BENEATH THE BURNING SKY

Dark Family

Elise stood at the entrance of her parent’s house staring blankly at the door and wondering what under the blue sky she was doing there. She had just gotten married, and not one of her so-called family members was present. In the last three months she passed through a series of painful therapy for her deviated face, and suffered, yet none of them called or even cared how she fared, especially after selling her off to a stranger, a fortunately sweet stranger.

He had approved of the visit, and dropped her off while insisting he had to quickly fetch better presents for the family, as the bouquet of flowers she was holding was not enough. She pushed it closer to her nose, inhaling the scent to ensure they were fresh enough. They were. She didn't just want anything to spoil her planned surprise.

After inhaling deeply, she knocked. Twice. And not long after, the door knob twisted and the door creaked open.

“Yes?” Her father peeped out, his eyes narrowing as he tried to recognize her familiar form. She was clothed in an all-back lace dress, with a matching hat, and her red lipstick stood out, along with her silky skin and glistening jewelry.

“Good afternoon, dad,” her neck muscles tightened as she offered him the bouquet of flowers. He froze for a moment, recognizing his daughter's voice. His heart broke into a sprint as he recovered from his shock. Then he whipped around, shutting the door on Elise.

Elise, on the other hand, fought back her tears, wondering what could be happening at the other end of the door. Why would her father still not accept her? Why does he hate her this much? While she was still on this thought, the door went ajar. This time, introducing her mother whose widened pupils and dropped jaws said it all.

“Greetings, mother. I brought a gift…”

“Oh, my daughter Elise!” She cut her off, pulling her into a tight embrace. Elise melted inside. She had never been treated this nice by her mom. Ever. She couldn't hold back the tears that dripped down her cheeks when her mum broke the hug, studying her for a bit.

“Wipe your tears girl. You look beautiful as hell,” She said.

“She got my genes, Jenny. I told you!” Mr Alfred, her father, echoed from the sitting room.

“No way, Alfy.” Her mother giggled. “Come on in, my love. I will make you some soup.”

Elise followed her mother's lead, each step more cautious than the previous, as she was guided into the very house she was tortured for years. She wiped her tears, steeling herself as memories flashed by her mind.

“Please, sit, my daughter.” Alfred said, with a wry smile. And Elise obliged, unable to shake off the gutt feeling that something was wrong.

“Give me that,” Jenny took the flowers and headed to a vase nearby. Elise had opted for flowers as a gift since she knew her mother loved gardening. In the old fashioned sitting room, there were more than three flower vases on top of the fireplace directly opposite her.

Nothing had changed. The setting remained the same. The brown sofa, crimson rugs, and glass center table. Her gaze moved to her father who spread himself on one of the sofas porting that mischievous grin she had learned to be wary of.

She cleared her throat. “Forgive me, father, for coming alone. My husband will be here soon. He went to get more befitting gifts for you.”

“Your husband…” He let out a low growl, his smile fading away.

“Y-yes…” She stuttered.

“That man, he is no husband of yours.” He retorted, rudely.

“But father, you literally sold me out…”

“I didn't. I just needed some quick cash. You know how the family business is crumbling and all.”

Elise folded her brows in defiance. “We are married. Officially. The ceremony was at the Central Cathedral. I sent an invite, yet no one came. Not you, mother, or even my younger brother.”

Alfred scoffed. Somewhat surprised by the now outspoken Elise. “What happened to your face?” He shook his head.

“He fixed it.” Elise shot back.

“Good. But he married you without my consent which renders your marriage null and void.”

“Father!”

“Don’t argue with your father, Elise!” Mrs Jenny echoed from across the room, her arms akimbo. Elise is forced to swallow her words, memories of what terror the mean woman could unleash on her, fresh in her mind.

She sighed, then ambled closer to her daughter. “What your father is saying in essence is that with your newfound beauty, you are worth way more than whatever that man stole you for. We can arrange a marriage with one of the richest families in York.”

“Mother, please…” Elise turns red.

“You must divorce him.” Jenny interrupted with a stern voice, but before she could speak further, the entrance door creaked.

