Paths; why our paths crossed

I'm coming to marry their daughter

Nessa's eyes widened in shock. "What happened to her?" she asked, her voice trembling.

It couldn't be. She had just spoken to her aunt two days ago, and they were making plans for a visit. What could have happened so suddenly?

Nadia sighed, about to explain, when a loud scream pierced the air outside their room.

"I'm coming back, baby," Nadia said, shocked, before rushing out of the room. "Let me go check," she added, dropping the tray of food.

She hastened towards the door and, upon opening it, managed to stop a passing nurse. "What's happening? Why all the commotion?" Nadia asked, curiosity etched on her face.

The nurse struggled to catch her breath before blurting out, "The doctor... the doctor is dead."

Nessa's eyes widened as she heard the news from the doorway. "Uncle Leo!" she mumbled, her voice trembling with fear.

It seemed like the hospital was descending into chaos, and Nessa's heart sank at the thought of her uncle, the doctor, being the victim.

((Flashback))

Consumed by guilt and grief, Leo couldn't shake off the feeling that Diana's death was his fault. Memories of their time together flooded his mind, and he missed her dearly. The pain of not being able to fulfill his promise to protect her became unbearable. In a tragic turn, Leo took his own life, injecting a poisonous syringe into his arm. "I hope you're happy, Diana, welcoming me home," he whispered before passing away.

Mrs. Bethel, Diana's mother, woke up beside her daughter's lifeless body, tears streaming down her face. She had refused to let the nurses take Diana's body away the previous night.

Overwhelmed with grief, she stormed out of the room, determined to confront Leo. Finding his office door locked, she demanded he open it, threatening to break it down. When there was no response, she ordered a security guard to break down the door. The sight that greeted her was devastating - Leo lay lifeless on the floor. The news of his death spread quickly, reaching Nessa and her mom.

*

*

Two days later, leo and Diana were laid to rest. Nessa, still recovering from her injuries, remained at her parents' mansion, unable to attend classes. Mrs. Bethel struggled to come to terms with the loss of her beloved daughter, her grief still fresh and raw.

*

*

Gina entered her mother's room, concern etched on her face. "Mom, your illness is worsening daily. Don't you think Bryan should know about this?" she asked fearfully.

Her mother's response was laced with despair. "Even if he knows, he still won't be able to do anything."

Gina's mind flashed back to the phone call they received two days ago from the eldest son of the Dav-wools family. He had begged them to visit, and Gina had accompanied her mother, wary of the family's intentions.

Dickson had revealed a dark family secret: a centuries-old covenant, a blood oath that had led to the tragic deaths of his sister and brother-in-law. The curse would only be lifted when Bryan married the Dav-wools' daughter, a condition that seemed impossible to fulfill.

Gina thought the Dav-wools' son was joking about the curse, until her mother fell ill and the doctor found nothing wrong with her. Gina was desperate to save her mom.

Just then, Bryan burst in, sweat-drenched from his hour-long jog. "What's going on? what's wrong with Mom?" he asked, holding a water bottle. obviously his mother was looking so pale.

Gina's response was laced with frustration. "Mom is sick, as you can see."

Bryan stared incredulously, then huffed. "Why didn't you tell me? Or take her to the hospital?"

Gina snapped, "I did, but the doctor said nothing's wrong with her."

She walked up to Bryan, her voice barely above a whisper. "Bryan, Mom is suffering from a curse... and only you can save her."

Bryan's eyes widened in confusion. "Curse? What do you mean, Gina?"

Gina's words hung but later summoned up the courage to explain everything to him.

Bryan listened to her and his mom's explanation, his expression skeptical. He chuckled awkwardly, "This sounds like a joke to me."

His mind raced with questions. How could his father resort to such a childish scheme to get him engaged? How could he, Bryan Winthrop, a billionaire, mafia boss, and ladies' man, be forced to marry a schoolgirl? Wasn't that child abuse?

And what about Ariel? His heart ached at the thought of losing her. What would he tell her? How could he explain this absurd situation?

Bryan's thoughts swirled in confusion. He couldn't comprehend the absurdity of the situation. His father's plan seemed ridiculous, and he couldn't believe he was being pulled into such a bizarre scenario. yuck!

"Do such things like oaths really exist?" Bryan wondered, incredulous.

Gina's pleading voice broke into his thoughts. "Bryan, you have to get married to her for Mom's sake. Please, I'm still too young to go through life without a mom."

Tears streamed down Gina's face as she begged him. Bryan's expression darkened, and he scowled, feeling trapped. He needed a moment to process this absurd situation.

Without a word, he dashed out of the room, heading to the bar stand to pour himself a stiff drink. The weight of his family's secrets and the curse threatened to suffocate him.

As he poured himself a genuine strong wine, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his life was spiraling out of control. The oath, the curse, and now a forced marriage. He was trapped between his family's dark past and his own desires. His heart all seemed to be at war.

He sat at the balcony, pulling out his phone and dialed Tiger's number, his trusted associate. Tiger answered promptly, knowing better than to keep his boss waiting.

"Yes, boss," Tiger said in his deep, gravelly voice.

Bryan took a sharp breath, his mind racing with the implications of his decision as he reluctantly said. "Send a letter to the Dav-wools family. Tell them I'm coming to marry their daughter."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Tiger responded, "Consider it done, boss."

Bryan's grip on the phone tightened as he ended the call. He felt like he was sealing his fate, but he had to protect his mother and sister, no matter the cost.

With a sense of foreboding, Bryan downed his whiskey, feeling the burn all the way down. He knew his life was about to change forever.