wasn’t in the mood to deal with his new father-in-law.

“Why the sour mood? You got what you wanted. You stuck to our agreement, and I’ve got to say, the way Sage keeps looking at you, you’ve more than held up your end of the bargain.”

“I do love her.”

“Of course you do. Why wouldn’t you? She’s an amazing girl, and with her comes all the money you could ever dream about.”

“I didn’t do this for the money.”

“No, of course not.” Johnson placed a finger against his lips. “It’s our little secret. Your dad really did a number on the company. Last I heard, you didn’t even have any electricity.”

He didn’t want to talk about the problems his company was facing at his wedding.

“When will you allow me access to the funds?” he asked.

“All in good time.”

“I need to pay people.”

“And you will get what you want. Enjoy your wedding day.”

“This was all a lie?”

Dom turned toward Sage. She stood in the doorway, looking at him and her father. She’d gone pale, and he couldn’t believe she had just heard this.

“Sage.” He took a step toward her, and she held up her hand as if to stop him from coming any closer.

“You made a deal with my dad to make me fall in love with you?”

She had heard it all.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds. I promise you.”

“All this time, the past couple of weeks, is that what this is all about? You getting what you want?”

“No, no, no, it’s not like that, I swear.” He stepped toward her, but she shook her head.

“All for what? Your company?”

“Sage, you don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me. Don’t even for a second leave, Dad. I heard what you said. You agreed to this as well.”

“Honey, all I did was what I thought was best for you.”

“By manipulating the man into marrying me.”

“Marriage was always going to happen. You and Dom had been arranged since you were sixteen years old. His father’s bad decisions just sped up the process.”

“A takeover,” she said. “This is what this is all is, isn’t it? You wanted to win. The competition is gone because Dom is now the head.”