My Mate From Another World

ANNOUNCEMENT

Chapter 2

Emily forced her aching legs to move faster down the grand staircase, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped, panic-stricken bird. Delaying dinner meant harsh punishment, but arriving early only prolonged the emotional torment she endured every evening. The carpet beneath her feet absorbed the sound of her steps, leaving her feeling as though she were floating toward a confrontation she had no power to avoid.

When she entered the formal dining room, her step-siblings were already seated beneath the glittering light, silver cutlery gleaming under the massive crystal chandelier. The long mahogany table was set with pristine porcelain and polished crystal, an elaborate setup that felt absurdly sterile given the hostility thick in the air.

"Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," her step-sister, Sarah, sneered from across the table, casually twirling a silver fork between her manicured fingers. "Did you have to spend an entire hour building up the courage just to walk into a room?"

"She probably thinks she's a queen keeping her subjects waiting," her stepbrother, Jake, added with a bitter, condescending smirk. "Pathetic, really. Always lingering in the shadows like she's waiting for someone to pity her."

A dark flush of heat surged up Emily's neck and spread across her cheeks. Tears welled in her eyes immediately, her fragile emotions betraying her once again in front of everyone. She gripped the edge of her chair to steady herself before sitting.

"Sit down and wipe your face," Frederick barked loudly from the head of the long table, his eyes full of pure contempt. "How are you ever going to survive out in the real world if you break down into hysterics over simple words? You are completely good for nothing in this house. A constant disappointment."

Emily dragged her feet over to the empty seat at the far end of the table, directly opposite Sarah. Her fingers shook so violently that when she picked up her utensils, her silver fork clattered loudly against the rim of her fine porcelain plate.

Before her sat a plate of cold scrambled eggs and lukewarm mashed potatoes. Isabella knew very well that Emily couldn't stomach eggs—the smell and texture turned her stomach—yet they were intentionally served to her almost daily as a subtle, spiteful display of power. Emily forced a tiny spoonful into her mouth, forcing herself to swallow past the thick lump forming in her throat. The food tasted like ash on her tongue.

Frederick cleared his throat loudly, the deep sound cutting through the quiet like a blade. The entire room dropped into a tense, suffocating silence. Sarah lowered her fork, and even Jake stopped his quiet snickering.

"I have an important announcement to make," Frederick declared, staring blankly down the table at Emily. "I have officially arranged Emily’s marriage. A wealthy young man has agreed to take her as his wife. She will leave this house in one month."

"What?!" Sarah shrieked instantly, slamming both of her hands onto the polished wood table so hard her crystal wine glass sloshed over, staining the white linen. "Why her?! I am older and ten times more beautiful! I should be getting married first! Why does she get handed a wealthy husband?"

Isabella reached over and gently patted Sarah’s arm, a dark, calculating smile spreading across her features. "Calm down, my sweet girl. Your father and I have very specific reasons for giving Emily away right now. Trust us, this arrangement serves our family's best interests in ways you don't yet understand."

The entire room seemed to spin on its axis. The air vanished from Emily's lungs, leaving her cold, numb, and gasping. "Father... no. You can't just give me away like an object to a stranger! Don't I get any say in my own life? I don't even know who he is!"

Frederick’s gaze turned icy cold, stripping away any lingering sliver of hope she held. "You are my daughter, and you have no standing to decide anything. You will obey, or I will throw you onto the streets with empty pockets. Do you understand me? You have contributed nothing to this household, and this is the only way you will ever be of use. Now continue your meal."

Emily felt her heart shatter into a thousand jagged pieces. She couldn't breathe, couldn't swallow, and couldn't sit in that suffocating room for another second. Dropping her fork with a loud, ringing clatter, she turned and sprinted out of the formal dining room. Their harsh laughter and Frederick's angry calls followed her down the hall, but she didn't stop.

She ran blindly through the corridors until she reached the safety of her bedroom, throwing herself directly into Mary's waiting arms. Mary had been standing nearby, clearly aware that the dinner would end in disaster.

"Why does he hate me so much?" Emily sobbed hysterically, her nails digging into the rough fabric of Mary’s apron. "I wish I had died in that terrible attack! I should have died instead of Mom! It would have been better for everyone!"

"Hush, child, don't say such dreadful things," Mary whispered softly, her own tears soaking into Emily’s hair as she held her close. "You must stay strong for your mother's memory. That is all she ever wanted for you. You are here for a reason, Emily."

Emily cried until her chest ached with a hollow, deadening exhaustion. The pain in her body felt distant compared to the crushing weight of her future. She let Mary gently lay down on the mattress and pull the heavy blankets over her shoulders, closing her eyes tight and pretending to be asleep just so she could finally be left alone with her nightmare. Outside her window, the wind howled through the forest trees sounding like a distant warning.