Chapter 2
1394 Words
“It’s over,” my dad said, his voice tight as his eyes darted between my mom and me. Deep lines of anxiety were etched across his face, making him look older than he ever had before.
“What happened, Marvin?” my mom asked, her fingers gripping the edge of the table as if it were the only thing keeping her steady.
“All the projects we were supposed to take on… canceled,” he said slowly. “And someone spread a rumor in the group that our company went bankrupt. I just confirmed it—our son…” His voice cracked.
“He fell for a scam. Used the company’s emergency funds. It’s finished. I…” He exhaled shakily. “I raised a reckless son.”
His hands trembled as they hovered in the air, clenching and unclenching like he might strike something—anything—just to release the frustration burning inside him.
“He was wrong, but I’m not abandoning him,” my mom said, stepping forward. Her voice was firm, protective. “He’s learned his lesson, and he won’t make the same mistake again, right, Mathew?”
She nudged him sharply, forcing him to lift his head and meet my dad’s gaze.
“Really?”
My grandpa’s voice sliced through the tension like steel.
“I built an empire,” he said coldly, “and you think I’d let you all trample on it?”
“Dad, no… I can fix this,” my dad said quickly, desperation creeping into his tone.
“You can fix a company issue when you haven’t finished fixing your son?” my grandpa asked. His sharp eyes bored into him, unyielding. “Really?”
“Please, Dad,” my dad pleaded, his voice breaking. “Give me twenty-four hours. That’s all I need. I’ll make it right.”
A heavy silence followed.
Every heartbeat felt louder than the last. The room thickened with fear, regret, and the weight of expectations no one dared to voice.
“Why?”
I turned to Mathew, my voice shaking despite my effort to sound strong.
“It was supposed to be profitable,” he said, his words trembling as much as his hands.
“They promised the company would make years’ worth of profit…”
“You used me as collateral,” I said, my chest tightening, “just like the company.”
Tears blurred my vision as my hands shook at my sides.
“Is nothing more important to you than your greed, Mathew?”
He said nothing.
“I’m so disappointed,” I whispered, the first tears finally slipping free.
I turned and stormed up the stairs, fury burning in every step.
“Get the medical team. Take good care of her,” my grandpa ordered sharply.
“Yes, sir,” the staff replied in unison before quickly leaving the room.
“Father, you should rest,” my dad said carefully, helping my grandpa toward his seat.
“I’ll handle everything.”
“You couldn’t even stop my granddaughter from being chased by debtors,” my grandpa replied, his gaze cold as he stared at the screen replaying the incident. “How do you expect to handle the company… or your son?”
“Twenty-four hours,” my dad said again, his jaw set, determination burning in his eyes.
“Just twenty-four hours, and I’ll clean up this mess. I’ll handle everything.”
“I’ll give you nothing more than that,” my grandpa said, lifting his gaze to meet my dad’s.
“Don’t make me handle it myself,” he added, a cold laugh slipping from his lips. “You know how things could go.”
“Yes, sir,” my dad replied tightly before striding out of the room.
Moments later, I heard shouting.
When my dad returned, he grabbed my brother by the collar, shaking him hard.
“Mathew! Who put you up to this?”
His voice thundered through the house—I could hear it clearly from my room upstairs.
Then—crash!
Glass exploded across the floor, shards scattering like tiny stars.
“Stop! Stop!” my mom shouted.
I rushed downstairs as screams and chaos filled the house.
My heart slammed violently against my chest at the scene before me.
My dad was furious—and I knew all too well what that looked like.
“Dad, I’ll fix everything!” my brother gasped, breathless and panicked. “It was Gerald! He put me up to it!”
“Why would Gerald involve you in something like this?” I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.
“Gerald?” My dad’s voice cracked with disbelief.
“Please, calm down and hear him out,” my mom urged, stepping between them.
“He’s your blood,” she said firmly, gripping my dad’s arm. “Your son.”
“Don’t try to hurt him,” she warned. “He’s your own flesh and blood, Mr. Marvin.”
“But wait,” my mom added suddenly, her voice tightening with suspense.
A small, unreadable smile flickered across her face.
“Gerald could help us right now.”
“What?” my dad asked, his brows furrowing.
“Yes, yes,” my brother said quickly, nodding.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my eyes moving from face to face.
“The engagement,” my mom said simply.
“No… no… no!” I shouted, shaking my head in disbelief.
“Gerald is more than capable of helping us after the engagement,” my brother explained hurriedly. “He’s the one who introduced me to the deal too.”
“One more word,” my dad said darkly, “and your mouth would be bleeding.”
“He’s our only hope,” my mom insisted, stepping closer. “You’d better realize that before it’s too late.”
“Hellooooo! I’m right here!” I said, forcing a strained smile.
“You can’t be arguing about my life without asking my opinion. That’s not right.”
“Honey,” my mom said gently, approaching me.
“You have to do this for us,” my dad said, his voice firm yet pleading.
“I know you’ve been through a lot,” my mom whispered, her voice softening, “but this is the only way we can get out of this mess.”
“I… I can’t believe this,” I muttered, my hands trembling.
“I’m not in love with Gerald,” I shouted. “And I don’t want him. I don’t!”
I stormed out as tears streamed down my face.
In one night, I had cried more than I had in the past twenty-two years combined.
My phone vibrated suddenly in my hands—sharp and insistent.
Jenny’s name lit up the screen.
“Hey, girl. What’s up? I’ve been trying to reach you for hours,” she said.
“I’m fine,” I replied, forcing steadiness into my voice. “What’s up?”
“You don’t sound fine,” she said gently. “My brother told me you were almost ambushed today. Are you sure you’re okay?”
I swallowed hard. “I feel like I’m being used as collateral by everyone,” I said as tears spilled again. “They want me to marry your brother.”
She sighed softly. “You know he’s a good man. He really loves you. Maybe you should at least consider it.”
“I don’t love him,” I said firmly. “Right now, I’m focused on the company. You know that.”
“I know,” she replied. “Just don’t let this crush you. We’ll figure it out. Do you want me to
come over?”
“No,” I said quietly. “I’ll be okay.”
“Alright. Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be better.”
“Yes,” I whispered, ending the call.
I stared up at the stars, my thoughts drifting.
“They look freer than I am,” I murmured.
But this was my family. And for them, I had to take this chance.
As I walked toward the mansion entrance, the guards greeted me, but I barely noticed.
My hand hovered over the door handle.
One step forward, and there would be no turning back.
My fate would no longer be mine.
- Writer
