Chapter 2

I sat in front of my vanity mirror as I looked at the jewelry display of pearls staring at me.

The first time my Mother ever gave me something expensive to wear.

According to her, we couldn't be looking like a shabby family to the Rookes.

I took a sharp breath as I touched them. They seemed like glass, beautiful and delicate. I had to be careful because Mother had already warned me that nothing should happen to them.

I wasn't planning on letting anything happen anyways.

I got pulled out of my trance as I heard a knock on my bedroom door. The room I spent my childhood in.

"Come in." I called, turning to face the mirror once more.

"Hello, sister." Melissa strutted in with her blonde locks cascading down and her usual perfect manicured red nails.

I looked at her through the mirror. "What do you want, Melissa?"

"Oh, don't be so rude. I just wanted to check on you. See how you're preparing to get married off to 'the freak'." She chuckled her lashes fanning her cheeks.

I didn't say anything.

"Is there something important you have to say Lisa? As you can see I'm getting ready." I styled my strawberry blonde hair in a simple low bun. Nothing extra.

"I will really like to see how you will manage this. You're always so calm. Now I'll finally see something." She put on fake doe eyes as she clapped her hands together.

"I am worried about you, though. I've heard the stories about Cassian. I heard he lives like an animal and has this horrid deformity on his face. I can't imagine waking up to that face every day." She shuddered.

"You're such a good big sister. Always protecting me. I do appreciate it, though. Really, I do." She said with kindness, placing her hands on my shoulders and meeting my eyes through the mirror.

Anyone could have mistaken her for being actually kind, but I wasn't fooled. Melissa had been playing this game since we were young. The perfect daughter. Good grades, best social calendar. Best school, best career. She was their prized child.

"Here. Let me help you." She said, walking over to me and picking up the pearl necklace. "It's exquisite." She smirked. "I wonder if it will crack if it falls." She said as she almost let it go, then laughed.

"Melissa." I said warningly. "If you're here to play games, leave."

"I just want to help you put it on." She pouted.

She walked up to me placing the necklace around my neck. I watched her through the mirror as she clasped it around her neck and gave a sweet smile.

"Ouch."

Melissa's manicured nail nicked my neck. There was definitely going to be a mark.

"Oh, sorry. That was an accident. These nails keep nicking things." Her eyes glinted.

"I need to be alone, Melissa." I managed to say with a tone of finality, touching the wound as I winced again. It stung.

Melissa rolled her eyes, and then strutted out of the room.

I took a deep breath as she left. I felt so unsafe. This house felt like it was closing in on me until I had no space to breathe. I felt my stomach churn in a very uncomfortable way. I hoped that I wasn't about to throw up, although I half expected to. This night was going to be terrible after all. I took a last deep breath and finally stood up.

No use delaying the inevitable. This was something I was doing for the children.

The car ride there had been.... Insufferable. I had wished it had been over every minute as Mother and Father gave me lessons on how to behave properly. They were so worried about how our 'in-laws to be' would perceive our family. I rolled my eyes at their behavior.

We were here now, and I was kind of wishing the ride was longer. I could feel my heart in my throat as I felt the familiar discomfort in my stomach as I stood in front of the huge mansion. This was sickening to say the least.

The door was soon opened by a maid who looked to be about my age. She bowed, took my parents' coats, then ushered us in.

I gulped as we came in full view of a dining hall with a spread fit for royalty. I didn't even know whose house we were at. All I knew was that it was fucking grand. From the stone drive through and the angel fountain just outside, the Rooke family definitely lived up to their expectations.

"Mr Wright. I am pleased you honored my invitation. Please come in." A woman in her late 50s spoke to my Father as they shook hands.

"Mrs Rooke, it is always a pleasure. I am pleased you decided to invite us." He turned to us. "Here are my two lovely daughters. Elara and Melissa. The apples of my eye I call them." He laughed at his own joke as the woman chuckled.

"Have a seat, ladies. These here are my twins, Kayla and Kieran." She said as they all exchanged pleasantries.

The twins gave Lisa and me a look as they turned to each other and smirked like they knew something. Something they were not going to share.

"Is Cassian not joining us for the evening?" He definitely wanted to see the freak of a man. Everyone wanted to.

"He's just experiencing a little hiccup. I hope you don't mind putting up with us for the time being."

"Oh, not at all. We were just concerned. I'm sure your husband will be thrilled at the progress you have made with Rooke industries." Father hurriedly said.

"Ah yes. May his soul continue to rest. I do miss him sometimes but what can I do? So, which of these two lovely girls is to be married to my son?" She asked turning to both of us.

"Elara, dear, say hello to Mrs Rooke." My Mother said.

"H.. Hi." I said shyly. My nerves were all over the place and not in a flattering way. I could feel sweat gather in my palms and on my forehead.

"You are beautiful. I'm sure you and Cassian will get along wonderfully." She said in a sweet voice.

She was creepy.

"Have you been told about what is expected of you in this marriage?" She asked me.

"Um... no?" What did she mean? Was getting married to her tyrant of a son not enough?

"Within the first year of your marriage, you are expected to be with child."

"What?!" My eyes widened as my fork dropped from my hand. That wasn't the agreement. My eyes turned to my parents who avoided my eyes as they looked down at their plates like it was suddenly the most interesting thing in the world. They knew. They knew!

"I'm sure she will be delighted to once she meets him. We all want an heir after all. Nothing like an offspring to carry Cassian's legacy." My Father spoke.

"I prefer to be addressed as Mr Rooke." A voice spoke.