The Decision

Lucille POV

It was that time again – the day before my birthday – when my aunt tried to hook me up with every man she came across.

This time, I don't even know who the guy is and just because it was my 20th birthday, she is in a hurry to get me off her hands.

Even if I don't know the guy.

"Are you listening to me, dear Lucille?" she asked in her honey-toned voice. I shifted my gaze from the bird that had just landed on my window and stared at her.

"Yes, aunt," I said.

Even after all the years we've spent together, I still couldn't understand why she was hell-bent on selling me off to someone to marry.

Did she really hate me that much?

Guess I would never ask that question.

"I have told you several times that in order to pay off the debt you owe this family, you need to marry the richest man available. This person I've found brought a very _very_ suitable price, I was also shocked," she clapped her hands excitedly as she rose up.

My eyes followed her movement without actually paying attention to what she was saying.

"So that's why you want to sell my happiness?" I blurted out dryly, then widened my eyes in disbelief when I realized what I had said.

"Your happiness?" She questioned, followed by a dark chuckle. "Do you think you deserve to be happy?" The pen in her hand snapped into two, just as my heart seemed to skip a beat.

I gripped the pillow on my thighs tightly, hiding my rage very well. She shouldn't know I was angry right now.

"I understand," I cut her off through gritted teeth, noticing that she clicked her heels noisily, as if waiting for me to agree with her. Something she always does.

"Good girl," she walked straight at me and patted my head. Since my head was low, she couldn't see my expression and my rage.

"Now, go get dressed. You have to look your prettiest tomorrow. After all, you are the flower goddess in the family." I bit my lip. Without even looking up, I could imagine her smile-stained lips and mischief glowing out of her green eyes.

I nodded and simply went into my walk-in wardrobe, something I didn't deserve but was forcefully given.

Inside my wardrobe, I slumped against the door. I couldn't control the hot tears that dribbled down my face. To stop my voice from being heard by her, I pressed a hand to my lips and sobbed silently.

"I don't deserve to be happy," she told me. Why? Wasn't I, a human being? My heart felt like it was being picked up and shattered on a cold floor.

"Lucille~~~" she called my name in a sing-song voice, and I jerked up to it. She was cruel.

"You better get ready. We'll be leaving for the mall in a few minutes~~" she hummed as she left my room, slamming the door behind her.

As if a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, I sighed in relief, but that still didn't stop the pain in my heart from spreading like wildfire. I felt weak.

After I felt okay enough to do anything, I walked into the bathroom to fix my face. I wouldn't want my aunt to know I was crying like some pathetic loser.

I picked the plainest dress that wouldn't draw any attention – a flowery dress seemed like the right option; I would look like a flower shopkeeper.

I packed my hair into a bun and slipped my foot into a sandal. Just as my aunt stepped in, without even commenting on the clothes – for which I was grateful – she dragged me out of the room.

The whole day was boring, but it was a good distraction from my suicidal thoughts because tomorrow was my birthday and the day I sealed my fate.

When we finally returned home, I was physically and emotionally drained. I had to drag my feet to my pink comfy bed.

Lying face flat on the sheets, I thought about the person I might meet tomorrow: a smelly old man? A playboy? A slave trader? Or a monster?

What would Jacob think of this? I didn't tell him about my aunt's plan because of the sudden news.

I am sure Jacob was going to propose to me tomorrow. Picking up my phone from my table stand, I decided to text him.

While I was trying to dial his number, I decided to dial Danielle's number instead. I flipped to lie on my back so I could see the ceiling, wishing they were stars. The phone rang for a while before the other end picked up.

"Hey... Danielle, I need to talk to you..." I hesitated.

"I am kind of a little busy right now. Can I call you back?" Danielle whispered into the phone as if she was trying to be quiet so someone else wouldn't hear her. I didn't care, though.

"But it's urgent. My aunt is planning to sell me off to some stranger I have never even met in my life," I snapped, and there was a short silence from the other end.

"...Danielle?" I called out before I could hear soft breathing from the other end. I flushed red realising what was going on.

Why would Danielle be doing something so promiscuous when she was on a phone call?

"Who is that on the line..." The phone slipped out of my hand before I could even comprehend the male voice I heard.

Jacob?

That couldn't be Jacob, right?

My heart drummed against my chest when I realized what was going on.

'my aunt was going to sell me off to a stranger'

'he was going to propose to me tomorrow.'

I thought I was done crying, I was already emotionally tired; I wanted to sleep and never have to wake up.

Jacob had been sleeping with my friend. The question still remains when did it start and why would he do it?

He promised to take me on my birthday, but he was fucking my bestfriend behind my back.

He made me wait only for this to happen. At this point, I felt empty... so empty that I couldn't even think.

'Your parents died, your aunt wants to sell you off, and now your boyfriend prefers your best friend over you.'

You are worthless and useless. You don't deserve to be loved.' These words were the only thing echoing in my mind.

My day was already bad, yet it had to be worse. I have to leave everything; I have to run away. I couldn't marry some stranger, neither could I marry the man I loved, who didn't love me back.

It was easier said than done, but it was something I would better do. Rather than marry someone I didn't want to, I would rather relocate and start a new life with the money my parents left for me.

Yes, I do have my inheritance, but my aunt, who so coveted it, never knew where it was. Only I, the daughter of the Walker family, knew where it was.

"I hate you, Jacob Miller," I sobbed, and I didn't even notice I was still on the call.

Nothing mattered anymore.

After what looked like 2 hours, I didn't even have the strength to cry anymore. I had a splitting headache, and I just wanted to sleep, but that was too farfetched.

A loud bang startled me as I sat up in a fright, sitting up right. My hair was almost like Medusa's, and I glared at the door.

"Lucille, Jacob is here for you! Quickly open the door,"