We Met Again

Isabella's POV “I don't want to marry him, father, I can't marry him!” I cried hoping my tears would change my father's mind. Hoping he would look at things differently but instead, he looked pissed, really pissed like he was going to explode in anger just like the time he had his fist through the wall when he heard the news. “Listen to me. You will marry him and that is final! This marriage is supposed to seal a treaty and you will not bring shame to me and my people. Do I make myself clear?” he said sternly. He turned around and left without waiting for an answer. I sat there frozen in place, on the floor, trying to absorb everything. What was happening to me? My father was always loving and caring towards us. Well, not really but he was better than this and now, all of a sudden, he seemed mad at me? Tears rolled down my cheeks, as I felt more hopeless than ever before, more alone, and I started sobbing into my hands until I couldn't breathe anymore and I just lay there, gasping for air and sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn't do this, I just couldn't. Why did it happen so fast? Why did I have to deal with her mess? I managed to pick myself up and thought of sneaking out to the spot that usually gave me calmness. “Where do you think you are going?” His voice startled me and I turned to see Father watching me from the balcony. “I…I uhm...” “Get back inside, now!” He yelled and his voice echoed around the house. I ran into the house and shut the door as quickly as I could. I ran through the door that led to the kitchen and then I kept hearing some footsteps coming in pursuit, and I knew it was him. I should have stopped but I didn't. I ran past a couple of shocked servants who didn't expect their princess to exhibit such unruly behaviour. “Isabella! Stop this madness” Father's voice was loud as a bolt of lightning and I froze in the middle of the hallway. He yanked me by the hair and slammed me against the wall where I crumpled to the ground. Father was panting heavily and his eyes were filled with rage. He bent over and grabbed my arm, pulling hard and dragging me through the stairs into my room. I was screaming in fear all the way while tears streamed down my face. He forced me to sit on one of the big white chairs and paced around the room, his hands behind his back. “Are you crazy?” His eyes were raging more than before. I was in trouble. “No Father, I was just stepping out for fresh air. I wasn't going to do anything stupid” I explained between tears. “I swear, I'm sorry.” He glared at me and I shrunk further down into the chair. “Please, don't punish me anymore.” He paused for several seconds. When he spoke again, I almost jumped with how calm he sounded. “You should start thinking about what your actions might lead to, Isabella. The marriage is in three days, stop being silly” His declaration caused me to break down into more sobs. Three days. Three days of marrying someone I didn't know and whose family didn't even like mine. This was not okay. And no matter how much Father wanted me to, this was definitely NOT okay. He moved towards the door and then stopped “You wouldn't be allowed out of this room until that day” “No, no father, please. You can't do that to me, please,” I started panicking. I tried to move towards the door but he blocked me with his body “Do you understand what I am saying?” I nodded furiously while tears ran down my face. “Good, go to bed. Get some rest tonight and think of your marriage, I won't tolerate any more stupidity from you, got it?” I nodded, sniffled and wiped away the tears with my shirt sleeve. He nodded too and exited the room, leaving me to weep on my own. Isn't there supposed to be a way out of this? Was this what the Moon Goddess had in store for me? No way, I wasn't willing to accept that my whole future would depend on a stranger. That just wasn't me. It wouldn't work for me. Even if he was a prince. I had dreams of meeting my mate, a mate that would save me from the wrath of my father, from the abuse people barely knew about. I didn't want to live my life hurting and putting on fake smiles to hide the pain that was eating me up. I didn't want to let anyone see this side of myself because it would only make them hurt me further. Later that night, one of the maids came with my food. She was escorted by a guard. I didn't need a reason to know that it was because Father wanted to be sure I was still around. “You should eat, Princess” Ava the maid had not left yet. “Please, help me” I whispered to her so the guard wouldn't hear. “I can't, I am sorry” She whispered back. She walked past me to leave the room but I grabbed her hand and held it tightly. Her hands were trembling. “Can you promise me something? Please” I begged. She pulled her hand away and looked away in silence before walking away, disregarding my pleas. I couldn't blame her. No one wanted to cross Father's path, no one wanted to lose their job. I stared at the tray of food that laid on the table in front of me. I couldn't stomach it. My stomach was in knots and I needed a way out. I moved to my window and stared at the distance below it. An idea came to my mind as I stared back at the tray where the cutlery lay. I took the knife, slit my wrist. The last thing I remembered was excruciating pain followed by darkness.