Chapter 2

Tears streamed down Jenny’s cheeks uncontrollably as she imagined the pain she would soon have to endure.

“I’m not here to lash you or yell at you,” Emma said softly, sitting beside her—something she had never done before. “I’m here to talk to you… like a mother would talk to her child.”

Jenny blinked rapidly, confused by the sudden softness. “What happened, Mom? Why do you look so worried?” she asked, though her voice trembled with fear.

“Please marry Richard, my dear.”

Emma dropped the words calmly, but they hit Jenny like a bomb.

“Why, Mom? We all know that man doesn’t know how to treat a woman! He’s ruthless. Please… don’t make me do this,” Jenny begged through tears.

“I’m not forcing you, dear,” Emma said gently, stroking her cheek. “But it’s for all of us. If one of you doesn’t marry him, he’ll shut down all our companies and leave us with nothing. I wanted to talk to Amy, but she has a boyfriend and she wouldn’t listen to me. You’re my last hope… please don’t say no.”

Emma’s voice broke as she tried to kneel in front of Jenny, but Jenny quickly grabbed her hands.

“No! No, please don’t kneel,” Jenny cried. “I’ll do it. I’ll marry him. Just… don’t do that.”

Emma’s eyes glistened. “Thank you, dear.”

“I’ll endure whatever happens to me,” Jenny whispered, though her heart shook. “I believe every man has a weakness… and maybe one woman can change him, no matter how tough he is.”

“Go tell your father, then,” Emma said, pulling her into a tight hug. Jenny gently pulled away and hurried upstairs.

But as soon as she left, Emma’s gentle expression twisted into a wicked smirk.

“Now my daughter is free,” she muttered darkly. “And you will be treated like the slave you are.”

Jenny ran upstairs to her father’s room and knocked repeatedly. No answer. She opened the door—empty. She hurried to the study, and there she found him.

Robert was sitting at his desk, shoulders shaking, tears falling silently.

Time seemed to freeze.

“Dad…” she whispered, squatting in front of him.

He quickly wiped his tears, trying to appear strong. “What happened, dear?” he asked, though his voice cracked.

“Why are you crying?” she asked softly.

“I’m not crying,” he lied.

Jenny frowned sharply. “Don’t lie to me, Dad. I saw you before you even noticed I was here.” She folded her arms tightly. “Stop pretending. Tell me what’s going on.”

Robert sighed deeply. He could no longer hold the mask.

“I didn’t want to tell you because you’ve suffered enough, but… Anderson’s Construction Company exists today because of Old Logard. Every major investor is connected to him. He owns seventy-five percent of the shares,” he explained. “And now he says if we don’t provide a wife for Richard within forty-eight hours, everything I’ve worked for—my sweat, my labor—will disappear with a snap of his fingers.”

He leaned back, eyes filled with years of regret.

“His son used to be a sweet, colorful boy… until something changed him. Now he’s a ruthless monster. How do I hand my daughter over to such a family? How?” Robert’s voice broke completely. Tears dripped freely.

Jenny’s heart cracked. But she needed to understand everything.

“Dad… why did you borrow money from the Logard family in the first place?”

Robert closed his eyes in shame. “Twenty years ago… I went clubbing with friends. I got drunk and made a terrible mistake. I slept with Emma. I couldn’t tell your mother—I didn’t have the courage. That one night stand resulted in Amy’s birth. Emma demanded money for the hospital bills and threatened to ruin my marriage if I didn’t pay. I had no choice but to borrow from the Logards… and in return, I promised that one of my daughters would marry Richard.”

He covered his face. “When your mother died, I thought I owed Emma and Amy a chance at a better life… because my mistake created them. None of this would’ve happened if I had never gone out that night.”

Jenny stood there silently. Then her resolve hardened.

“I will marry Richard,” she said with fierce clarity.

Robert’s head snapped up. “What do you mean?” he asked, unsure if he heard correctly.

“I said… I will marry Richard,” she repeated firmly.

Seeing the determination in her eyes, he let out a shaky smile through his tears. “Thank you, dear… thank you.”

“I’ll call them right away,” he said, wiping his face. “They’ll come tomorrow morning… to meet their new daughter-in-law.”

Jenny nodded weakly and left with heavy steps. She might appear strong in front of them, but inside… she was terrified.

Back in her room, Jenny collapsed to the floor. Her dreams—of marrying a man who loved her, a man who would protect her, a man who would erase every scar caused by her stepmother and stepsister—were shattered.

Now she was walking straight into the arms of a man everyone feared.

Would he treat her kindly?

Or would she remain a slave for the rest of her life?

The more she thought about it, the harder she cried… until sleep finally dragged her under.

The door swung open.

Amy sauntered in with a smug smile, her eyes glittering with amusement.

“I see you’re still sleeping,” she said, smirking. “But I don’t think you’re ready for what’s about to happen.”

Before Jenny could respond, Amy turned to leave.

“Oh—by the way, your future in-laws are downstairs waiting for you. Better hurry!”

The door slammed shut.

Jenny froze.

What?

She had only agreed a few hours ago.

How could they already be here?