Chapter4
1139 Words
Anaya let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Excuse me?”
Richard’s gaze was sharp. “You heard me.”
Anaya shook her head. “Raquel is the one engaged to Lucien. Why would I—”
Raquel flipped her hair. “Because *I* have better options.”
Anaya’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”
Richard’s expression darkened. “Lucien’s family is bankrupt. He’s useless to us now.”
Anaya blinked. “And you expect me to take her place?”
Evelyn spoke up, her voice sweet but firm. “You should be grateful, Anaya. It’s the least you can do for this family.”
Anaya let out a sharp laugh. “So let me get this straight. You’re throwing me away to a man you don’t even want anymore?”
Raquel pouted mockingly. “Oh, don’t make it sound so terrible. You’ll be helping the Hawthorn name.”
Anaya turned to her father. “And if I refuse?”
Richard’s eyes hardened. “You won’t.”
Anaya’s pulse quickened. “And why is that?”
Evelyn smirked. “Because if you refuse, your grandmother will suffer.”
Anaya’s blood ran cold. “What did you say?”
Richard leaned back in his chair. “Your grandmother is old. She needs care. *Our* care. If you don’t do this, we’ll make sure she doesn’t receive it.”
Anaya’s hands trembled. “You’re blackmailing me?”
Raquel grinned. “It’s called motivation”
Anaya felt the walls closing in. If she refused, her grandmother would suffer. If she agreed, she would be sacrificing herself—again.
She closed her eyes, her breath shaking.
There was no choice.
Not yet.
Slowly, she looked up and met Richard’s cold gaze. “Fine.”
Evelyn clapped her hands together. “Good girl.”
Raquel sighed dramatically. “That was easy. I expected more of a fight.”
Anaya ignored her. “When is the wedding?”
Richard smirked. “Tomorrow.”
Her stomach flipped. “Tomorrow?”
Evelyn waved a hand. “There’s no need for delays.”
Anaya’s heart pounded. They weren’t just throwing her away—they were getting rid of her as quickly as possible.
She clenched her fists. “And Lucien? Does he know about this?”
Raquel laughed. “Oh, he’ll know soon enough.”
Anaya felt trapped. But she swallowed her anger, forcing herself to remain calm.
Let them think they had won.
For now.
Because she would not stay silent forever.
One day, she would take back everything they had stolen from her.
And she would make them regret ever underestimating her.
Anaya sat stiffly on the velvet couch in the Hawthorn mansion’s grand living room. The chandelier above cast a golden glow, but she felt nothing but coldness from the people around her.
Her father, Richard Hawthorn, leaned forward, his fingers interlocked. “You will marry Lucien Rodrigo.”
Anaya’s hands curled into fists. “No.”
Her mother, Evelyn, sighed, adjusting her diamond bracelet. “Anaya, don’t be difficult.”
“Difficult?” Anaya laughed bitterly. “You expect me to marry a man I don’t know—just because Raquel doesn’t want him anymore? Do I look like a sacrificial lamb?”
Raquel, who sat beside their mother, smirked. “Lucien is from a bankrupt family, Anaya. He has nothing. Why should I marry a man with no future?”
Anaya’s anger flared. “So you get to walk away, and I get to suffer? Why is it always me?”
Richard’s expression hardened. “Because you owe this family.”
Anaya shot up from her seat. “I owe you? What have you ever given me besides pain?”
Evelyn’s lips pursed. “Enough. We have already decided.”
“Well, I have decided too.” Anaya lifted her chin. “I won’t do it.”
Richard exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. “You’re being childish.”
“No, Father. I’m being human”.
Evelyn’s eyes darkened. “You should be grateful we’re even considering you for this.”
Anaya let out a hollow laugh. “Grateful? You want to trade me off like I’m some unwanted object.”
Richard stood abruptly. “Enough!” His voice thundered through the room. “You are a Hawthorn. You will do as you’re told!”
“No,” Anaya whispered, shaking her head. “I won’t.”
Just as she turned toward the door, it burst open.
A maid rushed in, panting. “Sir! Madam! The old madam—she collapsed!”
Anaya froze.
Raquel gasped, covering her mouth. “Grandma?”
The maid nodded frantically. “She fainted in her room. She’s not waking up!”
Anaya’s heart pounded. Without another word, she ran out of the room, ignoring her parents’ calls.
In her grandmother’s room, Anaya dropped to her knees beside the bed, grabbing the old woman’s frail hand.
“Grandma?” Her voice was shaky.
Her grandmother’s eyelids fluttered, but she barely moved.
Anaya turned to the doctor standing beside the bed. “What’s wrong with her?”
The doctor hesitated. “She had a stroke.”
Anaya’s breath caught in her throat. “A stroke?”
He nodded. “She needs immediate surgery.”
Anaya swallowed hard. “Then do it.”
The doctor sighed. “The cost is high. At least a hundred thousand dollars.”
Anaya’s stomach twisted. She didn’t have that kind of money.
She turned to Richard, who stood at the doorway with Evelyn and Raquel. “Help her.”
Richard’s lips curled in a smirk. “Help her? And what do we get in return?”
Anaya’s eyes widened. “She’s your mother.”
“And you are my *daughter*,” he countered. “One who refuses to listen.”
Evelyn crossed her arms. “This is simple, Anaya. Marry Lucien, and we’ll cover the medical bills.”
Anaya’s fists clenched. “You’re blackmailing me?”
Richard shrugged. “Call it what you want.”
Raquel sighed dramatically. “Poor Grandma. She always loved you the most.”
Anaya turned back to her grandmother.
Her breathing was shallow, her skin pale.
She was running out of time.
Anaya closed her eyes. She had no choice.
Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Fine.”
Evelyn tilted her head. “Fine… what?”
Anaya swallowed her pride. “I’ll marry Lucien.”
Raquel clapped her hands. “Oh, finally.”
Richard nodded. “Good.” He turned to the doctor. “She’ll get the money. Start the surgery immediately.”
Tears burned in Anaya’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
She had lost again.
But one day, the Hawthorns would pay.
And when they did, she would make sure they felt every bit of the pain they had caused her.
- Writer
