LOCKED IN WITH A CRIPPLED BILLIONAIRE

BIANCA'S POV “Are you sure you're their daughter?” Laura smirked and crossed her arms above her chest while she glared at me. “Please, Laura, I need to speak with my father.” Laura stomped her feet, making me jump. “How many times do I have to tell you? He's not your father, you're just the useless daughter that never amounts to anything. Know your place!” “You don't have the right to stop me, he's expecting me.” “What they're expecting ought to dress better than a peasant.” My eyes dropped on my muddy shoes for a moment and I felt my legs shake because I had walked a long way to get here. I knew Laura never liked me because she felt I obstructed her birthright but this... “Laura!” A deep voice called from within the house before I could respond. Laura frowned and wagged her finger at me. “I'm warning you, this isn't your home...don't you dare get comfortable.” Laura said, fist curled at her sides and ran into the house. Without Laura stopping me, I hurried through the building toward the living room section and stopped in my tracks once I saw my father, Andrew Northwood, tapping his fingers on the center table with a frown. “You're late,” he growled. “Father, I'm sorry.” “Don't call me that, I have little use for brats that don’t keep to time. Get out of my sight.” “No... no, I can explain... It's grandfather! The doctor spoke to me about his condition and it's getting worse. Please, I need your help. You said you'd assist me if I do whatever you ask of me.” My heart ached within me and my shoulders dropped as I gazed at the floor. “Hmmm…” Andrew leaned into his seat and clasped his fingers. “Are you sure? You'd do what I want?” “Yes sir.” I forced myself to say. The door to the living room slammed shut behind me. “Such an awful stench in the house.... Who let a stray into my house?” Turning sharply to the source of the voice, I faced Alice, my mother, entering with Laura. At the sight of her prideful strides my stomach twisted within me... yet I gave a forced smile. “Mom! I didn't know you were around… I'd have come to say my greetings.” I quickly bent my knees in a slight bow. “I care less,” Alice said, walking past me with a giggling Laura while I froze in silence. “What is she doing here?” She demanded from Andrew. Andrew smirked. “Begging for my money.” “No… that's not what you told me.” Tears lined the edges of my eyes, but I blinked them back. “Are you trying to call me a liar? Why don't you go ahead and beg like the beggar you're, or you can leave.” My fists tightened at my sides. How could I forget that Andrew, my father, was the type of man that loved people to grovel at his feet. My knees dropped to the ground and my hands came together like a prayer. “Please, help with grandfather's treatment. I'm willing to work for it.” Laura and Alice laughed at me. I forced myself to remain on the floor, even as a single teardrop broke free. “Bianca!” I looked up, hoping to see remorse or concern in his eyes, but reality is harsh. Andrew was standing with a deeper frown on his face. “Get up from my floor before you stain it with those rags!” He said, making me rush to my feet. “I'm sorry.” I blurted, feeling my chest tighten. “Shut up, I'm talking!” he shouted. My face burned with embarrassment and within me, I could feel my anger stroked, but I kept my tongue. “I’ll settle your grandfather's bills if you wear Laura's wedding dress and marry Quinn Talon.” “What?” Quinn Talon, the richest billionaire that's a cripple with the worst attitude that makes every lady dislike him. That's also the man obsessed with Laura, who'd do anything to have her. “Did you not hear him?” Alice asked. I shook my head, looking from Alice to Andrew. “You can't do this to me! There's no way I'll do that. That's Laura's soon to be husband. It's Laura that he wants!” “Do you dare challenge Father?" Laura asked with a smirk. "Why would I want to waste away my life with a cripple?” I bit down on the inside of my lips to prevent myself from shouting. “You'd rather I be the one?” “Yes, that's your only use. Take the trash I don't want.” The words stung and I looked to my father for assistance. Instead, Andrew grabbed my face and raised my eyes to his level. “Don't you want your grandfather to recover ? You know… it's easy for a man in that condition to die off without a trace.” My body shivered at his statement and trembled at how hard he grabbed me, that the side of my face hurt. I gulped and forced myself to speak. “I want him to be safe and recover, but I don't want