Chapter 6

(Author’s POV)

The grand dining room of the Skylar mansion was eerily quiet the next morning. The long mahogany table was set with an elaborate spread of food, perfectly scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, croissants, and steaming cups of coffee. Mr. Skylar sat at the head of the table, sipping his coffee and reading the day’s paper, his expression calm but thoughtful.

One by one, his sons entered the room.

Owen, the eldest, arrived first, his sharp suit already in place for the day ahead. He sat down silently, glancing at his father but saying nothing.

Ryan came next, dressed more casually but equally composed. He nodded curtly to his father and brother before taking his seat.

Asher strolled in moments later, his sunglasses perched on his head, clearly still waking up. He grabbed a croissant and slumped into his chair without a word.

Ian arrived last, his hair tousled, a hoodie thrown over his t-shirt. He plopped into his seat, muttering a quiet “Morning” as he reached for the coffee.

For several minutes, the only sounds were the clinking of cutlery and the occasional rustle of the newspaper. The tension was palpable, a silent storm brewing just beneath the surface.

Finally, Owen broke the silence, his voice cutting through the quiet like a knife. 

“Dad,” He began, his tone measured but firm.

“Do you really not care what people will think about this… arrangement?”

All eyes turned to Mr. Skylar.

The older man set his newspaper down carefully, folding it with precision before meeting his eldest son’s gaze. His face was calm, but his voice carried the weight of his conviction. 

“Owen, I stopped caring about what people think a long time ago. My only concern is ensuring that when I’m gone, you have someone beside you all” The room fell silent again, his words sinking in. 

Ryan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. 

“It’s not that simple, Dad. This is… unconventional, to put it mildly. People are going to talk, and it’s not going to be pretty” Mr. Skylar nodded, his expression unflinching. 

“Let them talk. My reputation has never been tied to public opinion, and neither should yours. What matters is that we do what’s right for this family, not what’s easy”.

The room went quiet again. Each son sat with his thoughts, the gravity of their father’s words weighing heavily on them.

Finally, Owen broke the silence once more. He leaned back in his chair, his jaw tight, his gaze fixed on his father. 

“I still don’t like this idea. But if this is what you want… if this is your…last wish, I’ll do it. For you”.

Ryan sighed, running a hand through his hair. 

“This is insane, but… I can’t say no to you, Dad. Fine. I’m in” Asher groaned, rubbing his temples. 

“I don’t know how we’re going to pull this off without it turning into a media circus, but… okay. For you” Ian, the youngest, looked at his father with wide, worried eyes. 

“If this is what you need, Dad, I’ll do it. But… this feels so strange”.

Mr. Skylar smiled faintly, his eyes glistening with emotion as he looked at his sons. 

“Thank you,” He said simply. 

“I know this isn’t easy, but I promise you, it will be worth it”.

The brothers exchanged glances, a mix of reluctance, confusion, and frustration written on their faces. None of them were accepting this marriage with open hearts, but their love and loyalty to their father outweighed their doubts.

As the breakfast continued in silence, each brother grappled with what lay ahead, their lives on the verge of an unexpected and transformative chapter.

Right now, Mr. Skylar was sitting in his dimly lit study with a cup of coffee in his hand. His gaze rested on a photograph on the desk…a picture of himself with his four sons taken years ago. In it, they were all smiling, their arms draped over one another. Back then, the bond between them had been unbreakable, a family united by love. Now, that connection felt like a distant memory.

He leaned back in his chair, a small, satisfied smile tugging at his lips.

“They agreed,” He murmured to himself.

 “Stubborn as they are, they couldn’t say no” He chuckled softly, the sound low and warm, filled with a mixture of relief and hope. The weight of his illness still loomed heavily over him, but for the first time in years, he felt a glimmer of optimism.

“Aurora,” He said aloud, the name lingering on his tongue. 

“You’re the key. I knew it the moment I saw you. That quiet strength, that selflessness… you’ll remind my boys of what it means to be a family”.

“Marriage,” He mused, leaning forward and placing his cup on the desk. 

“They think it’s just for me. But what they don’t realize is that this is for them. They’ll fight it, resist it, maybe even resent me for it at first. But in time…”

His voice trailed off as his thoughts took over. He could see the distant future…his sons laughing together, teasing one another, united not just in obligation but in genuine love. He imagined Aurora there, her presence a bridge between them, a reminder of what they could be.

The smile on his face turned wistful. 

“I don’t have much time left, but I’ll leave this world knowing I’ve done everything I can. They’ll hate me for it now, but one day… one day, they’ll thank me”.

He reached out and picked up the photo, holding it close as he gazed at the frozen smiles of his sons.

“Hold on to each other,” He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. 

“That’s all I ask”.

With a deep breath, Mr. Skylar leaned back in his chair once more, his smile returning. His heart swelled with hope, his plan set in motion. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he believed in the outcome.

This marriage would bring his family together… He was certain of it.