The angel he lost

Forced Marriage

Third POV 

"This is Arthur Murton. Your future husband" - Vincent said with a smile plastered on his face, trying to impress his guest.

"What?"- Ana Maria gasped shocked, feeling like a strong thunderbolt just struck her right in the head. "What do you mean?" 

"You heard me the first time" - suddenly Vincent's smile faded, after seeing the reaction of Ana Maria, who paled as she had just seen a ghost "Forgive her, sir. She is still young, but she will learn to behave like a lady after you make her your wife" - Vincent turned his attention towards the old man, sitting next to him, refilling his glass of alcohol 

"I am sure she will learn quick" - Arthur replied looking at Ana Maria's body with intense lust, feeling like he had just hit the jackpot. "She is still so innocent" - he added admiring the delicate beauty of her face and her long blond hair falling softly over her shoulders, which made her look like a fairytale nymph. 

"Trust me, sir, she isn't that innocent, she has a sharp tongue, sometimes" - Bianca laughed in high pitching voice " But I can assure you, that she can also cook and clean. I am sure she will give you children in no time, filling your house with joy..." 

"I am not getting married to you, sir. I don't know what my father has said, but this marriage it's never going to happen." - Ana Maria interrupted the conversation, raising her voice over Bianca "Not now, not ever" - her eyes watered, but she maintained a firm voice, standing straight and composed. Even though she looked fragile, her grace was overwhelming, making the entire energy in the room shift. 

Suddenly tension was so high in the air around them it felt like it could be cut with a knife. 

"Ana Maria" - Vincent shouted with rage

"I thought she knew" - Arthur barked angrily at Vincent, giving him a threatening look.

"Please don't mind her sir, she just needs a lesson to come to her senses" - Vincent gave him a nervous smile, trying to brush off what just happened 

"Well, she better come quick, or else our agreement is off. And I'll make you pay dearly for it" - Arthur said getting up, feeling like his good mood was ruined already. 

"It won't happen, sir. I am not for sale, and you should be ashamed of yourself. I am only 19 years old, and you are old enough to be my grandfather" - Ana Maria said looking at him straight in the eyes, leaving Arthur shocked and speechless, not only by her words but also by the aura around her. 

'Maria, shut up! Another word and I'll make you regret the day, you were born" - Vincent yelled at her, barely containing his anger. 

"Please forgive her attitude, sir. I assure you, it will never happen again" - Vincent followed Arthur, walking him as he stormed out of the small house. 

"It better be" - Arthur barked and smashed the door behind him. 

.................................

Third POV 

"Adele? Where have you been? Do you think is appropriate for a young lady to come home this late? It's almost dark at night" - Catherine's voice was at a normal tone, but the coldness and the disapproval on it, were more intimidating than if she would have yelled. This time though, Adele was not impressed, it only annoyed her. 

"I spend my whole day kissing Sophia's ass, as per your request mother" - she replied with a smirk on her face, but her face reflected pain. 

"That's not a way a lady should speak! This is how I taught you? Oh, God! Where did I fail with my children?" - Catherine took some long deep breath, acting shocked by her daughter's attitude. 

"Save it for later, mother! I am not in the mood for your scenes, right now" - Adele passed her by, and run towards the stairs of the big hallway, of her home. 

'Adele!" - Catherine called out to her, annoyed by the way she was ignored "Adele! You better stop this attitude right now, or else you'll be in serious troubles" - she followed her daughter, up to her room. 

"Get out, I am changing clothes! Don't I have any privacy in this home, anymore" 

"I am your mother! And I demand more respect!" - Catherine closed the door behind her trying to keep the voice low so the servents would not hear their discussions. 

"Respect must be earned, mother! Remember" - Adele sighed in annoyance, and sat down in front of the large mirror, brushing her hair with force. 

"You going to end up bold, if you continue like this" - Catherine took the brush from her hand, despite Adele's growling of disagreement, and forced her to stay still. 

"So? How is it going with Sophia? Are you girls close yet?" - Catherine forced a smile, trying to act as if nothing happened. 

"As close as you can be with the Frankenstein monster" - Adele glared at her, through the mirror

"Well, there is no need to be so direct dear. And besides, even Frankenstein needs friends" - Catherine replied while brushing her semi-curly hair, which needed a lot of care to not look like a bush over Adele's head. 

"She already has a friend, Saint Maria. She is the only one who can stand her Sophia." 

"But she is spending so much time with you, isn't she? Obviously, she prefers your company over Ana Maria" 

"That's actually very strange, considering how close they were. Saint Maria may be a little annoying with her preaches, but she is kind. While Sophia is so over herself, and now that she is rich, she is even worse. She thinks she is above everybody else and that no one in this town has the mental capacity to understand the level of her geniality." 

"Oh...is that so? Maybe it's a way to cope with her disfiguration" - Catherine chuckled 

"Maybe... today she was saying that she doesn't want to get married and that people in this town are too backward to only prioritize marriage and kids. As if someone would actually marry her" 

"You'll be surprised, with how many people would be able to turn blind on her looks, just so they can enjoy her money" 

"Her brother's money. She doesn't speak about it, but I think that they don't get along, at all. Sophia is still living in that small hut, with her parents"

"Really?" - Catherine gasped "Well, that's interesting" 

"You should see her mother, she is the most annoying woman on the face of the earth. Now that she finally has some money in her hands, she buys the most ridiculous things, pretending she is royalty almost. At least, Sophia has a sense of style. Not to mention that she is so rude" 

"But they aren't living in our farm, aren't they?" - Catherine said suddenly pressing force over the brush, hurting Adele 

"I told you already, no. Would you stop with that? You are hurting me" 

"Oh, I am sorry dear. I just lose my mind, when I think about our farm, that now is in the hands of those... people" - Catherine sighed deeply, feeling like she had a stone over her heart. 

