Chapter 16

Emily’s POV

The air in this awful room was damp and stinky. It made my already sour mood even worse. And as I sat here, held hostage by Adrian’s men, the only thought that comes to my mind is….

*I shouldn’t have tried to run away.* I regret ever thinking I could leave in the first place.

Father was lenient enough to spare me when I got back home yesterday night even after everything. He just asked me to attend the wedding, and that was how I found out that Brianna had become my substitute— the replacement bride.

How convenient.

Thinking back to the perfect image of love and happiness that shone through as I watched Adrian and Brianna get married, I couldn’t help but be spiteful.

The wedding was mine in the first place. So, I had every right to object. I was the one who was to be wedded in the first place—not Brianna. Definitely not her.

She couldn’t have this, not if I couldn’t. Not when it was all I have ever longed for and what I had just lost. True love, soulmates, a happy home. Warm and fuzzy that makes your heart swell with joy.

I saw the love in Adrian’s eyes, and it broke me. I thought I had that once but I was so awfully wrong. Fucking Danny never looked at me that way, I had deluded myself to think he cared about me.

Almost a week ago, I was the one with unmistakable glow of love in her eyes. But not anymore, not after what he did and said. His words that shattered every hope and dream of my perfect ending.

I realized in that moment, with undeniable clarity, I should have never left. And yet I came back—back to the life I had once run from, back to the man I was meant to marry.

~~~~~~A week ago~~~~~~

“You will be getting married to Adriana Maserati Emily,” Father declared over dinner. “Your wedding set in less than two weeks. Prepare yourself.”

A quiet gasped sliced through already silent table. That was Brianna, even she was more surprised than I was. Not that I wasn’t.

I just couldn’t let it show.

“Yes father.” I responded coolly, not letting any emotion slip. Fathers gaze cuts to me, same as my sister, Elsa and my brother Ezra. Even my mother seemed surprised at my lack of resistance. I observed their confused glances from my peripheral as I continue with my meal.

Under normal circumstances, I would have put up a fight, riot. Hell, I’d have even thrown a tantrum. Anything but settle for marriage to that cold bastard.

Dad continued, as if to fill in the void of my non existent tantrum, “He asked for the youngest daughter and you’ll be moving to his home soon as his bride.”

“Yes father, I understand.” Deep down, I didn’t.

In a normal sense, Brianna would be considered the youngest daughter but because she wasn’t exactly biological, Adrian must not have appraised her to be worth much.

Sad, luck shines on her again.

My fury and hurt burns deeper as continue to ignore the curious stares from the table, expecting me to finally throw a tantrum.

Brianna had always been a lucky girl. From getting picked at age ten from the orphanage, to coming home to our family that took care of her every need. She never lacked anything materially, if she would ever asked for it.

She always seemed aloof, with not much to say or discuss. Moving around the house like a maid, no one ever disturbed her, though—she was free to do whatever she wanted.

We were never close because I’d thrown childish tantrums when we were younger, just to compete for my parents’ attention. I was the youngest, after all—I wanted to keep my spot. But soon, I realized my parents were cold and unaffectionate; I didn’t need their attention.

No one understood why I stayed silent. I had my own plans and soon, they’d understand why I didn’t make a fuss. I had to be strategic about my moves.

Now more than ever, I had to escape this frigid, lifeless house and find my own warmth—my own sunlit days ahead.

After dinner ended, my eyelids were heavy with unshed tears. I realized that I’d been sold to the devil for money basically. A man who would never love me. I’d be leaving my cold home for an even colder one. This was not the future I envisioned for myself.

Not even one of my siblings could defend or speak up for me. Not Elsa, not Ezra, not even m own mother. I was her child and I didn’t understand how she could bear to see her youngest daughter being dragged into another loveless marriage like she shared with father.

After getting to the comfort of my room, I sobbed in long, aching stretches, my heart pinching in my chest at the realization of my predicament.

I don’t cry for long though. The next minute, I’m drying my eyes, picking up my phone to call him.

Danny and I had been dating for well over two years now. We met in my junior year of college. We were paired for a project for class and just like that we hit it off.

I was the first to make a move, he was so handsome, with his blonde hair and blue-green eyes that looked like they were colored according to his mood, the stereotypical jock who tried his best with school work.

I helped him with his school work and he helped me with my heart. He was so sweet and nice to me, with his warm hugs and sweet smile. Something I wasn’t very used to back at home. That was all it took to reel me in and soon I was a goner for him.

After a few ring, he picks up. “What’s up baby,” he answers in that voice that made my stomach flutter.

“Danny…” I started, unable to hide the sob that cracked through my voice.

“Hey…. hey….baby,” he said softly, concern seeping through. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Why are you crying?”

“My dad… he’s trying to marry me off.”

Silence.

“Danny?” I whispered. “Are you still there?”

“Yes, baby… yes. I—I just… fuck… how soon?” He exhaled shakily. “Can’t you change his mind? What about us?”

I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see me. That wasn’t possible. My father wasn’t the type to be swayed by my reasons. If he’d decided I was to wed Adrian Maserati, then that was it. Not even my tantrums could change it.

“Danny… you said you love me, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“And you’d do anything for me?”

“Anything in the world, baby. Just name it, and it’s yours.”

I took a shaky breath.

“Then let’s elope, Danny.”