Forced to Marry the Ruthless Billionaire

Aria’s pov ​“You are the one who must marry him.” ​The words didn't just hang around me ; they stifled me like a rope. For a moment I couldn't breathe ​“What…?” I mumbled. My voice was very weak and broken, yet it echoed in the sitting room. ​Emma, my stepmother, did not even bath an eyelid. She really looked… cheerful. “Don’t look stunned,” she said harshly. “You obviously heard what I said .” ​My fingers held my floral dress tightly, creasing the cloth. “But you have a daughter,” I said, trembling as I tried to keep cool . “Sophia. Your best-loved.” Smack! Pain blazed through my face as my head snatched sideways. Everything became hazy. ​gently, I turned,not facing her, but facing the only person who might stop this. My father. But he did not even give a glance at me. He just rose up and marched into his study as if this was not a problem. ​Inside, I shattered. ​“Mind how you talk to me!” Emma spoke sharply. “Do you want your kid sister to get married to a crippled man she doesn't love?” “ She has a bright future ahead.” ​She roared. “In case you have forgotten,” she continued, “ the reason we’re in this mess is because of you.” ​I chuckled bitterly. ​ “I wasn’t the one driving that night… was I?” ​ ​Something dark shackled in her eyes, then she gave a cold smile. “And yet,” she said softly, “you will be the one to fix this mess, my daughter did it because of you.” ​My heart was racing. I knew who they meant. Everyone did. Liam. The man who dominated the business world like a king. The man whose life was destroyed in one night. The man is now in a wheelchair… who sought vengeance. ​“Mr. Liam gave us a choice,” Emma continued. “Our daughter who put him in that state… or he destroys everything your father built.” My heart skipped a bit. “And you chose me.” She didn't conceal her happiness. “Be grateful,” she said. ​Grateful. The word ridiculed me. ​“For once,” she smiled heartlessly, “you’re finally helpful to this family.” That was when it dawned on me. ​I wasn’t getting married. I was being offered in order to save the family. ​I was standing at my father’s door, with trembling hands . ​My heart skipped a beat, I forgot to knock and pushed the door open. “Dad…” He kept his head down, not bothering to look at me. ​He kept on flipping through pages of a magazine as if I didn't exist. “Hmm.” It ended there. I felt a lump in my throat . “We need to talk.” He gently took off his glasses. His gaze showed exhaustion and something worse… remorse. ​“I know what is going on ,” he said softly. ​ I felt very disappointed. “You know I have a boyfriend and I won’t pay for Sophia’s crime.” He didn’t respond to me. “Dad, please,” I said, stepping closer to him . “I can’t betray Ethan. I didn’t do it. I wasn't me that night.” ​“I know.” ​Those words hurt more than the slap. I froze. “Then… why aren't you stopping her?” He looked away. At that instant, I knew. He would not do anything to help me. ​“Our company is struggling,” he said after a long pause. “If we lose this, if Mr. Liam destroys us, everything ends.” I looked at him in disbelief. “So I’m a trade?” I asked. “Is that it?” “No.” ​“Then what am I, Dad?” My voice snapped. “Because it sounds like you’ve decided.” He stood up but stayed far away. He did not show any sympathy. “All I'm doing is just to protect the family.” I laughed sharply. “By giving me away ?” I asked. “By forcing me to marry him?” He pulled away. But he uttered nothing. My last hope died in that silence. “I thought…” Tears burned my eyes. “I thought you were going to protect me.” ​He clenched his teeth. He looked guilty, but wasn't convincing enough. ​“Aria” “No,” I mumbled, stepping back. “Don’t.” Something inside me was shattered. It was beyond repair. ​“When this ruins me,” I said calmly, “just remember…” My voice dropped. “You let it happen.” I turned and walked away. This time ​he didn't stop me.