After he drunk from his wine, he placed it on the table with a soft thud. “I want to propose a deal.” He leaned forward. “A contract marriage. I’d pay off all your debt for your hands in marriage.” A devil’s grin played on his lips and his eyes sparkled as though he had set a trap for me.
My eyes widened. The fruity taste of the wine turned stale on my tongue.
What did this man take me for? Was it because I was poor, he believed I could easily sell my freedom to him?
I tightened my fist. The chair creaked and his eyes followed me as I rose to my feet. “Do you think I am that desperate?” My voice was quieter than I intended. “That I’d sell myself to pay off a debt?”
Sitting before me was a monster as his grin only widened. “I see you are also a proud one.” He swirled his wine glass before sipping from it. “Pride without money to back it up will only plunge you into despair.”
“Thank you, Socrates, I can help myself.”