CHAPTER ONE

“ You will be getting married to Lawson and that's final,” Bright McGregor said in a cold tone.

I had known my father as a man who always wants things done in his own way without anybody questioning his authority, but, he cannot have his way this time because I don't understand why he would just come in and ask me to marry someone I don't even know or love without my consent. As in he is saying it authoritatively. Where is it done?

I raised my head to look him straight in the eyes as he was heading inside his room. I was completely dumbfounded for some minutes, then I headed to his room.

“Why should I?” I asked.

“And if I declined, what would happen? You know I have a boyfriend, he comes here every time and you were never against the relationship.What changed? 

I watched as his face contorted with rage.If there was nothing Bright McGregor hated most,it was being disobeyed anytime he spoke.

“Don't you dare disobey me.I am your father,and you do whatever I ask you to do without questioning, or else I will disown you”. He said with a harsh tone. 

It finally dawned on me with startling clarity. I had been following my father's orders and doing everything he said, even if it meant sacrificing my happiness to please him, but no longer; all of this must stop; he can't dictate whom I want to spend the rest of my life with.

“ I believed you were always right, but not this time”. I whispered, surprising myself with how steady my voice sounded.

My father's expression flickered with surprise. Perhaps he expected me to easily accept as I used to do, especially when he threatened to disown me, as it has always been the right word to make me do what he wanted.

“ Father, you cannot force Lawson on me. Where should I put Aaron? We have been together for three years, and you know, and besides being twenty-seven years old, I should be able to make decisions on my own. I don't even know Lawson; all I know about him is that he is the founder and owner of the Lawson group, where you work, and he orders you around as he likes. Is that the kind of man you wanted me to get married to?”

I'm setting myself free. I can't let my father decide my love life for me.

This time, I have no remorse or regret, and I am proud of myself.

The tension in the room was palpable. I could see it in my father's face, he couldn't believe I would stand up to him. His look showed how shocked he was. He just kept muttering, unable to utter a word, and when he did, his tone changed so much that I even forgot it was my father talking.

“Try to understand me, Rachel. I want the best for you. Lawson Webmar is a good man, he loves you and has the intention to marry you, he is wealthy, he has so many companies everywhere, you can even be the head of one of his companies if you marry him, he lives in a mansion, he changes cars like he changes clothes, he can take good care of you without me having any fear. I am sure you will be happy with him, please consider this great opportunity to uplift our family level, please give him a chance”.

Bright McGregor, my father, who I know has never spoken to his children as he did to me that day. I was surprised and convinced that something was definitely wrong with the whole issue that I didn't know about.

“I’ve done my best to be a good and obedient child to you and made countless sacrifices to make you always happy with me, but all that has come to an end, I choose myself over anything and my happiness matters to me, I am no longer a child whom you can control as you wish. I don't care if you go ahead to disown me as you threatened”.

“I still stand on my ground, I am not getting married to Lawson, and you can't make me marry him”.

“ Did mummy even know about this?”.

Without waiting for him to answer or hear what else he has to say, I walked out, closing the door behind me quietly.

I left for the parking lot where my car was parked, opened the door, and zoomed off.

I drove straight to the hospital where my mother was admitted to check up on her, and to inform her about what my father said, but on getting here, I noticed Lawson Webmar was in the ward with my mother.

“Thank you so much for agreeing to pay for my operation, we don't know what would have happened to me if not for you, who helped us. Bright told me everything, don't worry, we will make sure she accepts you and will be your wife, she will definitely come around and accept you, just give her time and be patient with us” I heard my mother say.

I was furious. Now I understand why my father is trying every possible means to make me marry someone I didn't even love and have no feelings for.

I opened the door and entered the ward for them to see me, and know that I heard everything they said. Lawson extended his hand to greet me but I snubbed him and went straight to where my mother was. My mother saw the anger in me but couldn't say anything as she couldn't believe I heard everything she said to Lawson.

“Mother, so you knew about the whole thing from the beginning? How do you even plan everything without my consent? And you guys think I will accept this? No way, you guys are mistaken, it can never be possible.

I poured out my mind in his presence.I expected him to talk, but he didn't, he was just looking at me as I spoke, then my mother gestured towards me to move closer, but I didn't.

“Rachel, my daughter, I am so sorry for making you feel this way. I didn't plan for you to find out like this, but you heard everything. Mr. Lawson here really loves and wants to marry you. Please also consider my health, there was no other option than that please forgive us.”

My mother said with a pleading tone. I was devastated, and didn't know what else to say. I looked my mother in the face, turned

, and headed out of the ward and out of the hospital.