Chapter 1 Sudden Announcement

Alicia Davenport

I couldn't believe my ears when my parents dropped the bombshell on me. Sitting in the cozy living room of our family home, surrounded by the warmth of the crackling fireplace, I felt like I was in a nightmare.

“Alicia, darling,” my mother began, her voice overly sweet, which usually meant trouble. “We have something important to discuss with you.”

My heart skipped a beat as I looked from her to my father, who wore a solemn expression. Something in their demeanour told me this wasn't going to be good news.

“We've arranged for you to be engaged to Nicholas,” my father announced as if he was discussing the weather.

“Nicholas? Which Nicholas are you guys talking about?” I asked, slightly confused but also nervous.

“Nicholas Andrieux. I’m sure you remember him.” Dad said.

My eyes widened, and at that moment, I couldn’t breathe or think.

This is really a nightmare.

My mind screeched to a halt. Nicholas Andrieux? That insufferable, arrogant man I'd had the displeasure of meeting at some charity event a few months back? The memory of his condescending smirk and dismissive attitude made my blood boil.

“What? Is this some kind of a joke?” I sputtered, unable to find any other words.

My mother placed a comforting hand on mine. “We understand it might come as a surprise, dear, but Nicholas comes from a highly respected family, and this alliance would be beneficial for both of our families.”

Alliance? Did they think we were living in medieval times?

“But I already have a boyfriend,” I blurted out, my voice rising in panic.

My parents exchanged a glance, and my father sighed heavily. “We've already discussed this with your boyfriend, Alicia. They understand the situation and are supportive of our decision.”

Supportive? My boyfriend, supportive of me being forced into an engagement with another man? It made no sense.

I stood up abruptly, feeling the need to distance myself from this absurd conversation. “I can't believe you're doing this to me,” I whispered, feeling betrayed.

“We're doing what's best for you, Alicia,” my mother said softly, her eyes pleading for understanding.

“Y-you can’t just…do this to me. It’s my life, not yours. You don’t have rights telling me what to do.”

But all I felt was anger and frustration. How could they decide my future like this? Tears threatened to spill over as I stormed out of the room, unable to bear another moment of their rationalizations.

As I made my way up the stairs to my room, a sense of suffocation engulfed me. How could they expect me to marry someone I barely knew, let alone someone as obnoxious as Nicholas? And what about my boyfriend? How could he stand by and let this happen?

Flopping onto my bed, I buried my face in the pillow, trying to block out the overwhelming emotions swirling inside me. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of my stomach.

Hours passed, the sun sinking below the horizon, casting long shadows across my room. I hadn't moved from my spot, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. What was I going to do?

Just as I was about to drift off into an uneasy sleep, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. With a heavy sigh, I reached over to check the notification.

It was a message from my boyfriend, Daniel.

“Hey, Alicia. Can we talk?”

My heart sank as I read the words. Did he already know about the engagement? Was he going to break up with me too, just like my parents had betrayed me?

Feeling numb, I typed out a response.

“Sure. What's up?”

The minutes dragged on like hours as I waited for his reply. Finally, just as I was about to give up hope, another message popped up on the screen.

“I need to see you. Can we meet at our spot?”

Our spot. The small, secluded bench overlooking the lake where we'd shared countless memories together. It was where we'd confessed our love for each other, where we'd dreamed about our future together.

Nerves churned in my stomach as I replied with a simple “Okay.”

Dragging myself off the bed, I quickly changed into a fresh set of clothes and slipped out of the house, careful to avoid running into my parents.

The night air was crisp and cool as I made my way to the lake, the moon casting a soft glow on the path ahead. My heart pounded in my chest as I approached our spot, anticipation and dread warring inside me.

Daniel was already there when I arrived, sitting on the bench with his head in his hands. He looked up as I approached, his expression pained.

“Alicia,” he began, his voice trembling slightly. “I don't know how to say this...”

My heart dropped as I braced myself for the inevitable.

“I... I can't do this anymore,” he continued, his words like a dagger to my heart. “I can't be with you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to comprehend what he was saying. “What do you mean?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of my own heartbeat.