to marry Quinn Talon. I do not love him.” Alice, who stood behind Andrew, laughed. “What do you know about love? You can barely feed yourself… my maids can feed you for years… and yet you speak of loving a man.” Laura snicked. “Mother, she believes in pipe dreams.” In my father's eyes was a deep disappointment that twisted my resolve. “I thought you’d have changed by now.” “Dad, please I can do something else. Anything at all but don't make me marry that man?” “If you don't take Laura's place at the wedding, I'll make sure that catering for your grandfather is the least of your worries.” The tears in my eyes flowed freely and I searched my father's eyes for a change of mind as I shook my head. I could not bring myself to respond to his threat. “Maria!” My father growled. The head maid rushed into the room, almost falling at his feet with a deep bow. “Take her to her room and burn that dress she's wearing.” “No!” I shouted. “It's a gift from grandfather.” Andrew focused his eyes on Maria. “Burn. That. Dress!” “Yes master.” she replied and dragged me out of the room into a room in the west wing. Her hands reached for the dress and struggled it out of me. Maria opened the big wardrobe and threw another dress at me. “Please, don't burn it. It's a gift he labored hard for.” I said between sobs. “I have to follow the master's orders,” she said, and closed the door. I rushed to the door to chase her, but it was locked. I was locked in.... I knew they were being cruel because I was known for making rash moves. Leaning against the door, I dropped to the floor and my emotions poured out, crying myself to sleep. The next morning with the evidence of last night's tears barely visible under the smooth make-up. I stood in front of a mirror with Laura and Alice beside me. “Mom, you need to meet Lancelot Mandrake. He's so perfect, and I love him so much. Do you know that he's an athlete with four gold medals… you should see the way he walks... He's so strong.” Laura praised and giggled, her eyes taunting me with a mocking gaze to force a comment from me but I kept silent. Alice laughed and gripped my shoulders, leaning closer to me. I could see her wicked grin in the mirror. “Too bad, you'll never know what it's like to be with an actual man, a more or less complete one.” Alice whispered into my ears. I did not respond, keeping my eyes hooked on myself in the mirror. Those eyes were on the brink of tears but I refused to give them total satisfaction and held back with several blinks. A light knock on the door. “It's time.” One of the maids said through the closed door. “ Let's leave her to her misery,” Alice said and dragged Laura out of the room, leaving me to walk alone to the entrance where I met my Dad. “Remember the deal. Once you're married, your grandfather will receive the surgery he deserves.” “Yes, father.” “Give everyone a beautiful smile,” Andrew whispered, and led me toward the altar. There were claps and cheers as we walked down the aisle. Everyone stood up to welcome us. I could hear whispers of pity and envy from the ladies in the crowd. I looked at the altar and gasped. A very handsome man dressed in a blue tuxedo but sitting in an electric wheelchair glared at my father's hands like he wanted to rip it off. That was Quinn Talon? I swallowed. My father grinned at him and with a nod he left me to my fate at the altar. “Let's begin the rites!” The priest cheered. “What nonsense!” Quinn countered. “My bride kept me waiting, and now you want to waste my time? Do the declaration. I need to leave here now!” Standing there, I was speechless as I watched the priest nod his head and rushed through the finishing rites, declaring us married. “Let's go.” Quinn Talon grabbed my hand and pulled me along. I was dazed by the quickness of the most important moment in a lady's life as several guards surrounded us to prevent anyone from coming in between us. One of the guards opened the door leading outside, and I had to shield my eyes from the sun, hitting Quinn's wheelchair in the process, falling forward. An arm grabbed my waist and I fell into Quinn's lap. Our eyes locked, his dropping to my lips and back. His hand reached for my face and brushed my lips. I could feel my cheeks burn beneath his touch. He looked like he was going to smile, but he quickly withdrew his hand with a frown, making me very confused. “Can't you do anything right?!” He asked, making me cover my face, unable to bear the embarrassment. “Get inside the car.” I stood up without looking at anyone and rushed into the car.