The unwelcome promise
222 Words
chapter 5
Anika's fifteenth birthday was supposed to be a joyous occasion, filled with laughter and celebration. But as she blew out the candles on her cake, a sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach. Her father's distant friend, Kim, had arrived unexpectedly, his eyes gleaming with a knowing glint that made Anika's skin crawl.
As the evening wore on, Kim's words cut through the festive atmosphere like a knife. "Anika, my dear, I promise to marry you to my first son, Annickel," he declared, his voice dripping with self-assurance. "It's a fine match, one that will strengthen the bonds between our families."
Anika felt like she'd been punched in the gut, unable to breathe. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with her father to reject the proposal. But he remained silent, his expression a mix of guilt and resignation. Her mother's eyes, once bright with warmth, now seemed dull and defeated.
Consumed by desperation, Anika turned to her friends for support. Together, they hatched a plan to escape the kingdom, to flee from the arranged marriage that threatened to suffocate her. Under the light of a full moon, Anika packed a small bag, her heart racing with fear and excitement. She slipped out of her bedroom window, ready to embark on a perilous journey to freedom.
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