The Sacrifice

Chapter 2 – The Sacrifice

“Are you kidding me right now?”

My mother’s expression hardened. “Lower your voice, Evelyn.”

I stared at her. “You planned my marriage without asking me, and you expect me to accept it?”

Father pushed his chair back. “Sit down. We need to talk about this calmly.”

“I am calm,” I replied. “I am simply trying to understand how my parents can plan to hand me over to a man who is dating my sister.”

Mother folded her arms. “Adrian is not just any man. He is the only son of Samson's family. A marriage to him will secure our future and save our dying business.”

“Your future, your business,” I corrected. “What about mine?”

She looked away.

Father rubbed his forehead. “Our company is in serious trouble. You know that. We have debts we cannot pay, and the banks are no longer willing to wait. Adrian’s family has offered to help us, but they expect something in return.”

“And that something is me?”

“It is a marriage between two families,” he said.

“Call it whatever you like. It does not change what you are doing. You know he's in a relationship with Aria right?”

Mother stepped closer. “We considered Aria first, but she is too young for a man like Adrian. He is almost fifty. She is only nineteen.”

“So you decided I should take her place?”

“You are thirty-two, Evelyn. You are old enough to understand marriage and handle the responsibilities that come with it.”

“Being older does not mean I should marry someone I do not love.”

“Love is not the only thing that matters,” she snapped. “Look at the state of this family. Do you think we can afford to be sentimental?”

I looked at Father. He stared at the papers on his desk.

“Does Adrian even know about this?” I asked.

Mother hesitated. That was enough to make my stomach tighten.

“Does he?” I repeated.

“His parents know,” Father answered. “They have agreed to meet up tomorrow to discuss the arrangement.”

“I did not ask about his parents.”

“Adrian will be informed,” Mother said. “His family wants him to settle down. They believe this marriage is suitable.”

“Suitable for whom? Because it certainly isn’t suitable for me.”

Mother’s patience faded. “Adrian is wealthy, respected, and capable of giving you a comfortable life. Many women would be grateful.”

“Then let one of those women marry him.”

“This is not a joke.”

“Neither is my life with a man I don't love.”

Father finally raised his eyes. “Evelyn, listen. His family has agreed to help us settle our debts. There might also be things attached to it so it's best you learn to love him while inside the marriage. While we keep the business alive and protect this house.”

I felt sick. “So you are selling me out because of the family's debt?”

“Do not speak like that,” Father said.

“Then tell me what I should call it.”

Mother shook her head. “We are trying to save this family. You should be thinking about that instead of making accusations.”

“And what happens if I refuse?”

I knew they would not like my question. Still, I needed to hear how far they would go to get what they wanted.

Neither answered immediately.

“You said my refusal could destroy everyone. What does that mean?”

Father leaned back. “If we pull out now, we could lose their promised support. Our creditors will not wait, and we may lose the company and this house.”

“So you will let all of us suffer if I say no?”

“We are asking you to help us avoid that,” Mother replied.

“You are not asking. You have already chosen.”

Her lips pressed together. “Evelyn, you have always been the sensible one. Aria is young. She has her whole life ahead of her. We cannot put her in a marriage with a man nearly fifty.”

“But you can put me in one?”

“You are older. You can handle it.”

I took a step back. “You keep saying that as if it makes this fair.”

Father stood. “We are not trying to hurt you.”

“Then stop.”

He fell silent. The door opened before either of them could speak. Aria walked in, holding her phone.

“Mom, have you seen my—”

She stopped when she noticed me. Her eyes moved between our faces. “What’s going on?”

“Go upstairs,” Mother said quickly. “I’ll come in a moment.”

Aria frowned. “Why is Evelyn looking at you like that?”

“Aria, do as your mother said,” Father told her.

She glanced at me again, then left. Mother closed the door behind her.

I turned back to my parents. “Does she know?”

Mother’s face changed. “Know what?”

“That you were planning to marry me to Adrian because you think she is too young for him.”

“She does not need to be involved in this discussion.”

“She is already involved. She is dating him.”

“Evelyn, enough,” Father warned.

“No. I want to hear you say it. You expect me to marry Adrian, even though you know he is with Aria.”

Mother’s voice became cold. “The wedding will happen. We have made our decision, and the families are moving forward.”

I stared at her. “And if I refuse?”

“Think about what your refusal will cost us,” she said. “Your father could lose everything he has worked for. We could lose this home. The whole family could be left with nothing.”

There it was again. A burden placed on my shoulders.

Father picked up a thick folder and slid it across the desk.

“Read the agreement,” he said.

I did not touch it.

Mother looked straight at me. “The meeting with Adrian’s family is tomorrow. After that, preparations will begin. The wedding date will be decided soon.”

My gaze dropped to the folder. My name was printed beside Adrian’s.

They had not asked me.

They had already signed their part.

And now they expected me to sign away the rest of my life.