Chapter one

As Tammy stood looking out the window from her bedroom - a serene oasis with plush furnishings, elegant decor and soothing colours screaming opulence and serenity - her heart pounded in her chest to see such a convoy trooping into her father's villa. She gripped the curtain by the window tightly, feeling her palms grow sweaty. In a frantic rush, Tammy went downstairs so she could see what was going on but the guests were in the study with her father and they spoke discreetly. She could hear a little of the conversation.

"We must get them married as soon as possible"... Tammy's father, Mr Cole said. Tammy only wondered what exactly the conversation was all about. As she heard footsteps approaching, she took to her heels so she wouldn't be caught eavesdropping.

As the guests left, Tammy went to her father and asked abruptly, "who do you want to get married?". Mr Cole stood there, his face impassive, so many questions in his thoughts. "I didn't want to tell you this now Tammy..." Mr Cole replied, "...but I guess I just have to". Tammy looking and listening with keen interest, anxiety written all over her face, couldn't wait to hear what her father had to say. "You are getting married Tammy".

"What?" She bursted into laughter. "When did you pick up comedy as a side hustle Dad? Oh c'mon!".

"I'm dead serious Tamara, we're broke". Mr Cole insisted.

Tammy stood in stunned silence as her jaw dropped, her face fell as she grasped the devastating truth. She was born and brought up in wealth, she has never known what it meant or felt like to be broke. Never did it ever occur to her that a time like this would come.

"Dad come off it". Tammy said, still in denial.

"Look Tammy, we're bankrupt. I tried my best possible so it wouldn't come to this. We're at the verge of loosing everything, I mean everything including this villa" he said calmly.

"Dad no way!" Tammy wailed. She was torn between despair and fury.

"But there is a way out of all these Tammy" Mr Cole said, trying to be convincing. "You have to marry Mr Claude's son and heir, Ryan".

"Ryan? The arrogant Ryan? Then you mean a death sentence not marriage Dad. Besides I have a fiance remember?" she said as she waved her engagement ring at his face.

"This is the only way out, you have to do this for us. You must do this for us, please" he pleaded.

"But you can't just marry me off like a commodity without considering my feelings, my dreams. Dad you just made your decision without even consulting me. You've clearly sold me to this marriage!" she exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice, her hands trembled with rage and her

face turned red.

Mr Cole sighed heavily. "Don't be selfish, Tammy. This isn't about you; it's about our family and our future, you need to understand".

"I need to understand?. Well, you need to understand me too Dad. I'm engaged to marry the one I love with all my heart, but you expect me to give up my love life and happiness for the sake of family? Dad, for real?" she questioned his decision.

Tammy was beyond reasoning. She had never gone against her father's wishes, but she was putting her foot down this time. She wasn't ready to give in to her father's plan. Tammy stood her ground.

"Think about it my child. Taking this option wasn't easy for me. I wish I had another but my hands are tied. Please Tamara, please." Mr Cole pleaded almost in tears.

For a moment, they sat in silence exchanging glaring looks. They didn't talk for while. Tammy then broke the silence.

"Let's say I agree to do this, what's going to happen to Jason?" she has been engaged to Jason for six months and they have been planning their wedding.

At this point, Mr Cole was dumbfounded. He didn't think of Jason in all these. Tammy began to sob. "If only Mom was alive, she wouldn't let you do this to me. Why do I have to be the sacrificial lamb of the family?"

"It has to be you, Tammy. Remember we're indebted to the Claude's, they helped us reach where we are today and they are in the position to help us again. Come on Tammy."

"But we all know Ryan has series of child paternity cases, he's been in and out of court!"

"It doesn't matter Tammy, you just have to get married on paper and for the media" Mr Cole still trying to be convincing.

Tammy sobbing "what will happen to my dear Jason, I can't end things with him, I can't! I've invested so much in our relationship Dad, I can't!"

All of a sudden, they heard a bang on the door, it was Aunt Kathy , Mr Cole's older sister. Aunt Kathy was like Tammy's second mother ever since she lost her biological mother in a ghastly road incident.

"Aunt Kathy!" Tammy exclaimed excitedly, reaching to give her a hug "I've missed you so much Aunt"

"I've missed you too baby girl" Aunt Kathy replied in an excited tone.

"I'm so glad you're here Aunty. You'll never believe what Dad has been up to. Dad is forcing me to...

"Get married to Ryan" they both said in unison.

Tammy asked surprisingly, "You know about it too?"

"Oh Tammy my dear girl", Aunt Kathy said while caressing her hair with her fingers, "Your Dad and I made that decision. It was the only option we could resort to being that these people are very influencial. They can help keep the status of this family otherwise, this family name will be dragged in the mud and I'm sure none of us wants that".

"Did any of you even consider my feelings, did any of you consider the plans I have for myself?"

"Getting married to Ryan won't stop you from going on with the plans you have for yourself" Aunt Kathy countered.

"Then what about my relationship with Jason?" Tammy asked sadly.

"Oh dear! Jason will have to understand your predicament. If he truly loves you he will have to understand that you are sacrificing for the sake of family. Do you want your father to loose all that he has built? Do you want to leave this lavish lifestyle and become a church rat? Or will you choose a man at the expense of your father's dignity? Think about it Tammy, please" aunt Kathy pleaded.

Mr Cole sat there hoping his sister would be able to convince Tammy to go ahead with the marriage.Tammy couldn't believe her ears. She couldn't believe all she heard from the one person she thought would have her back. No one was willing to understand her and she wasn't willing to bend over for anyone.

"I won't marry Ryan, I won't! We'll figure out something else Dad, I can't marry Ryan!" she yelled, sobbing as she retreats to her bedroom.

As she glided up the stairs, her footsteps muffled by the thick cream-coloured carpet, her thoughts all clouded up. Suddenly, she heard a wince of pain. Ignoring it, she continued to go up the stairs not until she heard a thud on the floor.