The Billionaire's Inheritance

"What’s in it for you Uncle?" "Huh?" "How much were you paid?" Audrey asked with pain in her voice, almost in tears. “None of you can saying anything?” She turned around facing everyone else in the room. For a moment, there was silence in the room as their faces were looking to the ground. “Look, it's not about the money.” Her uncle finally spoke up in his thick and angered voice. “Besides I’m doing this for you.” “Really? Is this….” She paused looking for the right words to say but they didn’t seem to be forthcoming. “I wish my parents were still alive…” She said and hurriedly left for her room, banging the door with force behind her. “What! How dare you walk out on me?” Her uncle snapped at her, this time on his feet and facing her direction. Audrey sat on her bed with tears rolling down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe everything happening to her “I wish you were still here.” She said under her breath looking at a picture of her parents in her hands. She had lost both parents in a plane crash while they were returning from a business trip to the Philippines. Her dad, while alive was a rich man. The Olivers were known for their class and influence. But everything took an unfortunate turn when he died in that plane crash that day. The entire family was stripped of every single thing they had to their name. Enemies of her father in high places came together to take all that was left to her and her younger sister, the survivors. Carvell Oliver, her father’s only brother decided to take them in seeing that they could not survive on their own. “Everything’s going to be alright.” A soft voice came from a distance standing by the door. It was her sister’s. Audrey had been lost in thoughts that she didn’t know when her door was opened. “What are you doing here?” Audrey asked as she tried to wipe her face with the back of her palm. “How long have you been standing there?” She asked again not waiting for a response to her previous question. “Not too long” came the reply as she gently walked towards Audrey. “Come here….” Claire said softly reaching out for Audrey’s face and placing it on her shoulder. “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to marry him you know” “What do you mean”? Audrey raised her head giving her sister a puzzled look. “Let me tell you something…” Claire moves closer and whispers something to her sister’s ears. “Are you crazy?” “Keep your voice down, someone might hear us,” Claire whispered. “It's not that bad of an idea you know.” “No, It’s a terrible one! I can’t run away, besides I have nowhere to run to.” “So, do you have a better idea?” Audrey’s mind raced with conflicting emotions as she listened to her sister's words. She has always been the responsible one but now she’s faced with the prospect of an arranged marriage to a man she barely knows. With the weight of the predicament settling heavily on her shoulders, she felt a surge of rebellion rising within her. She didn’t know whether to feel resentment towards her uncle or to be happy about the situation. How could he force her into such a circumstance? Was this his idea of taking care of them? “I appreciate your concern” Audrey finally spoke up, her thoughts swirling in turmoil. “But we can't risk losing the only security we have left. Uncle Carvell has made it clear that this marriage is the only way to secure our future.” "But at what cost?" Claire's voice tinged with desperation. "Do you want to marry a man who sees you as nothing more than a business transaction? This man is almost old enough to be your grandfather, don’t forget.” Audrey's heart ached on remembering that, but she knew Claire didn't understand the gravity of her situation. "I don't have many options, Claire. I have to do whatever it takes to survive." Trying to find some semblance of control in her life, Audrey placed her face in between her hands, wiping away her tears and squaring her shoulders. "I'll do it. I'll go through with the marriage." "You can't be serious right? You can't just sacrifice your happiness for the sake of—" "I don't have a choice!" Audrey's voice cracked with emotion. "I have to think about both of us. My refusal may also affect you in a way." Both sisters fell into a deep silence, each lost in her thoughts. As Audrey looked out of the window, she felt a flicker of hopelessness wash over her. How had their lives spiraled into such despair? “Then you have to promise me one thing,” Claire said breaking the silence. “What is it?” “I want you to promise me that you’d remain strong.” Claire took out both hands clinging them to Audrey’s. “Promise me that you won’t let this become a burden in your heart and wear you down.” Audrey looked into her sister's eyes, seeing the unwavering determination and love reflected in them. She squeezed Claire's hands tightly, feeling a sense of gratitude for having her by her side through this trying moment of her life. "I promise, Claire. I won't let this burden consume me. I'll stay strong for both of us.” Audrey soon felt a sense of determination settling within her. She knew she had to face this marriage head-on, for the sake of their future and security. Her head turned to look at the wall clock in her room. It was already 1:05 am. They had been talking since about 9 pm. “Wow! We’ve been talking about this for over 4 hours, Claire.” “Oh really? I didn’t even notice. Time flies like it always does. It's time we get some sleep” Just as Claire walked to the door heading for her room, she saw a shadow swiftly run away. “Did you see that?” “Yeah, I did.” Someone had been eavesdropping their conversation… “Is someone there?”