The Billionaire's Demand

Alexa sat on the couch in her family's living room, staring at her father in disbelief as he told her about the marriage he had set up for her with a man named Ethan. She barely knew who he was, let alone loved him enough to marry him.   "Dad, you can't be serious," she protested, shaking her head. "I can't just marry someone I barely know just because you want to save our family."   Her father, Mr. Thompson, sat across from her with a stern expression on his face. "Alexa, our family reputation is at stake. Everything I have worked for is about to go down the drain. You know that. This is the only way out."   Alexa sighed, knowing that her father was right. Things had taken a bad turn, and she had watched as their family business slowly crumbled. But the idea of marrying someone she didn't even know was still hard to swallow.   "I understand that, Dad," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "But I can't just marry someone I don't even love. What about my happiness?"   "Your happiness doesn't matter right now, Alexa," her father replied coldly. "We need to do what's best for the family. And marrying Ethan is the best way to ensure our future."   Alexa felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She had always known that her family was important to her father, but she never thought he would go this far.    "But what if I never love him, Dad?" she asked quietly, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "What if I'm just miserable for the rest of my life?"   Her father's expression softened slightly, but he still remained firm. "You will learn to love him, Alexa. Trust me. And even if you don't, our family business would be back to the way it was. That's all that matters."   Alexa slumped back on the couch, feeling defeated. She knew that her father was right, but the idea of marrying someone she barely knew still made her feel sick to her stomach. She wondered if there was any way out of this, any way to make her father understand how she felt.   But as she looked up at him, she saw the determination in his eyes and knew that there was no changing his mind. She would have to go through with the marriage, whether she wanted to or not   Alexa took a deep breath and looked her father in the eye, her voice firm. "I'm sorry, Dad, but I can't do this. I won't marry Ethan."   Mr. Thompson's expression hardened once again. "The arrangements have already been made, Alexa. You are getting married as soon as possible."   "Tomorrow," he added, the finality in his voice leaving no room for argument.   Alexa felt a knot form in her stomach. She had always known that her father was stubborn, but she had never realised just how far he was willing to go to get what he wanted.   "I won't do it," she repeated, her voice shaking. "I won't marry someone I don't love. I won't be forced into this."   Her father's eyes narrowed. "This is not up for discussion, Alexa. The arrangements have been made, and you will marry Ethan tomorrow. End of story."   Alexa felt tears of frustration and anger prick at the corners of her eyes. She knew that there was no arguing with her father when he was like this, but she couldn't just give up without a fight.   "Dad, please," she pleaded. "I know you're trying to save our family, but you can't just force me to do something like this. It's not fair to me."   "I'm not forcing you to do anything, Alexa," her father retorted, his voice rising. "This is what's best for our family. And you will do what's necessary to ensure our future."   Alexa stood up from the couch, her heart pounding with frustration and anger. She had never felt so helpless in her life.   "But what about my future, Dad?" she asked, her voice breaking with emotion. "What about my happiness? Don't I deserve to be happy?"   Her father looked at her, his eyes softening slightly. "Of course, you do, Alexa. But sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. And this is one of those times."   Alexa felt a surge of anger rise up in her. She couldn't believe that her father was so blind to what she was feeling.   "But what about me? What about My fiance?" she cried out. "What about what I want? Don't I get a say in my own life?"   Her father remained silent.   "He's the person I love and want to spend the rest of my life with," she said, trying to reason with him.   But her dad wasn't having it. "He's not of any benefit to our family. You need to cut all ties with him tonight," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.   Alexa felt her anger rising. How could her father be so dismissive of her feelings? She had been dating David for two years, and they had been planning their future together. Now, her dad was asking her to throw it all away.   "I won't do that. I love him, and I won't give him up just because you don't approve," she said, her voice shaking with emotion.   Her father remained unmoved. He stood up from his seat, his face stern once again. "Yes, you will. Not when it comes to the future of our family. You will marry Ethan tomorrow, whether you like it or not."   With tears streaming down her face, Alexa ran up the stairs to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She couldn't believe that her father was forcing her into this marriage, and she didn't know what to do.   Fueled by anger and frustration, she immediately reached for her phone and tried to call David who was away on a business trip he didn't pick up.   She felt a surge of panic and disappointment wash over her. She couldn't bear the thought of marrying someone she barely knew, but she didn't know where to turn or what to do.   She paced back and forth in her room, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. She felt betrayed by her father, trapped in her own life, and terrified of what the future held.   As the hours passed, she couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness and despair. She knew that tomorrow would be the beginning of a life she never wanted, but she didn't know how to stop it.   Minutes after Alexa had locked herself in her room, there was a soft knock at the door. Alexa didn't answer, but the door slowly opened, and her mother stepped into the room.   "Alexa," she said softly, "We need to talk."   Alexa wiped away her tears and turned to face her mother. "What is it, Mom?"   Her mother sat down on the bed beside her and took her hand. "I know this is difficult. But you have to do what your father says. It's for the good of our family."   Alexa pulled her hand away, feeling angry and frustrated. "I don't understand why you want to marry me off to someone I barely know. Can't you tell me why?"   Her mother hesitated for a moment before responding. "It's complicated, my dear. But you need to trust us. Your father wouldn't do this if it weren't necessary."   "But I don't want to get married!" Alexa exclaimed, her voice rising with emotion. "I don't want to be forced into something I don't want!"   Her mother's expression softened, and she put her arm around Alexa. "I know, sweetheart. But sometimes in life, we have to make sacrifices for the people we love. Your father and I love you very much, and we're only doing what we think is best for our family."   Alexa leaned into her mother's embrace, feeling torn and confused. She didn't want to disappoint her parents, but she couldn't imagine marrying someone she didn't love.   "Can't you tell me anything about him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.   But her mother immediately changed the subject, advising Alexa to get some rest and prepare for her wedding the next day. Alexa felt a wave of frustration wash over her. She wanted answers, but her mother wasn't willing to give them.   Feeling defeated, she lay down on her bed, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. She couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness and despair, but she knew that she had to go through with the wedding, whether she wanted to or not.   She had never felt so alone in her life. She knew that she couldn't change her father's mind, no matter how hard she tried. And she knew that tomorrow would be the beginning of a life she never wanted.