“Hello? Anyone home?” A war-torn baritone voice resounded in the room, attracting their attention to the huge figure stepping in. He was clad in a dark suit and long coat, looking solid in every way. His presence filled the space as his eyes searched until they hit the scene at the sitting room.

“Oh, forgive me.” He smiled. “I had been knocking and the door was open.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to barge into my house!” Mr Alfred thundered, springing up to his feet.

“Apologies, sir.” Noah’s voice remained cold enough to soothe a red hot metal. Alfred, seeing that he can do nothing more to a very polite man, heaved.

“Who are you?” The grudge in his voice remained apparent.

“He is my husband,” Elise stood up and aimed for Noah, but Jenny grabbed her arm, holding her back. She whipped around, a puzzle appearing on her face. “Mother, what is this?” She asked, but got no response.

A tension descended, and Noah studied the faces of the people present. It was clear that he wasn’t welcomed.

“I hope I’m not interrupting something here, for it is my pleasure to meet my wife’s parents.” He said with an unsure smile.

“She is not your wife. You stole her!” Jenny shot back, tightening her grip on her sobbing daughter while rising to her feet.

“Ma’am, I assure you. I did no such thing.”

“For such beauty, you took advantage of us!” Jenny continued with her accusations.

“Mom, please, don’t do this…” Elise cried.

“You will keep silent, girl. And let the adults talk.” Mr Alfred interrupted, and silence took over for some minutes. He passed a cold stare at Noah.

“Five hundred thousand dollars.” He proposed.

“What?” Noah’s brows furrowed in confusion.

“We want a divorce, and we will pay you that amount as compensation.” He explained further, but Noah scoffed, pinching his nose between his index finger and thumb.

“Sir, with all due respect, I would never abandon my wife Elise for any amount.” He said with finality, then turned to his wife. Their eyes collided and his chest tightened. “Except she is tired of me and wants the divorce herself.”

“I don't want it!” Elise growled, her tears flowing with reckless abandon, the sight causing Noah to melt like wax.

“I'm your father, Elise. I know what is best for this family, and for you. And I demand this divorce!”

“I refuse it!” She shot back unequivocally.

“You defy me?”

“Please, father…” Her voice adopted a more somber tone.

Alfred took a glance at his daughter. Despite how badly he had treated her over the years, he had never seen her that way. Was she in love? That was the only explanation for her new found strength. He exchanged glances with his wife, then heaved.

Jenny's eyes bore the signal he needed. He would test this marriage and milk it to the breaking point, since this man thought his offer of five hundred thousand dollars was meager. He knew how much he would gain in the long run if he used his daughter's hand as leverage in the business deal he was pursuing with Vine Pharmaceuticals. A deal that would change his financial status for life. That was even what led him to propose the settlement at first, since he did not have the money hand. It was clear that his daughter's newfound beauty would bring the young bachelor heir of Vine Pharma to his knees.

“So, you want to remain married to my daughter, huh? Fine. But not at the detriment of my family.” He said to his estranged in-law.

“I don't quite follow, sir.” Noah humbly spoke.

“Okay. I will gladly explain.” Mr Alfred readjusted his stance, placing his hands in his pockets. “There is a contract I am pursuing with Vine Pharmaceuticals, the largest company in the country. This business deal would bring dividends of fifty million dollars to this family and I cannot let it slide.” He paused, peeping at Elise who wailed even more, knowing where her father’s proposal was heading to. He continued nonchalantly.

“They would gladly take my beautiful daughter as a wife as a sweetener for the deal. But since you're very eager, maybe if you get the deal done in seven days, I will consider.”

“Daddy, I beg you…” Elise cried. But Alfred remained wickedly unmoved.

“Fifty million dollars is a fair starting bid for such a stunning…” He pointed at Elise “…Stunning woman I have raised with my sweat and toil, no?”

“Indeed.” Noah raised a brow. “Well, seven days is quite a stretch in my opinion. And as I am eager to have my wife happy, I will accomplish it by tomorrow, if you don't mind.” Noah said, with a calm confidence that forced Alfred’s eyes to narrow.

“Wait… What?” Jenny's jaws dropped.