Her father was nearly red with anger. His teeth clenched, and the veins in his neck and temples bulged. She swallowed hard, growing scared.
"Calm down, sweetheart," her mother said to her father while stroking his back.
"I’m sorry," she whispered, loud enough for them to hear. "I was worried and scared for my child’s life. I’ve been manipulated my whole life, and I don’t want my child to experience that. Just leave me alone, Mom. Please, leave me alone..." She was almost in tears, holding them back. "Stop manipulating me and forcing me to marry that man. I will never do that."
"Marry him, and you’re free from us. Simple," her mother said plainly. "Both parties would benefit from that wedding, Alexandra. It would help our business grow more when you marry Tommy. Instead of pushing yourse
