The Billionaire’s Fated Bride

Chapter Two

Lily’s POV

I swallowed; a lump stuck in my throat.

“Did you really think you could escape, Lily?” Father repeated, as my legs began to tremble. My entire body froze. The smile on my face disappeared instantly.

I slowly turned around.

Father stood a few feet away; his glaring eyes fixed on me. Beside him were two security guards, their expression unreadable.

My chest tightened, making it difficult to breathe. How did he know?

“I’m..” My lips parted, but I was completely short of words.

“I knew you’d try something like this .” Father’s voice sent chills down my spine.

“I’d rather die than spend the rest of my life with a stranger!” I cried, clutching my small bag tightly. “Please, Father… don’t do this to me”

“You don’t have a choice” He said, his expression remained as cold as ever

“Take her back to her room”

The security men stepped forward to grab me, I took a few steps back.

“Don’t you dare touch me”

I turned and ran toward the garden gate. I thought that was the best chance to escape, little did I know that more guards were at every corner. One caught up to me and carried me on his shoulder and headed towards my room.

“Let me go…” I struggled to get away from his grasp, hitting both my hands and my leg against his body. But to no avail, he was resistant to pain.

I kicked.

I screamed.

I clawed at his arm. But it was useless.

The guard took me into my room. Father also instructed them to guard all the entrances and that my windows be locked.

“Tomorrow you’re getting married whether you like it or not”

Father walked away without looking back. I collapsed on the floor and continued crying.

That night, a cool breeze filled the room, as I tossed and turned on my bed, at this point sleep was nowhere to be found-only my eyes drifting towards the ceiling as my thoughts refused to rest.

Sleep refused to come. Every time I closed my eyes, Father’s words echoed in my mind.

“Tomorrow you’re getting married whether you like it or not.”

I pulled my blanket closer to my chin, covering my entire body.

I took a deep breath, I yawned as I rubbed my eyes and stretched my arms.

Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep exhausted by my anxiety.

Ding…. Dong…. Ding…

The sound of the church bell dragged me out of my sleep. My eyelids felt unbearably heavy, and every part of my body ached from crying through the night.

I sat up and glanced around the room. Surprisingly, the guards were gone, and my bedroom door didn’t seem to be locked.

A soft knock was made on my bedroom door.

“Ma’am, someone is asking to see you”, the maid informed me from the doorway.

I forced myself out of bed, got dressed, and found my way to the living room; there a young man stood waiting by the entrance.

“Good morning… “I said squinting my eyes.

“From Ethan Lockwood,” the young man said placing a large box in my hand. He then turned without saying another word.

“Oh please, wait…“, I called out, but he didn’t turn back.

“How rude” I muttered, handing the box to the maid standing next to me.

The door opened again, and I turned back, this time it was Tessa.

“Tessa…. “ I opened my arms as I embraced her with a warm hug. “Don’t tell me you haven’t prepared yet?”

I furrowed my brows, confusion filled my face

“Prepared for what?”. I asked as I began to feel uneasy.

“Your wedding… Lily,” Tessa said as she looked at me from up to down then she looked at the big

box the maid had in her hand.

“I can’t believe it’s already today,” Sweat filled my palm

“And what’s that?” …. She said pointing at the box

“Oh that, it’s from Ethan Lock…”

“Ethan Lockwood!” … without allowing the sentence to be complete, she dragged me by my hand

and the maid followed us, as we went into my room.

“Tessa…. wait.”

Without wasting any time, we entered my room, Tessa placed the big box on my bed, then began loosening the neatly tied pink ribbon.

Tessa lifted a small black sticky note resting on top of the gown.

“There is a note,” she said, handing it to me.

My fingers trembled as I took out the note.

“WEAR THE DRESS. DON’T KEEP ME WAITING, I DON’T LIKE BEING KEPT WAITING.

—— Ethan Lockwood.”

Immediately, anger burned through my chest.

“Who does he really think he is?” I crushed the note in my fist.

Tessa paid no attention to me, as her eyes were still fixed on the box. Her eyes widened.

“Oh my gosh Lily”, she said, placing her hand over her lips as it was wide open.

“These are so gorgeous, Lily,”

We both looked at the well-folded white gown, with sparkling delicate lace, and tiny bright crystals that shone like the morning light. Still inside the box were two little boxes, one bigger than the other. Tessa opened the smaller ones.

“Are these real diamonds, Lily?” At this point, her hands weren’t steady anymore, as though

something unbelievable had happened.

“Lily….” She called out, still somehow unable to speak. “Just want you to know, that I’m sure you would be happy.”

Never…, Tessa.

“I would never be happy, Tessa. And I’m not wearing any of this.”

Tessa sighed, “Please don’t make things worse. When I heard your father caught you last night, I was so scared. And if you refuse to wear this dress your father won’t show you any mercy.”

“Then I don’t care.”

“Lily…” She took a step closer to me, “I know you don’t want this marriage. But you don’t have a choice.”

I lowered my head

“You don’t understand me, Tessa.”

“You’re my best friend. And I understand.” Tears filled her eyes. If there was a way to stop this, I’d help you. But I don’t want to lose you too.”

She couldn’t hold herself back anymore and began to cry. I wrapped my arms around her, and I finally nodded.

“I’ll wear the dress”

Just then, a loud impatient knock, both Tessa and I looked at the door.

“Come in..”, I couldn’t finish my words as Father stormed into the room with Mother behind him. “Fa…”, I couldn’t talk but to keep my mouth shut as I saw his chest rise and fall in anger

Tessa left my room immediately after seeing my parents.

“What nonsense, Lily.”

His voice felt like thunder, Mother stood without saying a word or even moving.

“Do you realize you have an aisle to walk down? After all I have done for you…”.

“Oh, Father, you haven’t done anything for me, you’ve only put me in misery!”

“You,”… he said pointing at me enraged. “You’ve always been a disappointment, I won’t like to keep guests waiting…”

“This was never my choice to make you all made this choice for me” I said to him with tears in my eyes.

“You’d better do yourself a favor by getting ready and don’t do anything stupid by not wearing those clothes sent by Ethan”.

“Mom…” I called

“Listen to your father Lily, Father knows best.” She said with pain in her eyes as she walked behind Father, they both left the room without saying another word.

“Yes, listen to your father..” is what Mom would say.

I hated this for Mother, she never had a choice of her own, all Father did was impose his decisions on her. She never went contrary to whatever Father said. Even when she speaks harshly to me, she looks without saying a word or doing anything to stop him.

“I don’t want to end up like my mother, I want to be a wife not a slave in my own house, or to suffer in pain like her.” I thought to myself as I wiped my tears.

I looked at the box on my bed, walked towards and picked up the dress. I took a breath with a heavy heart.

“Welcome to my prison”, I whispered bitterly