TITLE: BOUND💍BY CONTRACT

CHAPTER ONE: Precellia’s POV “Miss Precellia, your father wants you to come to the dining today to eat,” Mary, my personal maid, said as she walked into my room. I hadn’t even touched my breakfast. Father wants me to eat at the dining today? Why? Did I do something wrong? I thought to myself, looking at Mary in confusion. The last time I ate with my parents at the dining table was five years ago, before the incident. Since then, I had been instructed to always eat in my room and never show my face before them unless it was urgent. Has Father finally forgiven me? “Are you coming, Miss?” Mary’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Of course,” I said quietly, following her out of the room. The dining room felt colder than I remembered. My parents were already seated. The atmosphere was silent, like it had always been since the incident five years ago. My mother hadn’t recovered from the shock. She had become distant, quiet, and her eyes always carried disappointment whenever they fell on me. “Good morning, sir. Good morning, ma,” I said with my head lowered. I wasn’t expecting a reply. I couldn’t even remember the last time they spoke to me without blaming me. I sat down nervously, my head still lowered. I couldn’t bring myself to look at them. The maids served breakfast and left. Now it was just me, Father, and Mother… and one empty seat that was usually occupied by Elvis. Elvis. My chest tightened. I miss him every single day. I was struggling to hold back tears when memories from the past came rushing back. I barely touched my food, but I kept wondering why Father had asked me to eat here today. Did I do something wrong again? They hadn’t said a word since we started eating. “Precellia.” Father’s voice broke the silence. I froze. “You will be getting married to the Bronks family’s second son in two days. Start preparing.”Father said passing a wedding invitation card to me. My hands went cold. “What?” I said, looking up at him. “Your wedding dress has already been made with your recent measurements.” I turned to Mother, hoping for some explanation… but she didn’t look at me. She stood up and walked away without a word. I couldn’t understand her expression. She always looked depressed… but today, it was something else. Something heavier. “But Father—” I tried to speak. “You’re aware that the company hasn’t been doing well,” he cut me off sharply. “Marrying you into the Bronks family will secure a lifelong partnership with Luminous. They are very influential.” “But I—” “Enough!” he shouted, standing up. “This is the only way I can forgive you for what you did to Elvis… my only son.” My body went numb. He turned and left the dining room without another word. I sat there shaking, tears finally falling. Elvis… My brother. They believed I caused his death. They had never stopped believing it. But I knew the truth. I still blamed myself every day… even if part of me didn’t understand why I had to carry all of it alone. Was I really just born to ruin everything? I pressed a hand to my chest as silent sobs broke out. Elvis… I’m sorry.