“I'm sorry,” he said, his eyes filled with sorrow. “But I can't stand by and watch you marry someone else. It's not fair to either of us.”

Marry someone else. The words echoed in my mind, sending a fresh wave of pain crashing over me. Daniel knew about the engagement. He knew, and he was breaking up with me because of it.

Anger bubbled up inside me, hot and fierce. How dare he? How dare he walk away from me when I needed him the most?

But before I could give voice to my rage, Daniel reached out and took my hand in his, his touch gentle and comforting.

“I'll always love you, Alicia,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. “But this is goodbye.”

And with that, he stood up and walked away, leaving me alone on the bench, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I sat there in the darkness, the weight of my loneliness crushing me like a ton of bricks. How had everything fallen apart so quickly? And what was I going to do now?

It shouldn’t end like this.

Does our three-year relationship mean nothing to him?

I’m hurt.

I wanted to scream but I couldn’t.

With a heavy heart, I wiped away my tears and stood up from the bench. As I turned to leave, a figure emerged from the shadows, a familiar smirk playing on his lips.

Nicholas.

My stomach churned as I realized he must have been watching the whole time. I wanted to scream at him, to lash out and make him feel even a fraction of the pain I was feeling. But all I could manage was a bitter laugh.

“Congratulations,” I spat, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “You got your wish. I'm all yours.”

And with that, I stormed off into the night, leaving Nicholas standing alone by the lake, his laughter echoing in the darkness.

Chapter 2 Sooner or Later

Nicholas Andrieux

The cold night air brushed against my face as I watched Alicia disappear into the distance, her silhouette barely visible under the dim moonlight. Tears had glistened in her eyes before she turned away; her steps hurried, almost desperate.

I hadn’t expected to see her here. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop either. I was only here for some fresh air, to clear my mind from the suffocating expectations weighing on my shoulders. And yet, there she was, with him.

Alicia’s boyfriend.

Her words repeated in her mind. Seems like her parents have told her about our marriage, and she is not happy from the looks of it.

I chuckled, shaking my head as I found her words funny. If she thinks this marriage between us is happening because I want to, then she is wrong. More likely, I don’t have much of a choice.

After all, I will do anything to get what I want.

I scoffed at the thought, rubbing my temple in frustration. I didn’t care about her or her relationship. The marriage had nothing to do with love. It was a business arrangement, one that benefited me greatly. Her family possessed what I needed to solidify my position, to ensure the legacy my grandfather had built would not crumble beneath my feet or worse fall on the wrong hands.

That was my priority.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Glancing at the screen, I saw an unknown number flashing before me. Curious, I answered.

“Nicholas,” a sultry voice purred. “Are you coming over tonight?”

A smirk tugged at my lips. I recognized that voice. One of the many women who eagerly sought my attention. “I’ll be right there,” I said smoothly before ending the call. If Alicia could have her fun, so could I.

The next morning, I found myself seated in the lavish dining room of the Davenport mansion, facing Alicia’s father across a grand table adorned with fine china and an assortment of breakfast dishes. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as he sipped from his cup, his gaze steady on me.

“I told Alicia about the arrangement last night,” he began, setting his cup down with a small clink. “It didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped.”

I nodded, unsurprised. “That’s fine. She needs time to process, but the marriage will still happen. However, I’m in no rush.”

Relief washed over his face. “I appreciate your patience, Nicholas. Alicia can be... strong-willed.”

That was an understatement. Our first meeting had been a disaster, and I had no delusions about this marriage being anything short of a battlefield.

The sharp click of heels against the marble floor drew our attention. Alicia descended the grand staircase, her expression unreadable but for the tightness around her lips. Her displeasure was evident.

“Alicia, join us for breakfast,” her father called.

She didn’t slow her steps. “I’ll have to skip. I don’t want to be late for work.” Her tone was cold and full of disinterest.

I leaned back in my chair, watching her with mild amusement. “I’ll take you to work.”

She halted abruptly, eyes narrowing as she turned toward me. “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t need your help. I can manage on my own. I’m not a baby. ”

“Alicia.” Her father’s voice carried a hint of warning. “That’s no way to speak to your future husband.”

