The sound of my phone vibrating pulled me out of sleep. I rolled over and reached for it, squinting at the screen. Five unread messages. All from unknown numbers.
I opened the first one and read quickly. It was from one of the staff members at Rick’s estate. A time, a location, directions and no explanation.
The next few messages repeated the same thing with more urgency. I sat up slowly, pressing my hand to my forehead. It wasn’t even 9 a.m. yet.
I got out of bed and walked toward the kitchen, phone still in my hand.
My brain was heavy, my thoughts weren’t connecting the way they should. I read the messages again.
Something didn’t feel right. I didn’t understand what they expected from me. There was no name attached, just instructions to come. I poured a glass of water and leaned on the counter, staring out the window.
I didn’t know if I should go. I didn’t even know if I wanted to. Part of me wanted to delete the messages and move on but something kept pulling at me.
I looked back at Lena, still asleep in the next room. I thought about going without her, leaving her with someone I trusted but I didn’t trust anyone here.
I walked back to the bedroom and started getting ready. I brushed my hair, picked out something sharp.
A fitted black top tucked into tailored pants, heeled boots, clean makeup, clean lines. I wanted to look in control, even if I didn’t feel it. I dressed Lena in something comfortable, brushed her curls gently as she blinked up at me, still waking up.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” I said.
She grinned. “Are we seeing the big house again?”
I nodded once. “Yeah, a big house alright.”
We got in the car and the drive was quiet at first. I kept checking the directions on the screen, even though I knew exactly where it led.
Rick’s mansion sat outside the city, far enough to feel cut off from everything. The closer I got, the more the memories rushed back. The last time I stood at those gates, the way the guards blocked me, the way I begged, the way I was turned away like nothing.
My grip on the steering wheel tightened. I remembered the message he sent that night.
I remembered the coldness of his words. I remembered what it felt like to pass out in the street, to wake
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hard and focused on the road
By the time we pulled through the front gates, my hands were sweating.
I didn’t care how they got my number. I didn’t care who sent the message. I was here now. I parked in the circular drive and stepped out. Lena jumped out behind me, holding her stuffed rabbit, excited for no reason I could understand.
Two staff members stepped out from the entrance and walked over. One of them nodded politely.
“Miss Hart. You’re expected.”
They both looked down at Lena.
‘She’ll be looked after, we’ve arranged something in the nursery.”
I hesitated. Lena looked up at me, still smiling. I crouched down and fixed the strap of her bag.
‘I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?”
‘Okay,” she said and hugged me quick before following them.
I stood there and watched them walk her inside. I didn’t move until they disappeared down the hall. Then another staff member waved me in a different direction.
“This way, please.”
I followed them without a word. The halls were as pristine as I remembered. Cold marble, glass and silence. I kept my eyes forward. The door we stopped at was tall and dark. The staff member opened it and gestured for me to go in.
Rick was already inside, standing by the far window, one hand holding his phone to his ear. His back was to the room. His other hand was in his pocket. His posture hadn’t changed, still straight and unreadable.
His father was seated at the long table, arms folded, jaw tight.
The contract was on the table and there was a pen beside it.
I walked in slowly. My eyes locked on Rick, he didn’t turn right away but when he did, his eyes found mine instantly.
His father stood up fast.
“I can’t believe this,” he snapped, startling me and causing me to flinch as my eyes flew in his direction, “this is ridiculous.”
I blinked, caught off guard.
“You’re seriously doing this?” he asked Rick. “Why on earth would you marry her?”
I hadn’t met Rick’s father before, I was used to the hatred I experienced at home but I couldn’t find a valid
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8:40 pm E
Chapter 6
reason why Rick’s father would dislike me when this was our first encounter.
Rick didn’t blink as he responded, “why shouldn’t I?”
“She’s not the one we agreed on. I gave you the perfect one.”
Rick walked toward the table, still calm.
“They’re from the same family. I’m doing exactly what you asked.”
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I had so many questions, what deal did this man have with my family that he wanted a union with my
sister.
His father’s face turned red. “Don’t play smart with me, Rick.”
“You wanted an arranged marriage, you didn’t specify the sister.”
He looked at me then, eyes hard and sure.
“I’m giving you what you wanted, now let me handle it.”
His father’s jaw clenched. He looked at me once, disgust clear on his face, then turned and stormed out. The door slammed behind him.
Rick walked past me, brushing my arm as he moved. His voice was flat.
“Sign the papers, you’re moving in today.”
My jaw almost dropped, everything was happening too fast, I thought I was marrying Rick to save him from my sister’s deception but it was starting to feel like I had walked into a trap of my own.
I turned to the table. The contract was waiting, my name already typed out in bold.
He said nothing else. Just walked to the far side of the room and stood there, watching.
I reached for the pen with my hand shaking slightly knowing if I signed it I’d be Rick’s wife.
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E
AD
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