Sold To The Billionaire

Chapter3-ShatteredChoices

Kate shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "No. I won’t do it. I won’t marry him. If you need someone to marry him, why not give Eva? She’s the perfect daughter. She would never say no to you."

Robert’s expression hardened. "Cedric insisted on marrying you. He wants you, Katherine, and that’s final. You will marry him."

She felt a wave of nausea wash over her at his words. Cedric Rutherford, the billionaire tycoon, wanted her? Why? What could he possibly want from her? The idea of being sold off like a commodity made her feel sick to her stomach.

"I won’t do it," she said again, her voice firmer this time. "You can’t force me."

Robert’s eyes narrowed. "If you refuse, then you can pack your things and leave this house. You’ll have nothing—no money, no support. You’ll be on your own."

Kate’s breath caught in her throat. She had always known her father was a ruthless businessman, but she never imagined he would go this far. The reality of her situation crashed down on her, leaving her feeling trapped and powerless.

"Think carefully, Katherine," Robert continued, his voice cold and calculating. "This marriage is your only option. It’s the only way to secure your future and the future of this family. If you walk away, you’ll be walking away from everything."

Kate stared at him, her mind racing. She could feel the walls closing in on her, the weight of her father’s ultimatum pressing down on her chest. She had never felt so helpless, so utterly trapped.

Tears streamed down her face as she realised there was no way out. Her father had made sure of that. If she refused, she would lose everything. But if she agreed, she would be sacrificing her freedom, her dreams, and her chance at real love.

"I need some air," she said suddenly, turning on her heel and rushing out of the room before her father could stop her. She needed to get away, to clear her head, to think.

The cool night air hit her like a splash of cold water as she stepped outside. The sky was a blanket of darkness, dotted with faint stars that did little to lighten her mood. She walked aimlessly down the driveway, her mind a chaotic mess of thoughts and emotions.

She couldn’t believe this was happening. How could her father do this to her? How could he sell her off like some kind of commodity? The betrayal cut deep, and Kate felt her heart breaking under the weight of it.

She kept walking until she reached the gates at the end of the driveway. Beyond them, the city lights twinkled in the distance, a world away from the prison of her family’s estate. For a moment, she considered running away, disappearing into the night and never looking back.

But where would she go? What would she do? Her father had made it clear—if she didn’t agree to the marriage, she would have nothing. No money, no home, no support. The thought of being completely on her own, without any safety net, terrified her.

She leaned against the gate, tears streaming down her face. She had always dreamed of a life where she could make her own choices, where she could be free to live on her own terms. But that dream was slipping away, replaced by a nightmare she could never have anticipated.

Kate stood at the gate for what felt like hours, the cold metal biting into her palms as she clung to it. The reality of her situation was like a weight pressing down on her chest, suffocating and relentless. She had always thought of herself as strong, independent, someone who would never be controlled by anyone—not even her father. But now, faced with this impossible choice, she felt utterly powerless.

*How could he do this to me?* The thought ran through her mind over and over, mingling with a growing sense of desperation. She could feel the walls closing in, the options narrowing down to one bleak path. If she didn’t agree to this marriage, she would lose everything. But if she agreed, she would be giving up the very essence of who she was.

Kate squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the overwhelming fear and uncertainty. But the memories of the night came rushing back—her father’s cold, unyielding expression, the finality in his voice when he delivered his ultimatum. The knowledge that he was willing to cast her out if she didn’t comply. It was too much to bear.

As she stood there, her mind drifted to her mother. Grace Peterson had always been a distant figure in Kate’s life, more concerned with appearances and societal expectations than with the well-being of her daughters. Yet there had been moments, brief as they were, when Kate had seen a glimmer of warmth in her mother’s eyes, a hint of the woman she might have been if she weren’t so deeply entrenched in the world of high society.

Would Mother understand? Kate wondered. Would she even care?

The sound of a car approaching pulled Kate out of her thoughts. She turned to see the headlights of a sleek black vehicle winding down the driveway toward the mansion. For a moment, panic surged through her. What if it was Cedric? What if he had come to claim her already?

But as the car came closer, she realised it was one of the family’s drivers, likely sent by her father to retrieve her. Kate’s heart sank. There was no escape—not tonight, not ever. She was trapped.

The car rolled to a stop beside her, and the driver, a middle-aged man named James who had worked for the family for years, rolled down the window.

“Miss Kate,” he said, his tone gentle but firm, “your father’s been asking for you. He wants you back inside.”

Kate didn’t move, her feet rooted to the spot. She stared at the car, her mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted to turn and run, to leave everything behind and never look back. But another part of her, the part that had been conditioned to obey, to follow the rules, told her to get in the car, to go back and face whatever awaited her inside.

“Miss Kate,” James repeated, his voice a little more insistent. “Please.”