IN LOVE WITH THE DEVIL

Chapter 2

I took to my heels and ran.

Behind me, I could hear my parents arguing again, this time louder.

As I hurried down the stairs, tears streamed down my cheeks. I was grateful no one was around. The butler must have sent the staff to their quarters.

I ran through the silent hallway, desperate to clear my head. I didn't stop until I reached the garden.

A low rumble echoed across the sky.

Moments later, a light drizzle began to fall.

By the time I reached the middle of the garden, my knees gave way beneath me.

I collapsed onto the wet grass, struggling to catch my breath.

The rain grew heavier, carrying the familiar scent of damp earth.

I screamed.

Hoping it would somehow ease the unbearable weight crushing my chest.

The rain poured harder, washing away my makeup along with the tears on my face.

Maybe...

If it fell hard enough...

I'd wake up from this nightmare.

Just an hour ago, I had been smiling.

Now, it felt like the worst day of my life.

Brian Tyler.

The name alone sent a chill through me.

Every time I heard it, my heart tightened.

I knew my father loved money.

But never... never enough to trade his own daughter for it.

We weren't poor.

We had never been poor.

So why...

Why Brian Tyler?

The one man I'd spent years avoiding.

My nightmare.

...

I stormed into my father's study, my clothes still soaked from the rain, and slammed the door behind me.

"Tell me it's a joke."

The words came through gritted teeth.

Dad remained seated behind his desk, his eyes fixed on the laptop before him, his fingers moving calmly across the keyboard.

"Sit down."

He didn't even look at me.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

I took another step forward.

"And if I refuse? What are you going to do? Lock me in my room? Drag me to the wedding by force?"

Still...

Nothing.

The silence between us was suffocating.

The cold air from the air conditioner chilled my soaked clothes, but it did nothing to cool the anger burning inside me.

"Since when did I stop being your daughter..."

My voice cracked.

"...and become one of your business assets?"

That finally got his attention.

His fingers froze above the keyboard before he slowly looked up.

"You ungrateful child." His voice hardened. "Don't you know I'm doing this for your own good? Everything I've built has been for this family."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"For the family?"

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

"Oh, come off it, Dad."

I shook my head.

"You're doing this for yourself, then hiding behind the family. You want to marry your own daughter off to a man she doesn't even love."

His face darkened.

The muscles in his jaw tightened.

"You brat."

He rose from his chair.

"Brian Tyler is more than capable of protecting you. Besides..."

His gaze locked onto mine.

"You're not a child anymore."

I let out a shaky breath, one hand resting against my waist as tears rolled silently down my cheeks.

Slowly...

I nodded.

"Protect me from what, huh? Dad, let's be honest. You're doing this because of the connections... and everything you'll gain from them."

"Why Brian Tyler?

"There are other suitable men out there. Why him?"

"I didn't choose him."

Dad's voice remained calm.

"He chose you. And think about it. This marriage would benefit our family greatly."

I staggered back, grabbing the chair for support.

Did he...

No.

No, it couldn't be.

"You agreed to it without even asking for my opinion."

My voice broke.

"I'd rather die than marry him."

"You have no idea who you're dealing with."

Dad slammed his palm against the desk.

"Brian Tyler doesn't take rejection lightly, so don't do anything stupid."

It was the first time he'd raised his voice at me in years.

I flinched.

"I don't care."

My voice trembled, not with fear...

But with betrayal.

"I won't marry him."

"I came home expecting congratulations...

Not to find out you'd already decided the rest of my life."

I took a step back.

Neither of us spoke.

For a moment, the silence between us felt heavier than any argument.

Dad remained seated, his expression unreadable.

"You'll understand one day.

Everything I'm doing...

I'm doing for your own good."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

"I don't think I ever will."

Without waiting for another word, I turned and stormed out.

"Fiona."

I heard him call after me.

I didn't stop.

I slammed the study door behind me.

My steps felt heavy as I made my way toward my bedroom.

"Seems the universe is playing a cruel joke on me."

I couldn't even find the tears to cry anymore.

I felt drained.

Emotionally...

And physically.

The moment I entered my room, I shut the door and leaned against it.

I buried my face in my arms.

Countless thoughts raced through my mind.

"I can't marry him..."

I whispered the words over and over, as though saying them enough times would somehow change reality.

"It's a dream."

I tried convincing myself.

Outside, the rain continued to pour.

The night had become unbearably quiet, as though the universe itself was mocking me.

Then—

Buzz.

My phone vibrated.

I frowned as I looked at the screen.

That familiar number.

“ Congratulations on both your award and your engagement to Brian Tyler.”

I froze.

Another message appeared.

“You'd better not do anything stupid.”

“Remember…”

“I'm watching you.”

I scoffed, trying to steady my breathing.

My fingers trembled as I typed.

“What do you want from me?”

Another message.

“Walk away from this marriage, and Brian Tyler will learn what really happened that night.”

My chest tightened.

I typed back immediately.

“Do you really think I care?”

“Haven't you done enough damage?”

Another notification.

A video.

My breath caught.

It was my mother...

Sleeping peacefully in her bedroom.

A bright red laser dot rested on her forehead.

Another message appeared.

“Of course you don't care.”

I gasped, covering my mouth.

My heart pounded violently against my chest.

“Don't you dare…”

I whispered before pressing send.

The reply came almost instantly.

“You have until tomorrow to make your decision.”

“Choose wisely.”

“Think about everyone who'll get hurt.”

“And think about what will happen when Brian Tyler sees the video from that night.’

Another image appeared on my screen.

I froze.