A broken heart fights back

More of a Prison

The next morning came too fast too soon. She had barely slept the entire night. Rather give herself up to sleep, Vina had spent the most part of the night wondering what her life was going to be like in the next few years. It didn’t help that she also didn’t know much about her intended groom.

Her adopted parents had never bothered to involve her in their plans and since Azura had been the promised daughter, Vina hadn’t been interested in the details either.

She was very much interested now though. She’d tried to look him up online but she’d had trouble narrowing him down since she didn’t know his last name.

The sun rays reflecting through the curtains were enough to let Vina know it was bright and early outside. She stood to her feet with a new sense of determination and optimism, knowing she had to confront her parents about the arranged marriage. It didn’t take long for her to fix her bed and complete the little things she did in the bathroom every morning.

Soon enough, she had finished freshening up. Vinastared at her reflection in the mirror after she’d packed up her pupils’ homework she’d brought back home inside her teacher’s bag. It was times like these that she was grateful of her job as a preschool teacher. The 27-year old young lady certainly couldn’t imagine having to stay in the house all day, doing nothing but chores.

Especially when the mansion was beginning to feel more like prison than home…

Her hands shaking slightly, she managed to brush her hair, all the while reminding herself she had to do this for her grandfather’s sake. With a long sigh, she headed downstairs, her heart racing with anticipation. Vinapaused by the foot of the stairs to take a steadying breath before taking the bend towards the dining room and making herself visible.

Her adoptive mom was the first to notice her. She paused, the saucer in her hand midway to her mouth. Her eyes skimmed over Vina and as usual, her face visibly crumpled up in disappointment. Vina swallowed, wondering why her adoptive mom’s disapproval still got to her even after all these years. Her adoptive father took note of her as well, but even he too seemed irritated with her presence.

Clearing her throat and walking closer towards them, she placed her hands on the one of the tall chairs of the dining table. “Mum, dad, we need to talk.” She was grateful when her voice came out firmer than she had intended. Firmer, but polite still.

Her adopted parents paused in unison, shooting each other a look before giving her their full attention.

Her mother raised a thin micro-bladed eyebrow. She always hated it when her adopted daughter addressed them as if they were her biological parents. “Whatever do we need to talk about, Vina?” The annoyance in her voice was as clear as day.

The lightly tanned lass took a seat, her hands clasped together in a humble stance. She knew better than to not make an effort to soothe their nerves first. After all, theirconversation at that moment had to go as smoothly as possible.

Knowing her parents, that would be a miracle if that ever did happen…

“Azura… Azura told me that you both had decided for me to get married to her betrothed instead,” Vina timidly informed them, watching them closely for a reaction. She didn’t know what to expect, perhaps a bit of surprise or, even more far fetched, some remorse at not letting her know sooner. Whatever she had anticipated, it hadn’t been for both of them to frown at her.

Her father dropped his fork, his expression turning even colder, “Don’t tell me that’s what you want to discuss so early in the morning, Vina!”

His tone was so icy, she felt chills run down her spine. Were they actually serious right now? Did they mean she didn’t have any right whatsoever to bring this topicup? He arched a thick eyebrow at her, as if asking her if she had gone insane.

“I.. I..” Vina tried to speak but the words got stuck in her throat. She cleared it, pushing her strawberry blonde hair behind her ears as she attempted once more. “I was just surprised you both didn’t bring it up with me first. I thought since it was such a huge decision that you both would have called me so we could discuss~“

Her father leaned back, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “What’s there to discuss?”

Her mother cut in, the displeasure clear in her tone, “It isn’t something, that needs discussion. Besides, you don’t have a choice, Vina. Not after we’ve raised you and put a roof over your head. You owe it to us.”

Vina felt a sting from her dismissive tone and it caused her to lean back. Gosh, did they really hate her this much? To not inform her of a decision that would alter her whole life?

Her shocked thoughts: Wow! They really view their raising me as nothing more than another business transaction.

Vina felt tears prickle at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to show them her true feelings on the matter, “I’ll do it. I’ll marry him.” She conceded, because she knew she didn’t have any other choice. They’d already decided her fate and there was nothing she could do to change it. She could only hope that she was finally able to please them by agreeing to their decision. “But only for Grandpa’s sake, not for yours.”

Her mother's groaned aloud as she rolled her eyes,“Please Vina, no one actually cares why you would agree or for whom you do it. As long as you just do so, alright?”

The young school marm pressed her lips firmly togetherso the words she wanted to utter would remain unsaid. She also willed the tears that stung her eyes to not roll down her cheeks. Vina then turned her attention to herfather but he was already done with conversation from the looks of it.

Pushing her chair back, Vina felt like running up to her room to get her bag and head to work but her male parent’s voice stopped her dead in her tracks…

“Before you leave, head back upstairs and ask Azura to come down and have breakfast.”

Vina turned her head in his direction, not bothering to hide the astonishment on my face. He knew that shewas already late for work and he didn’t seem to care.The light brown-eyed young woman made an attempt to protest, but the elderly patriarch raised his palm to motion her to keep quiet and just do as she was told.

Swallowing down the hot lump in her throat, Vina stood up and slowly headed for the stairs. She was almost out of their sight when her mom called out commandingly from behind her...

“Be sure to knock before entering her room,” the older female stated almost mockingly. “After all, you wouldn’t want to be emotionally scarred for life, would you?”

Vina paused, furrowing my eyebrows at her threatening words and the surreptitious snicker that followed it.

Emotionally scarred? Why and how could I be possibly be scarred for life?

The strawberry blond female took a second to put two and two together…

God, no! Jay couldn’t possibly still have spent the night with her… Or could he?