"Just let it go, mother. What happened, it can't be undone" - Adele looked at her with a defeated look on her face 

"Maybe, it can... Liam Anderson will be in the town, within these two weeks" 

"How... how do you know that? Not even Sophia had a clue about his location" 

"I have my ways, dear" - Catherine gave her an enigmatic smile "He will also be at the church annual festival, to promote his charity, with the hospital. Mr. Anderson has made a very generous donation" 

"Oh.. where are you going with this?" - Adele frowned her brows 

"Well, we have already discussed this darling. Mr..Anderson is the most eligible bachelor in the town, and rumors have it that he is indeed very handsome. While you are in the perfect age for marriage.." 

"Mother!" - Adele swallowed hard, feeling tears stinging in her eyes 

"You must attend the festival preparation this year, darling. Ana Maria has already done most of the work, but you make sure to show up a little, so when the big day comes, you'll be seated next to Mr. Anderson." 

"Mother..." - Adele's breath become hard, feeling like there was not enough air in the room 

"I am sure that he will fall in love with you! You are the most beautiful girl in town"- Catherine smiled at her daughter, turning her around and cupping her face lovingly, ignoring her reaction completely "What a bittersweet moment your wedding will be" 

Adele felt anger and frustration building up inside her, like Vulcan lava ready to explode. The expression on her face darkened, and a sinister smirk appeared 

"What if he doesn't fall in love with me mother? Huh? What happened then? I am not the most beautiful girl, in this town. Ana Maria is! And she will be right there, with her shiny blonde hair, dove green eyes, and bouncing breasts acting up as the perfect little saint that she is. Every man in this town drawls after her, including that pervert of your husband. Liam Anderson will be no expectation. Unless he is gay of course, like your son." - Adele said mimicking her mother's voice

Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her face, as her mother for the first time in her life, slapped her hard. 

"Careful how you speak, Adele! Or you will regret it, I am warning you" - Catherine said, pointing her finger to her. 

"Finally, you showed your true colors. Well, nice to meet you, Mrs. Catherine! Not so perfect, aren't we? " 

"Adele..." 

'Welcome to the Clark sinner club, Mrs. Catherine. We have all kinds of people here.. gamblers, cheaters, perverts, liars, gays... you name it. That image of perfection is merely a facade that is falling off quickly" - Adele continued, but this time she couldn't control her tears anymore and fell down to the soft sofa next to her. Holding her face in between her palms, she was crying inconsolably. 

Catherine took a long breath trying to compose herself, looking at her daughter with pity. 

"Is for the better, Adele. You may not understand now, but you will thank me later. When you marry Liam Anderson, everything will be as it was, and our family will preserve our reputation and wealth" 

Adele raised her head looking at her in the disbelief 

"IF I marry Anderson. Which I don't want to do! I don't want to marry a man that comes from a despicable family.I love someone else, I can't marry, Liam" 

"So you rather marry a poor law student than the richest man in the country? You are out of your mind, darling! You don't know what are you talking about" - Catherine smiled at her with fake compassion  "Mr. Anderson is rich, he will provide everything you and your future children will need or desire. And it will keep our reputation and lifestyle intact" 

"But..." 

"There is no but, darling. Your father is already making arrangements, to make sure that such a thing will happen..." 

.......................................

Third pov 

'I won't marry him, father!" - Ana Maria said with determination, but suddenly a sharp powerful slap on her right cheek made her lose balance and fell on the floor. For a short second her vision got dark, she felt the metallic taste of the blood in her lip. Ana touched her face and noticed her nose was bleeding too, which has happened a lot to her lately. 

"Oh, no, no Vincent! You shouldn't slap her. What will her husband think when he sees her full of bruises, on their first wedding night?" - Bianca said in a fake worried tone, mocking Ana Maria. 

"I won't marry him" - she said in between tears, turning her head towards Vincent, who was standing tall in front of her.

"You'll do as I say" - he barked at his daughter "I already have a deal with that dog, and I won't get into trouble because of you" 

"What kind of a deal is that important that your own daughter? He is older than you, how can you ask me to marry him?" - Ana Maria's breath become hard, as she slowly got back on her feet, feeling like there was no energy left in her body. 

"You are not my daughter, you are my misfortune" - Vincent cursed her out, and grabbed his bottle of alcohol. 

"It's for the best, Ana. Why do you always have to be so hardheaded and make your life difficult? Mrs. Arthur has already paid all of Vincent's debts. He has a nice home, a retired found, and will take care of you." 

"So... you sold me?" - Ana looked at her father in disbelief 

"God! Why are you so dramatic? It's better to marry Mr. Arthur than work in that factory. You are the talk of all the town" - Bianca rolled her eyes 

"No one in this town can say anything bad about me, because I haven't done anything wrong" - Ana turned to her, with tears falling in her face "I am simply doing my job, I bring all the money in this home, while still going to school. I haven't hurt, lied, and did anything bad or disgraceful to anyone." - she said looking straight to her eyes than she turned once last time towards her father 

"I will not marry that old man!" - her voice trembled 

"Oh, you will! Because the only way you are not marring Arthur is if someone richer is willing to pay more for your hand, or if you are dead in a coffin"