A forced marriage with the mafioso

my room slams open. I glare angrily

f bed, take a shower, and put on

like that?" But his only response

d it's something importan

The warm water falls on my skin, comforting and revitalizing. I immerse myself in the steady flow, le

I pick out one of my best dresses, the one that makes me feel secure and empowered. I spend time

y face to reflect serenity, even though emotions inside me are tumult

y room, ready to face wh

ing room. Everyone is dressed elegantly, which m

use it's already past

o say," Gregory comes out of the k

lets out a

have lunch wit

blings and I e

" Gregory seems a bit angry. "That doesn't

" my father warns. "So let's

to refuse. "Remember, Jordan

wins exclaim s

my father threatens. "Now, I want to see you all outside the house." No

regory pul

xwell being in your room?" G

you guys," I lash out. "I told you from the beginning I didn't want to do it, bu

you if nobody was arou

y saw me do it, and yo

ther's hand; she also doesn't seem too ke

mes I wonder what our great-great-grandparents were thinking wanting to live in front of their

seconds later, Jordan M

us in. "We're all in the dining

g us, Thomas," my fa

all, Chester," Thomas

on and head straight to the dining room with my siblings. Sitt

ma'am," I greet

ease, take a seat," she s

, Jesse," Aliya points

he kindest. We've exchanged words a few times, but nothing beyond a sim

. Plates filled with food pass from one side to the other, but none

nly want to have dinner to

ouldn't tell us," sh

ngs; they simply eat what's on

room. The silence stretched, enveloping us all in a heavy and tense atmosp

apable of breaking that uncomfortable stillness. I looked at my parents, hoping for some in

ntion to break that pause only increased the tension in the room. Gazes crossed occasionally, b

suspended in the air that nobody dared to express. Each one held their re

someone to take the first step to untie that knot in the throat that was the prolonged silence. But

time we talk?" my father speak

takes a sip from his water glass. "Because of the events of last night," he looks a

We're all adults here, capable of reasoning," my father continues.

from the table at the same time

not marr

her. "It's okay if you want to end the fight we've

done," Thomas

for a damn camel!" I protest. "You know what... I'm goin

side to get out o

our cards, memberships, car, private jet, and you'll end up com

ars welling up in my eyes

ate me th

t from, but it wasn't pleasant for me to see my daughter

sister?" Josh stan

"I was after my money because

e stepped onto the sand, and it could have

e; she saw the three of you by my car, and s

silence... but Claire's na

e one family because the wedding wi

thought about Claire's betrayal. How did my best friend b

say before heading

els, and feel an instant relief. Dipping my feet into the cool water was like a balm for the whir

rst enemy, felt like a stab in the back. Worst of all, her mistake had repercussions in my life, tyi

of the water moving around my feet couldn't drown out the internal cha

, was like being trapped in a maze with no way out. I didn't know how

ears by my side, doi

have said t

I would never have known the k

think I'm

se I'm sure you wouldn't have

do it in the

I doubted my capabilitie

ast part, but I think o

eyebrow. "We hate each other, and that's not going

l. Think about it, many people wanted to do busi

I want to marry someone I love, and if I'm

and to please our parents, bu

marriage a sacred event and

and I'll continue with my life as planned. If yo

with my gaze, but it's impossible. So, in

dan says as he sur

use I refuse to be t

ed to leave that hou