Chapter 1

I felt the sting on my face before I could process what had happened. I had been slapped by my Father. Someone who was supposed to be my protector. I clenched my fists and bit my bottom lip to prevent talking back. It never ended well. It had always been that way.

"How could you say that to your Father Elara?" My Mother asked, looking shocked. "After everything he has done for you?"

She seemed like the perfect Mother. Innocent looking and graceful. Elegant and demure. The picture perfect wife and Mother. At least that's what the outside world believed. Sometimes I wondered if she picked me up from the trash.

"I will not marry him." I said my voice trembling. I didn't care whatever they had cooked up. I wasn't going to marry a complete stranger. I absolutely wouldn't.

"And I say you will! I am your Father! I get to decide what your future looks like." He thundered loudly.

"By shipping me off to marry a ruthless man? We've all heard the rumors. Cassian Rooke is a beast in human form. Everyone speaks ill of him and how much of a savage he is, and now you just want to hand me over to him?" I almost scoffed. "I came here worried for Father because you called to tell me he was seriously ill." I turned to my Mother. "How could you lie like that Mom?"

"Because you never come to see us. You're such an ungrateful daughter. The only way to get you to come here was to tell you that, and it wasn't entirely a lie. He has been worried, thinking about this predicament. His blood pressure has been hitting the roof." She looked exasperated. "Would you rather Melissa marry that savage? She is your younger sister for crying out loud. She's going to be so scared. You should be willing to sacrifice for her. That's your sacrifice as the elder daughter of this household." My Mother said, comforting a sobbing Melissa. A sob that I was 100% sure was false.

Sacrifice. Oh, how I hated that word. I had heard it growing up all my life. Sacrifice this. Sacrifice that. It was always about sacrifice.

"I won't do it! She's the one their family asked for. Why do I have to be the sacrificial lamb?" I yelled as much as my voice would let me.

"You're so fucking ungrateful! We raised you for so many years. Clothed and educated you. Melissa was the one more suited for school, but we sent you too hoping to give you a life, and you stand there throwing our years of raising you in our face?!" My Father growled, advancing towards me like he wanted to hit me again. I stepped back in fear. "The Rookes need one of you girls to marry their son. This will be good for our family business. Our legacy. Imagine the connections we would have."

"I'm your goddamn responsibility! You gave birth to me!"

"I'm starting to doubt that. As an elder sister, you should be willing to lay down your life for your sister."

"And who lays down their life for me?" I felt a crack in my voice. "O.. Or am I just not important?"

"I.. It's alright." Melissa said with a sob. "I... I can marry him. If Elara won't, then I will. I.. I don't want to cause you or Daddy any trouble." Mother shushed her immediately like she had uttered a forbidden word.

My Father turned to glare at me. "You see that? She is ready to do it, not even caring for her safety. That's how selfless Melissa has always been, unlike your selfish ass. You only think about yourself." He took a deep breath.

"Since you have decided to prove stubborn, I have no choice." His face turned cold. "I will withdraw all the support I have provided for the foundation you own. All my friends who are currently sponsors will also stop their contributions. Donations will stop."

My eyes widened. "No!" "How could you bring them into this?! They are just homeless children! They don't deserve that!"

"Do I look like I care?! Those rats are a charity case. I don't care about them. Making any donation is for my image and reputation alone. Since you don't care about them, there is no need to pour money into their worthless ass! I can take my donations elsewhere." He was about to walk away.

"No! Wait!" I had no idea when I dropped to my knees holding my Father's leg. "You can't do this! You can't!" I said desperately.

"Get off me!" He kicked me off his shoes, landing on my jaw as I groaned. There was no time to think about the pain as I held his feet again.

"P.. Please d.. don't do this." I was already crying, feeling the tears on my cheeks. "They don't deserve this."

He stopped and turned to me, a look of triumph on his face.

"Only you have the power to save them now. You know the words to say, or else those kids next meal won't be guaranteed, and it will be all your fault. Say it, Elara."

I froze. Blackmailing the one thing I cared about just to get me to agree to this preposterous idea. Marrying Cassian Rooke. I gulped as I clenched my fists on the ground.

I had no choice in the matter anymore. I cleaned my tears. My life had been pretty much filled with shitty circumstances. What was one more added to it?

"I... I'll do it." I finally said.

He broke into a smile. "Now you're acting like a good daughter. This is splendid news." He picked me up from the ground, looking at me like a golden egg.

"You've done the right thing, Elara. This is your responsibility to your family." Mother said.

"Thank you, sister. I couldn't imagine living with that horrid man. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." Melissa's tears had suddenly disappeared as she thanked me excitedly, even hugging me.

"I'll call and let them know immediately that we can have dinner tomorrow night."

"T... Tomorrow?!" Why so soon?

"Yes. We have to make the appropriate introductions as soon as possible. The Rooke family would like you to join their family very quickly. It is an honor and you should treat it as such." Father spoke.

"I'll call for the stylist immediately to get you something fabulous to wear." Mother said excitedly.

I bit my cheek not responding knowing arguing would get me nowhere. I was trapped.