Love Unexpected

Emma’s POV

“What do you mean I’m getting married, dad?” I question my dad, tears running down my face fast and hard. I haven’t ugly cried like this in years but right now, I didn’t care how ugly I looked. All I cared to understand was what my dad meant by I was to get married in two months. 

“I realize how sudden and unexpected this news comes, sweetie, but it’s what needs to be done,” he replies me, taking gentle strides towards me. 

I step back. Usually I like the comfort of being in my father’s arms, but not today. Maybe not ever again. Not with what he’s saying to me right now. “This is so unfair!” I shriek really loudly as I begin to pace round the living room where my mum, dad and I stood as they broke the news to me. 

At this point I was livid. I don’t think I’d ever been this angry before in my life, and especially towards my parents, but today I was. I was upset, confused, and especially furious at them. 

“How could you let this happen, mum?” I stopped pacing and faced my mum with my hands placed on my waist and my eyebrows raised, tears still streaming down my face freely. 

“Honey, there was no other option. Would you have rather your dad went prison?” She responded to my question with a face full of empathy. I knew the correct answer to that question, but in that moment I didn’t care. 

“Yes!” I all but said quietly. “Why couldn’t he have opted to go to prison? Why did he have to sell me off to Liam Henderson?” I yelled. 

“I did not sell you off, Emma. Never you repeat that statement ever again,” my dad replied sharply without giving my mum a chance to respond to me. At this point he and I were in a staring contest with each other, none willing to break contact and look weak in front of the other. 

Right from when I was a kid, my dad’s mother had always told me I acted just like my dad did when he was younger. She’d tell me how we had similar reactions to particular situations and how we had the same temper. She’d say, “I wonder how arguments go down with you both at home”. Truly she was right. My dad and I did have the same temper and today proved it. 

I wasn’t going to back down from the stare though, and he knew that. He eventually gave up and relaxed his shoulders. “Emma, I truly am sorry for this. I’m sorry that this is the reality of your life right now, but this wedding, this marriage, it’s happening. Whether you like it or not. The deal has already been made”. 

“I hate you, dad. I really do”. 

Of course I don’t and could never hate my dad but that was what I was feeling in that moment. I felt nothing but hate towards him.