Refusal
1216 Words
Evelyn slightly squeezed the file in her hand before gently dropping it onto the table.
"I'm not going to marry him, Dad."
Silence fell across the living room. Edward Ashford looked at her in surprise. Evelyn had always been the obedient child. The daughter who rarely argued. The daughter who did what she was told.
Celeste smirked and looked down at her phone.
Seraphina Ashford studied Evelyn carefully. Since moving into the Ashford mansion with Celeste, she had always known Evelyn as quiet and compliant. But something about her was different today. There was a confidence around her. A firmness she couldn't define. And Seraphina hated it.
"Evelyn, dear," Edward said gently. "Why won't you marry him?"
"Because I don't plan on getting married anytime soon."
The answer left everyone momentarily speechless.
Celeste rolled her eyes. "You're being dramatic," she said without looking up. "Do you expect Dad to beg you to marry someone?"
She reached for the file and opened it. Her expression changed instantly as she saw the name written in it.
"What?"
The phone slipped from her hand onto the sofa.
"Dad... is this Damien Blackwood?"
"Yes," Edward replied. "Isn't he the perfect match for your sister?"
Celeste stared at the file in shock and beads of sweat started to form on her forehead.
Evelyn watched her stepsister quietly. Two years ago, Celeste had reacted almost the exact same way. Back then, Evelyn hadn't understood why.
Now she did.
The memory of the stairs flashed through her mind. The way she was pushed without mercy. Her fall and the darkness that followed after.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
No.
She would not walk the same path twice. She reminded herself again.
"Evelyn," Edward continued patiently. "Your engagement party is scheduled for this weekend. Tell me what you'd like as an engagement gift."
Two years ago, those exact words had made her happy. They had made her believe her father cared.
Now she knew better.
Ever since her mother's death, her father had moved on with alarming speed. He had brought home a new wife. A new daughter and a new family, while she was left neglected and treated as an outcast in her own home. In her memory, she had married Damien Blackwood just to make her father happy.
But now she wasn't that Evelyn anymore. The Evelyn that put other people's happiness before her own died on those stairs.
"Dad, I don't need an engagement gift because I'm not getting engaged."
Edward's smile slowly faltered.
"And even if I decide to marry one day, it'll be someone I choose."
The room went quiet and for the first time, Edward seemed to realize she wasn't joking.
"What are you talking about, Evelyn?" Edward asked.
"I said I'm not marrying Damien Blackwood."
Her voice remained calm and steady. The firmness and determination in her voice left everybody speechless. Evelyn saw their shock and confusion, and a smile played on her lips.
For a moment too long, nobody spoke as they stared at her, waiting to see if she was joking or not.
"What has gotten into you, Evelyn?" Seraphina asked softly. "Why are you speaking to your father like this?"
Evelyn looked at her.
Seraphina's expression was full of concern and kindness. It looked almost motherly. If Evelyn didn't know better, she might have believed it.
"I haven't said anything disrespectful," Evelyn replied calmly.
Edward adjusted his tie.
"Did Damien offend you somehow?" Edward asked confused.
"No."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I simply don't want to marry him."
Edward stared at her for several seconds. Finally, he leaned forward.
"I'm only thinking about your future, Evelyn."
The words almost made her laugh.
"You don't need to think about my future for me, Dad."
A flicker of irritation crossed Edward's face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
"Then perhaps I should find another suitable candidate."
Before Evelyn could answer, Celeste suddenly sat upright.
"That's actually a good idea, Dad."
The eagerness in her voice was impossible to miss, and Evelyn noticed it immediately. Celeste wasn't saying it in her best interest. She was panicked, and that was interesting.
Evelyn slowly rose to her feet.
"Dad, I really appreciate the concern, but I don't need anyone finding a husband for me."
She offered a small smile.
"I'll handle my own future."
Evelyn turned toward the doorway.
"Where do you think you're going, Evelyn?" Edward asked sharply.
Evelyn paused and turned toward them. For a moment, she looked at the three people in the room.
Her father.
Her stepmother and her stepsister.
The people she had once called family. The people who had stood smiling while her life fell apart. Her chest tightened painfully.
She wanted answers.
She wanted revenge.
But most of all-
She wanted to survive.
"I need some air." Evelyn replied and started making her way to the entrance.
"Evelyn."
Edward Ashford's voice hardened.
Evelyn turned and looked back at her father.
Edward's expression was no longer warm or patient.
"You can take all the air you want."
His gaze settled on the file.
"But this conversation isn't over."
The warning was clear. He was telling her that there was no room for her to make choices about her life.
Evelyn held his stare for a moment before nodding in respect. Then she walked out of the living room without another word.
The second the front door closed, silence settled over the house. Edward rubbed a hand across his face.
"I don't know what's gotten into that girl."
Edward said displeased.
"She's probably overwhelmed," Seraphina said softly.
"Give her time. I'm sure she'll come around."
Edward sighed.
"I hope you're right."
After a few moments, he left the room. The second he was gone, Celeste moved closer to her mother.
"Mum."
Seraphina turned toward her.
"Mum, you can't let Evelyn marry Damien."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
Celeste hesitated a little. Then she finally said it.
"Because I'm in love with him."
Seraphina blinked. For a moment, she thought she had misheard.
"What?"
"I've liked him for years mum."
Celeste looked down at her hands.
"I was planning to tell him."
Her voice shook with frustration.
"And now Evelyn is ruining everything."
Seraphina studied her daughter carefully.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Seraphina asked.
"Because I didn't think I needed to share my love life with my mother. And I wanted to tell him first, but now you and Dad want her to marry him."
Seraphina stared at her daughter, not knowing what to say. Growing up, her daughter had always had everything she wanted. And even the things that did not belong to her, she always made sure she provided them for Celeste.
"Please, Mum, you have to convince Dad to change the suitor. You can marry her off to anyone else. I don't care. Just not Damien."
Seraphina gently reached for her daughter's hand and slowly patted it. A slow smile appeared on her face.
Damien Blackwood.
One of the most powerful men in Westhaven.
One of the most sought-after bachelors in the country. And Evelyn had rejected him.
How fortunate.
Seraphina squeezed Celeste's hands gently.
"Don't worry." Seraphina said
Celeste immediately looked up and Seraphina's smile deepened.
"I'll make sure Evelyn stays far away from Damien Blackwood."
- Writer