She let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “Nicholas is not my future husband, and he never will be.”

Her defiance was expected, but hearing her say it outright stirred something inside me. Annoyance? Challenge? I wasn’t sure. But I wasn’t about to let her walk away without having the last word.

I pushed back my chair, rising to my feet. “Excuse me, I’ll talk to her,” I said politely to her father before following Alicia outside.

She was already striding toward her car, heels clicking against the pavement with determined force.

“Alicia.”

She didn’t stop.

“Alicia.” My tone demands, but it doesn’t stop her.

I quickened my pace and reached for her wrist, my fingers closing gently around it. She stiffened but didn’t pull away immediately. “Let go, Nicholas,” she said, her voice low, controlled.

“You’re going to have to accept it sooner or later,” I told her, my tone softer than I expected. “This is happening.”

She turned then, her eyes blazing. “You think I’ll just roll over and let my father decide my life for me?”

“No.” I held her gaze. “I think you’ll fight it, just like you’re doing now. But in the end, you’ll realize that this marriage isn’t about us. It’s about our families.”

She exhaled sharply and yanked her wrist free. “You don’t care about me. You don’t even like me. This marriage doesn’t even benefit me.”

I smiled, a slow, knowing curve of my lips. “You’re right. I don’t care about you. Maybe this marriage doesn’t benefit you, but it sure does benefit your family.”

Her eyes flashed with something—anger, frustration, maybe even a hint of hurt. “I don’t care how important or powerful your family is. Don’t act like you have any right to be involved in my life.”

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. “I don’t want to be involved in your life, Alicia. But I will be. And you have to accept it sooner or later.”

She let out a frustrated sound, shoving past me and getting into her car. She didn’t slam the door, but I could see the tension in her grip on the steering wheel.

As she drove off, I watched her go, shaking my head slightly.

