The Arranged Marriage.

Sophia sat in the dimly lit living room, surrounded by the familiar comforts of her family's estate. The once-grand mansion now seemed oppressive, its high ceilings and crystal chandeliers a reminder of the weight bearing down on her family. The air was thick with tension as her parents, James and Elizabeth, paced back and forth, their voices hushed but urgent.

The room was filled with the scent of old books and stale air, a smell Sophia had grown accustomed to over the years. But today, it felt suffocating. She fidgeted with her hands, her mind racing with thoughts of the family business, Frostbite Industries.

"Sophia, we need to talk to you about the business," her father said, his eyes sunken with worry.

Sophia's heart sank. She knew what was coming. The family's company, Frostbite Industries, had been struggling for months. Her parents had tried to hide it, but the signs were clear: the reduced staff, the cancelled vacations, the anxious whispers in the hallways.

"What's going on?" Sophia asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"It's not good," her mother replied, her hands trembling. "We're on the verge of bankruptcy. We've tried everything, but...it's just not working."

Sophia felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Frostbite Industries was more than just a company – it was their legacy, their pride, their everything. Her great-grandfather had founded the company, and it had been passed down through generations.

"What can we do?" Sophia asked, desperation creeping into her voice.

Her father stopped pacing and turned to her, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "We've been approached by a potential investor, someone willing to save the company...but at a price."

Sophia's instincts screamed warning. "What kind of price?"

Her mother hesitated before speaking. "He wants you to marry his son."

Sophia's world spun. Marry a stranger to save the family business? It was unthinkable. But as she looked at her parents, she saw the desperation in their eyes, the fear of losing everything they'd worked for.

"I...I don't know," Sophia stammered.

Her father's expression turned stern. "Sophia, we don't have a choice. This is the only way to save Frostbite Industries. You have to do this, for the family."

Sophia felt a surge of anger and resentment. Why should she have to sacrifice her happiness for the company? But as she looked at her parents, she saw the fear and worry etched on their faces. They were desperate, and Sophia knew she had to make a decision.

********

Sophia sat in stunned silence, her mind reeling from the proposal. Marry a stranger to save the family business? It was unthinkable. But as she looked around the room, she saw the desperation in her parents' eyes, the fear of losing everything they'd worked for.

Just then, her brother, Alexander, walked into the room. He was two years older than Sophia, with a charming smile and a confident air about him.

"Hey, Soph, what's going on?" he asked, noticing the tension in the room.

Sophia hesitated, unsure of how to break the news. But before she could say anything, their mother spoke up.

"Alexander, we've been discussing the future of Frostbite Industries. We've been approached by an investor who's willing to save the company, but he wants Sophia to marry his son."

Alexander's expression changed from curiosity to surprise. "Whoa, that's heavy. What do you think, Soph?"

Sophia shook her head. "I don't know, Alex. I don't want to marry some stranger just to save the company."

Jacknodded thoughtfully. "I get it. But think about it, Soph. This could be a temporary solution. You marry the guy, and once the company is back on its feet, you can get a divorce. It's not ideal, but it's better than losing everything we've worked for."

Sophia felt a surge of frustration. "That's easy for you to say, Alex. You're not the one who has to marry some stranger."

Jackheld up his hands. "I know, I know. But I'm just trying to offer a different perspective. And think about it, Soph. You'll be saving the family business. You'll be saving our legacy."

Sophia sighed, feeling the weight of her family's expectations on her shoulders. She knew Jackwas trying to help, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being sacrificed for the sake of the company.

"Let me think about it," Sophia said finally, standing up. "I need some time to process everything."

Her parents nodded, looking relieved that Sophia was considering the proposal. Jackclapped her on the back.

"Take all the time you need, Soph. But just remember, this could be the solution we need to save Frostbite Industries."

Sophia nodded, feeling a sense of unease settle in the pit of her stomach. She knew she had a difficult decision ahead of her.

As Jackleft the room, Sophia couldn't help but feel a sense of desperation wash over her. She had always dreamed of escaping the family business, of forging her own path in life. She had wanted to be an interior designer, to create beautiful spaces that brought joy to people's lives.

But now, it seemed like those dreams were being ripped away from her. She was being forced into a marriage she didn't want, all to save the family business. It wasn't fair. She felt like she was being sacrificed for the sake of Frostbite Industries.

Sophia thought back to her childhood, growing up in the shadow of the family business. She had always felt like she was living in a fishbowl, with everyone watching her every move. She had never been able to make her own decisions, never been able to pursue her own dreams.

And now, it seemed like that was never going to change. She was going to be trapped in this loveless marriage, forced to play the role of the dutiful wife. She felt like she was losing herself, like she was disappearing into the expectations of others.

Sophia stood up and walked over to the window, staring out at the gardens below. She felt like she was looking at her life from the outside in, like she was watching herself make the same mistakes over and over again.

Why couldn't she just be free to make her own choices? Why couldn't she just be herself?

As she stood there, lost in thought, Sophia felt a sense of determination rising up inside of her. She was not going to give up on her dreams, no matter what. She was going to find a way to escape this marriage, to forge her own path in life.

But for now, she was trapped. Trapped in a life she didn't want, with no clear way out.