Chapter 3: THE COLD DEAL
1043 Words
ALLISON’S POV
Greg didn't flinch. He stood there, calm and
unnervingly composed. "I'm Greg Thorny, CEO
of this organization. And in three days, you're
marrying me."
My legs went weak at his words, and my stomach twisted.
My throat closed. "No. No, I won't!."
He didn't blink, didn't show a hint of warmth.
"Your father and I made a deal. A Contract. And
Now, you're part of it. You'll be my wife. That's
the deal."
I staggered back, my breath quickening. "This
is insane. I don't even know you!" l choked on
my words. "Why would he? How could he ?"
Greg's voice was ice. "It doesn't matter. It's
done. You'll either marry me, or your father's
debts will swallow you whole. Twenty-four
hours. You have twenty-four hours to decide."
Twenty-four hours? The words echoed in my
head, each one heavier than the last. I couldn't
do this. My hands shook as I gripped the back
of the chair. "I'm not ready for this. I'm only
twenty. I don't"
Greg leaned forward, his gaze steady. "If
you don't agree, I'll make sure you'll spend the rest of your
life paying off your father's debt. And your
mother? What surgery does she need? Without my
help, she'll die. Choose."
My vision blurred. I wanted to scream, to lash
out, but all I could do was stare at him, my
chest tight. "I don't have the money," I
whispered. "l don't"
"No, you don't," he said, cutting me off. "But you
can marry me. And I'll make sure your mother
gets the surgery."
I shook my head, my body trembling with the
weight of it. "You are getting this all wrong! I'm not
some... commodities! My life isn't for sale. Not
like this."
He said nothing. He just stood there, a plain look on his face. "You don't have any choice."
I felt the tears welling but refused to let them
fall. "I don't even know you. I can't won't
marry you." My voice cracked as I spoke, the
fight draining out of me with each word.
Greg's eyes narrowed slightly, but his
expression remained unchanged. "Your father
sold you out. He made this deal to save
himself. And now, you either marry me or
spend the rest of your life in debt. You're twenty
years old, and the clock is ticking."
The words stung, but the underlying truth
twisted like a knife. I couldn't let my mother
suffer. But I wasn't ready to give up my life, my
choices, to a stranger.
"Please, " I whispered, my voice breaking. "I
don't want this. I can't... I can't marry you."
Greg's face hardened. "There's nothing you can do about this."
I swallowed hard and drew in a deep breath trying to stop the tears, but
they spilled over anyway. My knees gave out,
and I sank to the floor, my hands pressed
against my face. "Please," I sobbed, "l can't do
this."
Greg didn't move. He just stared down at me,
unbothered by my despair. "You have twenty-four hours."
He nodded once, then turned away, heading
back to his desk. He picked up a pen as if he'd
already moved past me like I was just another
decision to be made. Like my life didn't matter
at all.
I ran out of his office without another word, My
body shaking as I burst through the door and
into the hall. I was out of breath. My thoughts
were racing, tumbling over each other. My
Father had done this. He had sold me.
How could he? How could he give me away
without even asking me?
When I got home, I didn't care to knock. I
shoved the door open, the familiar smell of
alcohol hit me like a punch to the gut. Zach
was sprawled out on the couch, eyes glued to
the TV.
"Zach!" My voice was a scream, raw with fury.
"Where is Dad? Where is he?"
He didn't even move a muscle, neither did he look up. "Don't know. Probably drunk in his room."
I marched down the hall, my fists clenched at
my sides. My blood boiled with every step. I
didn't care if I was about to lose it. My father
had ruined my life.
I found him at his desk, as expected. A bottle of
whiskey sat in front of him, and his glassy eyes
barely registered my presence.
"Dad!" I shouted, my voice shaking. "What is
happening? Why did you sell me off to that
man?"
He barely looked up, his voice slurred. "It's
business, Ally. Greg made an offer. A big one.
We can get out of this mess.
I stared at him lost for words, the rage bubbling up inside me."This isn't about business. This is about you, you selfish, drunken."
"Watch it. Watch the way you speak to me, Ally!" he snapped, swaying slightly. "What I'm doing is for the best of this family. Do you understand what I'm saying? Stop being so self-centered."
"You've never cared, not for once. You've never cared about Mom or me!"I
shouted, my voice breaking. "This is for you.
You only care about money and your next
drink."
His eyes flashed with anger, and he stood,
swiping the bottle off his desk. "You don't
understand, Ally! This is for you! For us! You'll
marry him. It's the only way out."
"No!" I screamed, tears streaming down my
face. "You've never cared. I've been
taking care of everything while you've been
drunk. You're giving me away like some...
prize."
His face twisted with irritation. "You'll do what's
best for this family, Ally. This is your future
now."
I stepped back, the weight of his words
pressing down on me. "I won't do this. I won't
be his wife."
Suddenly, my father grabbed my arm, forcing
me to look at him. His face was a mask of fury,
his breath was hot against my skin. "You'll marry
him, Ally. You have no choice. In three days,
you'll marry Greg Thorny. And that's final!"
"No, I won't get married to him," I shouted, my
voice cracking with defiance, though my insides
trembled.
My father's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping
to a deadly whisper."Then get ready to face
whatever he brings your way."
- Writer
