Chapter 1

Evelyn opens her phone to see a message. She opens to see that it is the message she has been expecting, she has been given a scholarship to study at C University. She has always wanted to business administration as it is her dream to run her mother’s company.

”Oh my goodness, I cant believe that I was given the scholarship.” Evelyn happily says.

Evelyn was born to a wealthy family, her mother was from a very wealthy family but she got married to her father who was just an ordinary office worker. She does not know her mother’s family as they disowned her after marrying someone that was not their choice. Evelyn’s mother died when she was just 7 years old from a mysterious sickness. 

Immediately her mother died, her father brought in her present stepmother. Her stepmother did not come empty handed though; she came with a girl just 6 months younger than her. At first, she did not understand but now she understands that her father must have been cheating on her mother before she died.

She hears a knock on her door, and someone suddenly enters without her permission. She sees that it was one of their maids. 

Despite being the oldest daughter in the family, she is not treated with respect. She is often looked down on. This is due to the fact that even her own father does not love and prefers his other daughter to her and her step mother openly insults. So even the maids do not bother to give any respect.

“Miss Evelyn, your father says you should come and see him, he is currently in the living room.” The maid says and saunters off.

She sighs and leaves to see her father, nearing the living room. She hears her younger step sister, Ayla screaming on top of her voice.

“ I don’t want that ugly and disabled man. Father, don’t you hear about how ugly he is. Why do I have to marry him? I am not going to marry him”. She hears her step sister, Ayla shout. Ayla is a celebrity, though not really on the top, she is well known for her innocent personality. Which is not true of course, once she alone her character takes a 360 turn.

“You are going to marry him. Just because I spoil you do not mean that you can anyhow. Do you know how much he is willing to invest in our company? This marriage must not fall through.” Mr. Hawkins, Evelyn father shouts

“Don’t shout at our daughter like that. Why does she have to marry the ugly man? Why can’t you allow your other daughter to marry him?” Step mother says

“You think I would not have done that if it was possible, the family specifically asked for Ayla. They said she was the one they wanted. Do you think we can stand up against the Andrews family? They can make us disappear from it place once. So yes, Ayla must marry him; you are going to have a comfortable lifestyle, is that not enough?”

“I was told you wanted to see me father, is everything fine?”

Evelyn presence is finally noticed by the arguing family.

“Yes, you are here. Ayla is going to get married soon and I want you to make sure nothing goes wrong. I also want you start thinking about getting married. I will soon find a match for you.”

“But father, I don’t want to get married now. I was coming to tell you now, I was given a scholarship to study business administration at C university, I just saw the message now.”

“I don’t know why you want to study business administration, you don’t need it. This does not change anything as long as you get a suitable match you will get married and that is final. Unless you want to leave this house.”

Evelyn frowns at what her father says.

“Ayla, you are going to get married next week, I don’t know why but they want to rush this wedding. So yes, you should start preparing. They are going to bring in your dress and accessories you need.”

“What?? Next week?? I don’t want this marriage.” Ayla breaks down and starts crying.

Mr. Hawkins ignores her and leaves the living room. Step mother continues to comfort her daughter and Evelyn stands awkwardly. She finally leaves to her room, but not before she hears her step daughter ranting to her mother.

“Mother, why can’t that girl just get married to the ugly man. Why should I have to be the one to sacrifice my happiness?”

Evelyn enters her room and sees her mother’s picture, she smiles and holds it.

“Mom, I got the scholarship. Are you proud of me? I hope you continue to watch over me and don’t let father find a match for me until I am ready.”

She drops the phone and picks up her phone to call her best friend, Kate.

She has been friends with Kate since when they were children as their mothers were very close to each other. Kate always supports her no matter what and she feels that she is very lucky to have Kate as her friend.

Kate answers her call.

“Hey babe, how are you?”

“I am good; I have some good news to tell you.”

“Ok that sounds good. What is the good news?”

“You know about that scholarship I was telling you about for C University. The full funded one.”

“Oh yes, I remember you telling me about it. Oh my God, did you get the scholarship?” Kate asks her 

“Yes, I did.” Kate squeals hearing this 

“I am so happy for you Evelyn, you can finally get out of that house.”

“Yes, but there is problem. My father says that he wants to set a match for me as soon as possible.”

“What? Really? I can’t believe your father. Did you tell your father about the scholarship?”

“Yes I did, he said that I should get out of his house if I did not want to follow his rules.”

“You should leave his house and come and live with me Evelyn. My parents will be very happy to host you.”

“I know Kate, but you know I don’t want to leave my mother properties and company in the hand of that woman.” Evelyn says.

“I understand you, but do you think that your father is ready to leave your mother’s properties to you.”

“I can wish Kate, by the way I also want to tell you something else.”

“What is it?”

“Ayla has been engaged and she is going to get married soon.”

“Really, who is she getting married to?”

“You know the first son of the Andrews family; she is getting married to him.”

“The ugly, violent and disabled one? It serves her right. I am so happy now. Kate says cheeringly.

“She is getting married next weekend”

“But there is something I need to know, why did they not push this engagement on you. Normally, they would force you to marry him instead.” Kate asks

“I was also surprised but apparently, the family specifically asked for her and my father cannot reject their proposal because of the large dowry and large amount of investments.”

“Well that serves her well. At least, one of our problems is leaving.”

“Yes, I am also relieved. I have to go, I was put in charge of the wedding.”

“Wow, your father is a piece of work. I cant believe him, he does not hesitate to use anybody for his goal”

“Goodbye Kate, I will talk to you later.”

“See you later, Evelyn” 

Evelyn hangs up the call 

Evelyn prepares to go out to start preparing for the wedding. 

Getting downstairs, she sees Ayla still sobbing. As she was trying to leave, Ayla suddenly lunges at her and starts screaming.

“I know you must be happy to see me cry, but this is not the end I will make sure that I turn the tables.”

Evelyn suddenly gets an ominous feeling from she said but she quickly shakes it off and leaves her seething without saying.

A week quickly passes away, and Evelyn who has spent a lot of time, planning and preparing the wedding is very excited to be almost done.

During the week, the Andrews family sent a lot of this, jewelries, clothes and other things that made people marvel at the wealthy state of the family.

Alya has been suspiciously silent these past few days. Mr. Hawkins thinks that it is a sign that she had accepted everything but Evelyn cannot help but feel that there is more it.

A day to the wedding, everything has been set and there is a festive aura in the mansion.

Lying on her bed, Evelyn feels fearful and ominous for some reason that even she does not know but she tries to calm herself.

 And eventually drifts asleep convincing herself that everything would be fine.