Chapter 1

The price of Dignity

Never In my wildest dreams would I think that my parents would be the ones to sell me off like a piece of cake, like my existence meant nothing to them.

“You will be getting married soon, and there will be no excuses,” my father said, his voice firm. No remorse. No concern. No apologies whatsoever. Sometimes, I question if my father really wanted to have children of his own or he did it because of his wife, my mother who was in dire need of a child even if it was at least one.

“To who?” I asked sternly, even though it felt like I already knew the answer.

“Denzel Connor Adams,” my mother replied slowly.

“Denzel Connor Adams!” I repeated in disbelief. “Dad! Mum! How?!

I felt nauseous, replaying some old events I've heard about this same man.The name alone sent a cold rush through me. Denzel Connor Adams—Powerful, Mean, Ruthless, Handsome. A CEO whose presence dominated every Gala we have ever attended, who stared at people like they were business transactions. Now he is to be my future husband? Just wow!

“You guys are really kidding right.” I tried to laugh, but it cracked mid-sentence.

“We are going down, the family business Amelia Rayna,” my father said, his face still, unreadable. “Do you wanna see your brother dropout of school? Your mother’s treatments stop? Are you really asking me questions”?

“Why him? Why him Dad” I whispered close to tears.

“He agreed, sweetheart,” my mother said, trying to sweet tongue me. “Your father spoke to him about it, and he... agreed.” My mum's head dropped and silence filled the room like it was summoned.

“Why me dad? Why me?! Why not Ivy?” I asked, fully drenched in my own tears while moving closer to sit at a nearby couch.” You handed me over like I was your source of income.” Light sobs.

“It’s just for two years,” she snapped, guilt clear in her voice. “A contract marriage in exchange of debt. After that, you will be free.”

Free? Does that word exist in Denzel's world? No!! I doubt I'll ever be free again.

My mind flashed to Oliver; my little brother with a brilliant mind but reckless choices of decision. His future always and will always mean everything to me. If he ends his education now, he will eventually join bad gangs. I knew he didn’t ask for all this, but even tho... I hated the vulnerability of it all.ū hard for me and your mother to take, but it was our only option considering what is at stake….”I cut him midway his sentence “What's at stake dad?! What?!! I screamed at the top of my lungs.. “Is it your fame? Your Lust after money and power? Your constant bragging? Your…..” I was about to say something else before my mother interrupted calmly..

“Hey sweetheart, just calm down, this is a hard time for all of us and I know it's a little bit hard on you, why don't you just calm down and think this through” And that was my typical mother, calmly pushing you to do her bidding always.

I stood up, took one last glance at them and said “ You'll hear from me tomorrow, Goodnight”. I ran upstairs unsure of what next to do.

The next day, I was standing inside Denzel’s sleek, cold estate.This place looked like it had never known warmth. Much like the owner himself. Tch! And yes, after tossing on my bed all through the night and thinking about the offer,I accepted it, because of my brother's involvement.

At about 11:30 am, Denzel sent his driver to come get me so we could have lunch together. Walking through the hallway, all eyes on me, silent whispers amongst his staff, I've never felt this uneasy in a long while. Whew! I was at the door of his office already,braced up for whatever was going to happen.

He was seated behind his desk in his office I suppose when I entered, and I was stunned. Jeez! The Press doesn't do justice to this man's Beauty. This man looks like a demi-god… I was still in admiration when I felt someone Peering into my soul, His facial expression unreadable.

“You agreed so fast, is this how fast you want to marry?” I said, keeping my voice steady.

“Your parents did,” he replied. “They came to me, I just accepted the terms and conditions.”

“You could have said No.”

“But I didn’t.” His eyes met mine. “I want this.”

“Why?”

He stood and walked quietly to me. “Because it’s convenient. You will serve a purpose.”

His words stung more than a bee should have. I knew he didn’t at least like me. I knew this wasn’t a love tale. But I wasn’t mentally prepared for how coldly he passed his message to me.

“And after two years?” I asked.

“We part ways. You get freedom. Your family gets financial relief. I get what I need.”

“What’s that?”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. It was all strategy to him.

“I will never love you,” I whispered with a tone of disgust.

He leaned in, so close I could smell the expensive cologne on his shirt

“Good. Because that would only complicate things. Go through the contract, we'd meet tomorrow I'll text you the location, My lawyer will be available,make sure yours is too” Say me Hi to Mr & Mrs James.

I looked at him teary-eyed, picked up the contract I was meant to go over and sign, walked out of that room with a hundred and one questions in my head.

Two years of my life, sold for debt, Two years of my life, wasted. A marriage built on secrets. How am I supposed to live? How the hell am I supposed to cope? Damn!!!!

And the worst part was?

This was just the beginning, only just the beginning.

On my way out of the estate, with shaky hands I ordered a cab that would take me home.