Chapter 2

“Are you trying to humiliate my daughter Raymond?” Philips fumed in anger.

Raymond's nose was bleeding as he tried to explain his action.

“Sir, I really love your daughter." He held his bleeding nose in pain.

Ivana's heart raced from seeing her father there.

She tried to check out his bleeding nose.

“If you try to go near him, you will regret what I will do to you." Philips threatened her.

Philips was furious as he held her hands and dragged her out of Raymond's apartment.

He told one of his bodyguard to drive Ivana's car to their house.

“Get into the car you disgraceful daughter.” Philips fumed as her pushed her into his car, and told the driver to drive them home.

“I don't want to marry Asher, he's known to be a ruthless business man." Ivana yelled at her father, her eyes swollen from crying.

“I don't care! the agreement has been signed and the engagement is holding tomorrow”. Philips informed her fuming.

Philips is a cold person, he doesn't know how to express himself, making him to look like he doesn't care for her.

Cassie had him wrapped over her hands. He stopped caring for Ivana to satisfy Cassie.

Ivana looked dejected, ever since her mother died nobody cares about her.

“I know I don't have a choice of my own.” sadness seeped into her heart. She wished her mother was alive.

Her best friend Chelsea was not in the country at the moment.

They entered through the estate gate to their house, and Cassie behaved as a dutiful wife and welcomed him with Anna at her standing beside her.

“Welcome darling, I hope Ivana did not stress you?” She questioned as she talked sweetly to him.

Philips, still angry, replied her “She is very ungrateful, I set up a perfect marriage for her and she is rejecting it, only if they wanted Anna I would have replaced her." Philips scorned her disdainfully.

“Father don't worry, I know your decisions are the best." Anna smiled and praised him.

“If only Ivana can be a dutiful daughter like you and not frustrate me." He sighed deeply.

Cassie and Anna mocked her. Even her father looks down on her.

A van drove in and they brought in all the things Ivana's will be needing for the engagement.

Her father also put in security around the house so she will not be able to escape.

The Jackson's were responsible for bringing in designer shoes and bags. A lot of different designer gowns were brought in to start the fitting for the engagement.

“You can bring everything to her room”. Philips was excited seeing the people the Jackson's sent over for the engagement preparation.

Cassie and Anna were jealous of the designer wears brought in for Ivana.

“Ma'am you are not allowed to touch this” The security personnel of the Jackson's spoke harshly to her.

She flinched and hissed as the security shifted her away from Ivana's bedroom doorstep.

After it was all brought it and gifts were given to Philips too. They bade them farewell.

Ivana laid down on her bed thinking about the event that happened at Raymond apartment.

She was also surprised Anna behaved as if nothing was wrong. She was not able to bring up what happened earlier.

She was so overwhelmed and tired. The maids arranged the items in her room.

“You can all go out, I want to catch some sleep”. She mumbled as she closed her eyes, hearing their footsteps out of her bedroom.

Just as she was about to sleep, Cassie barged into her room followed by Anna.

Ivana's eyes were opened as she heard their voices waking her up.

"These are expensive designers." Cassie looked in awe, lifting a diamond-studded necklace to the light.

Anna was holding a pair of wine bottomed heels, her eyes gleaming with envy.

"Ivana, you’re so lucky. This marriage will make you a billionaire wife, you should be happy." She said as as she tried to wear the heels.

Ivana barely spared them a glance. "How will I be happy? You think being sold off and getting married to a stranger is being lucky?" Cassie gave her a sharp look.

"You are just so ungrateful. Your father made the best decision for you. Do you know how many women would die to be Asher Jackson's wife?"

Ivana folded her arms. "Then Anna should take my place.”

Anna was so jealous that it was concealed on her face.

The expensive gifts only deepened her resentment for Ivana.

"Mom, Ivana does not really like these things. Why should she have all this?"

Cassie smirked. "You’re right, darling."

She faced Ivana. "Go and sleep. You don’t have to stand here, you should share things with your sister."

Ivana did not budge. "This is my engagement gift."

"You're acting as if you even want the wedding to begin with"

Anna scorned her, reaching for a designer purse. "Why waste such lovely things on someone who doesn’t care?"

Ivana stepped forward and snatched the purse from Anna’s hands. "If you dare touch my things again, I will--"

A loud crack echoed in the room.

Ivana’s shoulder hit to the side, her cheek burning from Cassie’s slap.

"How dare you speak to my daughter that way?" Cassie said in anger as she slapped Ivana.

Ivana’s fists clenched at her sides as she bit her lips. She had endured Cassie’s cruelty for so long, but tonight, after what she had seen earlier, she could not stand their attitude.

"Do you want to dare me?" Ivana yelled at Cassie."

She faced Anna, who had gone pale. "Did you forget I caught you in bed with Raymond today?."

There was silence in the room.

Cassie’s lips parted widely, but no words came out of her mouth.

Anna was trembling as she held the hem of her dress tightly.

"You are just lying," Anna said, but her voice gave her out.

Ivana laughed at her. "Am I really lying? I walked in on you two today. My boyfriend Raymond, my ex. I mean doing it on his bed while naked."

Cassie sneered . "That's a lie, even if it was true Raymond is too good to be with you. You should actually be thanking Anna for showing you his true colors at least.

Ivana stared at them, disgusted by the two of them. "This is unbelievable. You both are not even ashamed."

Anna finally found her voice. "So what? You’re marrying a powerful billionaire. Raymond is nothing compared to him. Why should you get everything while I get nothing. You are just ungrateful."

"Enough of this, You will not ruin this wedding with your nonsense. Go to sleep right now." Cassie raised her hand, but this time, Ivana caught her wrist mid-air.

"Do you really want to try it." she fumed facing her as she stood taller than Cassie.

Ivana took a deep breath. She had spent years enduring their cruelty, but not anymore.

Tomorrow, she would be married to a billionaire she didn’t love, but maybe… just maybe, this marriage will work out and she will escape from them.

She laid on her bed, her voice cold as ice. "You can do your worst today. Because after tomorrow, you won’t be able to touch me or touch anything that belongs to me."

"I will leave you for today, don't think you are above us because you are getting married to Asher Jackson." Cassie scorned her leaving her room with Anna.

Little did they know, someone else had overheard everything. And that someone wasn’t going to stay silent.