Chapter 3: Downhill
962 Words
I shook my head several times, knowing deep down that this was it. This was my right, and they couldn’t dictate it to me. I would not agree.
"I'm sorry," I stepped back from them, aware that everyone was watching me as I protested. "I don't understand why I have to marry this man." I pointed at Augustus, knowing my family was shocked because I could see the terror in my dad's eyes and my mom panicking. But I didn’t care about their reactions anymore.
All my life, I had endured their control over me. I wasn’t going to let them take away my rights this time. "Please, I can’t marry this man. I don’t even know him. What is this? An arranged marriage against my will? I don’t love him—"
Before I could finish, my mom cut me off, shouting at me.
"—his family is the only one that can help save our business, which is sinking fast. Don’t you get it, Rachel? We’re going bankrupt. Our family is struggling. A lot of investors are leaving our company because our brands are not selling anymore. Our chain businesses are losing customers due to a lack of employees. Wake up! Stop being foolish and stubborn and just do what we want!"
I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. I felt my heart pounding as if it would burst out of my ribcage. But I knew I had to fight for my rights.
"No, please, I can’t. I won’t agree to this. I don’t care if we go bankrupt. I don’t care about the business. This is not the solution. And why me? What about Rain?" I pointed at my sister standing on the side, glaring at me when I mentioned her. But again, I was interrupted as Rain chimed in because I had involved her.
"Don’t you dare point at me, Rachel, because between the two of us, I studied our business and I learned about our company. I know the chains, the system, and I know how to run it like the back of my hand. Our parents trained me for it. This is our destiny—to learn how to reach the top. But you wasted your life doing what? Running away from home, doing whatever you pleased. So don’t drag me into this, b*tch. That’s why they thought of arranging the marriage with you."
I was stunned, looking at Rain, my twin sister who was born into this world with me. She should be the one who understands me because when we were kids, I loved and respected her. But now, I couldn’t understand why she had become like this. Ever since we grew up and our family trained us in these matters, she had changed. She had become a monster like them.
I felt so hopeless, so defeated. All I could do was look at them. But then I remembered the baby I was carrying. I remembered that I was pregnant and couldn’t do this. And I love Xander so much. I planned to run away with him.
"No. I'm sorry. I love you all as my family, but I can’t do what you want. I can’t agree to this arranged marriage with this man. I don’t even love him."
I turned my back on them, intending to run to my room, but my dad suddenly shouted, "Try to leave now, Rachel, and I will kill you."
I froze. That was the first time my own father had threatened my life. Goosebumps ran all over my body. When I turned to face them, a hard punch landed on me. It hurt so much that I almost lost consciousness, but I managed to balance myself and remain standing while gripping the staircase.
"You will marry him whether you like it or not..."
And after that, they left me on the stairs and approached Augustus.
"So, son! Would you like us to show you around our mansion? We can show you where we'll have dinner with your family later, if it’s okay with you?"
"Sure. Go ahead. I can follow you later, I’ll stay here for now."
My family exchanged glances but agreed to Augustus's request.
"Okay, sure. We'll just go right ahead and make yourself comfortable here. You can ask our butler for anything you need, and they’ll provide it. While we prepare the family dining room for our dinner later."
As my parents left, ignoring the fact they ashamed me, I sensed that Rain stopped in front of me. I didn’t look at her, but I could feel her judgmental stare piercing through my soul.
"Serves you right. That’s for trying to be a rebellious b*tch." And just like that, she left.
I waited for the area to quiet down, although I knew our workers and maids were around. They were used to this kind of situation, so there was nothing I could do about it. I slowly stood up, despite the pain from being slapped by my mom earlier and my dad just now. I felt so hopeless and in so much pain. I wanted to cry and lock myself in my room, especially since the Blackwell family would be visiting later. I didn’t even know how my family reached out to them or how they arranged my marriage to Augustus. I felt so trapped and suffocated.
As I was about to go upstairs, he called my name.
"Rachel—" but I didn’t look at him. Instead, before he could speak, I cut him off.
"If you're going to ruin my life, just go. It’s already ruined."
And just like that, I went up the stairs to my room, slamming the door shut and crying my heart out on my bed.
- Writer
