The Bride They Chose

Chapter 4 – The Bride They Chose

“Where’s Aria? The bride.”

My mother’s smile froze. Father cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.

“Mrs. Samson, there seems to be a small misunderstanding,” he began.

Mr. Samson looked from him to my mother. “What misunderstanding?”

“Evelyn will be the one marrying Adrian,” Father said.

Mrs. Samson blinked. “Evelyn?”

“Yes,” Mother replied quickly. “Our eldest daughter.”

“But we were told Aria would be coming,” Mr. Samson said. “Adrian and Aria have been seeing each other. We understood that she was the young woman being considered.”

“She was,” Father admitted. “But after discussing the matter as a family, we believe Evelyn is a better choice.”

Mrs. Samson looked at me carefully. “May I ask why?”

Mother leaned forward. “Evelyn is thirty-two. She is mature, responsible, and knows how to manage a home. Aria is still young. We don’t think she is ready for the responsibilities that come with marrying into a family like yours.”

“And you believe Evelyn is ready?” Mr. Samson asked.

“She is,” Father said firmly. “She has always been the dependable one. We believe she can handle this marriage better.”

Mrs. Samson glanced at her husband before asking, “Does Aria know about this change?”

Mother did not hesitate. “Of course. We have spoken to her. She understands that this is what is best for everyone, and she has accepted it.”

Mr. Samson seemed satisfied. “Good. We would not want this arrangement to cause unnecessary trouble between the sisters.”

“Not at all,” Father assured him. “They both understand the situation.”

“But Adrian has made his feelings for Aria clear,” I said. “Does that not matter?”

Mr. Samson exchanged a glance with his wife.

“Adrian has responsibilities. Feelings can change. What matters is that he marries and gives us an heir.”

“And you think he will accept me?”

“That is for Adrian to discuss with us,” Mrs. Samson replied.

I wanted to ask whether they had considered what I wanted, but the answer was clear.

I could no longer remain silent. I pushed my chair back and stood. “No, they don’t.”

Everyone turned toward me. “I don’t know what my parents have told you, but I have not agreed to marry Adrian. And Aria has not agreed to give him up. She is in love with him.”

“Evelyn,” my father said quietly.

I ignored him. “You should know the truth before making any decision. I am not here because I want this marriage.”

My father’s eyes met mine. His expression was enough to stop me. It was not a request. It was a warning, reminding me of what he had said about our family and the company.

My legs felt weak. Slowly, I lowered myself back into the chair.

Mrs. Samson watched the exchange, but she said nothing about it. Instead, she turned to her husband.

“We should consider what matters most to us,” she said.

Mr. Samson nodded. “Our family needs an heir. We have been waiting for Adrian to settle down and give us a grandchild. If Evelyn is capable of doing that, then we have no reason to object.”

Mother’s shoulders relaxed. “We are glad you understand.”

“Of course,” Mrs. Samson replied. “We want a stable marriage, but we also want this matter settled quickly.”

Father nodded eagerly. “We agree.”

Mr. Samson reached for a folder on the table. “Then let us discuss the terms.”

A man who had been standing near the sitting room entrance stepped forward and placed another document beside it. Mr. Samson opened the folder and turned it toward my parents.

“Our offer is twenty percent of the proceeds from our company shares for seven years,” he explained.

“The payments will be made according to the terms written here. This is what we are prepared to provide in exchange for the marriage arrangement.”

My father leaned forward. Mother’s eyes widened.

“Twenty percent?” Father asked.

“For seven years,” Mr. Samson confirmed. “It is a generous offer, and we expect both families to respect the agreement.”

“And the company assistance we discussed?” Father asked.

“The details are included in the document,” Mrs. Samson replied. “Everything will be properly recorded.”

I looked at the papers. My name appeared beside Adrian’s again.

A contract was placed before us. Mr. Samson explained that it contained the financial terms, the marriage arrangement, and the responsibilities expected from both families. One clause stood out.

Once finalized, the agreement would be strict and non-revocable. Neither family could withdraw from it.

My stomach tightened. I looked at everyone but they acted like it was normal.

Mrs. Samson answered calmly. “This is a family arrangement. We expect everyone involved to understand its seriousness before signing.”

I looked at my parents. Neither seemed interested in asking what I thought.

Father picked up the pen.

“The wedding should take place within three weeks,” Mr. Samson added. “The sooner, the better. We do not want this arrangement dragging on.”

“Three weeks is fine,” Mother said before I could speak.

My father signed first. Mother followed. The Samsons signed after them.

When the folder was finally shut, Father stood and thanked the couple. Mother rose too, smiling as if they had just secured a wonderful future for me.

Then the front door opened.

Footsteps crossed the entrance hall. A man walked into the sitting room, and the conversation stopped.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a dark suit. His presence filled the room before he even spoke. A clean, expensive scent reached me as he came closer.

I looked up.

It was Adrian.

His eyes moved from his parents to mine, then to the signed folder on the table.

“What is going on here?” he asked.

Mr. Samson smiled.

“Your marriage arrangement,” his father replied.

Adrian’s expression changed.

“What?”