THE RUNAWAY CONTRACT BRIDE

“I can't do it,” I wailed, throwing the document Aunt Priscilia had just handed me. The papers scattered across the living room floor, and for a moment, the entire house fell silent. I knew something bad was coming. I just didn't know it had gotten to this extent. "You'd better sign that document, young lady, or get ready to face the consequences," Aunt Priscilia snapped. She picked up the papers and slammed them against my chest. "All you've ever done is bring shame and disgrace to this family. Now that we're trying to erase that shame, you suddenly want to refuse? No way, Amanda." "Why me?" I cried, clutching the document as tears blurred my vision. "Why is it always me? Whatever happened wasn't my fault. I wasn't even in the right state of mind to understand what I was doing." "Did you ever stop to think about what that unintentional mistake of yours did to this family?" she sneered. Of course, she would bring it up again. Aunt Priscy never missed an opportunity to remind me of that night, the night I desperately wanted to forget. While I fought every day to move past it, she made sure to drag me back into it, and now, she wanted to use it as an excuse to force me into signing a marriage agreement. A family alliance between my father and Seth Rowlands, the man Dad owed a huge amount of money. Or maybe it was more than just money. The thought of Seth Rowlands alone made my stomach twist. The powerful billionaire CEO of S-Row Manufacturing. One of the most influential men in New York City. A man people feared as much as they admired. Seth Rowlands always got what he wanted. Businesses. Properties. People. I still remember that day. It had been a bright, sunny evening when he offered me a ride home. I had trusted him. He was older, respected, and a family acquaintance. I felt safe. At least, that's what I thought. But not long after. Halfway through the drive, his hand brushed against my thigh. I stiffened. Then came the compliments that made my skin crawl, followed by his hand gripping my wrist before he leaned in and forced his lips onto mine. I had pushed him away, and resisted. I told him no but he wouldn't stop kissing me. Even now, remembering it left a bitter taste in my mouth. And now, after all this time, he finally wanted his way legally by marrying me off to his son. His lame son, a man who never stood the sight of anybody. After he had an accident, which cost him his legs, he became aggressive and cruel to anyone around him. I heard he once threw a vase on one of his personal maids. How can I stand such a man? This is not what I would bargain for, for the rest of my life? no way. "It's not like you'll hate the luxurious life waiting for you," Rose said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I turned to look at her. She stood there with perfectly wavy long hair and a dirty smirk that bordered on her face, as if this entire situation wasn't destroying me. "I don't want it!" I shot back. "Maybe you should take my place. You love luxury, don't you?" I folded my arms and let out a bitter laugh. "Isn't that what you want? you also brought to this, Rosemary!” Her face tightened. Before she could respond, Aunt Priscilia stepped forward. "Watch your mouth." The slap landed hard against my cheek. My head jerked sideways, and a sharp ringing filled my ears. "How dare you speak to my daughter like that?" she thundered. "You brought whatever happened upon yourself." I pressed a trembling hand against my burning cheek, too stunned to react. Then, before the tears threatening my eyes could fall in front of them, I turned and hurried out of the living room. I was halfway up the stairs when I saw Dad coming down. Hope rose inside me so quickly it hurt. "Dad, please." I rushed to him and dropped to my knees, clutching at the leg of his trousers. "I don't want this. Please don't make me marry Seth Rowlands' son. I don't mean any disrespect toward him, but I can't do this. Please." For a second, I waited for him to look at me. To soften or change his decision and find another way. Instead, he gently removed my hand from his trousers and stepped aside. "If you don't marry him," he said without meeting my eyes, "Seth Rowlands will make this family suffer dearly." He paused before adding, "You wouldn't want that, would you?" Then he continued down the stairs. He never looked back. I remained there on my knees, staring after him while my chest tightened painfully. This had been my life ever since Mom and Amelia left me behind, after that terrible fight with Dad, a fight no one ever explained to me. Ever since then, I had become the easiest person to blame. The scapegoat. The burden everyone tolerated but never truly wanted. Except for that night, none of it had been my fault. And even that night wasn't intentional. I had been heartbroken. Betrayed. So exhausted from carrying everyone's expectations that I only wanted to escape for a while, to breathe without feeling like I was drowning. I wanted to forget the pain, even if only for a few hours. But one reckless decision had changed everything. Maybe not immediately. Maybe not tomorrow. But someday, I would look back at this moment and realize that the life I once knew had ended long before I signed that document.