This was going to be interesting.

~~~

A few days ago…

The clinking of silverware against fine china filled the air of the Andrieux family dining room. The long mahogany table, set with an array of exquisite dishes, did little to ease the palpable discomfort between the four people seated around it.

At the head of the table sat my father, Henry Andrieux, his piercing gaze hidden momentarily as he meticulously cut into his steak. My mother, Elsie, sat to his right, her delicate hands wrapped around the stem of her wine glass, while my sister, Rose, sat beside her, idly pushing a piece of salmon around her plate.

I sat to my father’s left, absently slicing through the medium-rare cut of meat before me. The tension was a familiar companion at these dinners, woven into the very fabric of our family dynamic. My father’s voice finally cut through the quiet, steady, and authoritative as ever.

“Nicholas,” he began dabbing his lips with a napkin before resting his elbows on the table. “How is the Andrieux Real Estate Agency doing?”

I took a bite of my steak, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. “Everything is going well, under control,” I answered, keeping my tone measured. “We’ve secured two major development projects in the past month, and the investors are more than satisfied.”

My father gave a slow nod, a contemplative expression settling on his face. “That’s good to hear.”

A moment of silence stretched between us before he placed his utensils down with an audible clink and leaned back in his chair. “However, you will not be working alone in the Agency anymore.”

My hand froze mid-cut, and I raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean?”

Before my father could answer, the sharp sound of shoes clicking against the marble flooring echoed through the room. Instinctively, I turned my head towards the entrance, my muscles stiffening the moment my eyes landed on the person stepping into the dining room.

A man I had not seen in years.

Chapter 3 What’s Your Plan?

Alicia Davenport

My morning had already been ruined the moment Nicholas Andrieux walked through that door. I still couldn’t believe my parents would even consider arranging a marriage for me—let alone to him. The mere thought of it made my stomach twist.

How could they expect me to marry a man I barely knew? A man who, from our single encounter, had been nothing short of insufferable.

Groaning aloud, I leaned back on my chair. “How can my parents do this to me?”

My phone vibrates in the middle of my racing mind. As I saw the caller ID, I couldn’t help but ignore the call.

Of course, it’s my Dad. He will probably remind me to keep my behaviour in check in front of my so-called “future husband”. Just hearing the name makes me want to puke.

I stared at the words on my computer screen, but they may as well have been written in a foreign language. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t focus. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, frustration, sadness, and, worst of all, helplessness.

Nicholas Andrieux. Just his name was enough to make my blood boil. And yet, here I was, being forced into a marriage with him.

My fingers hovered over my laptop keyboard, but the words on the screen blurred together. Work was the last thing I could focus on when my entire life was being turned upside down.

A sharp knock on my office door yanked me from my spiraling thoughts. I quickly straightened in my chair, rubbing at my temples before calling out, “Come in.”

The door swung open, and Cindy strutted in, radiating her usual confidence. Her blonde hair cascaded in effortless waves, and she carried two steaming cups of coffee in her hands. “Morning, sunshine,” she greeted me with a smirk, setting one of the cups on my desk.

I took it without much enthusiasm, staring into the dark liquid before taking a sip. Cindy’s keen eyes scanned my face, her smirk fading into a concerned frown. “Okay, spill. You look like someone just ran over your puppy.”

I let out a deep sigh, placing the cup down. “Daniel broke up with me.”

Cindy’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Why?” she nearly shouted. “Are you serious?”

I nodded weakly. My eyes burned, but I had no more tears left to shed. I had exhausted them all last night.

Cindy quickly moved to my side, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “I don’t understand. You and Daniel were practically glued to each other. You two were like... the perfect couple! What the hell happened?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I had cried myself to exhaustion last night, but even now, the pain lingered like a dull ache in my chest. “Because of my parents,” I muttered.

Cindy’s brows knitted together. “What do you mean?”

I hesitated for a moment, then exhaled in defeat. “My parents arranged a marriage for me.”

Silence.

Then-

Cindy blinked, stunned into silence. Then, she shot up from the chair, nearly knocking it over. “Excuse me? An arranged marriage? In this century?” Her voice was laced with disbelief. “That’s insane! You can’t be serious.”

I let out a humorless chuckle. “Tell me about it. I don’t want this marriage to happened.”

She shook her head vigorously. “Okay, but why? Why would your parents do this to you?”

I sighed, running a hand through my already messy hair. “Business. That’s all it is. Nicholas even said it himself—our marriage would be beneficial.”

Cindy’s frown deepened. “Wait. Nicholas? As in Nicholas Andrieux?”

I blinked in surprise. “Yeah… how do you know?”

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she quickly leaned over my desk, grabbed my laptop, and began typing furiously. After a moment, she turned the screen toward me.

“Nicholas Andrieux,” she read aloud, scrolling through the information. “The most eligible bachelor in New York and Los Angeles. President of Andrieux Real Estate Agency. He’s ruthless in the business world, worth billions, and basically the definition of ‘untouchable.’”

I leaned forward, skimming through the articles. “Great,” I muttered. “So not only am I being forced into a marriage, but I’m being handed over to a control-freak billionaire.”

He was apparently a real estate mogul, feared and respected in the business world. His face was plastered on every finance magazine, exuding power and arrogance. Just great.

Cindy shook her head in disbelief. “How do you not know any of this?”

I shrugged. “I knew who he was, but I didn’t really know him. I’ve only met him once—a few months ago—and even then, he was an insufferable jerk.”

Cindy let out a dry laugh. “And now you’re getting married to him. Oh, the irony.”

I groaned, rubbing my face in frustration. “Yeah, hilarious.”

Cindy studied me for a moment before crossing her arms. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

“What do you mean?” I looked at her with confusion etched on my face.

“So, what’s your plan?”

I blinked at her. “My plan?”

“Yeah, obviously, you’re not going to sit back and let your parents dictate your life, right?”

“Of course not!” I shot up from my chair. “There is no way in hell I’m marrying Nicholas Andrieux. I’d rather—”

“Die?” Cindy interrupted dryly. “Cliché, but noted.”

I sighed, slumping back down. “I just… I don’t know what to do. My parents won’t take no for an answer.”

Cindy tapped a finger against her chin, deep in thought. “Well…I mean, you could run away.”

I gave her a flat look. “Oh, sure. Because fleeing the country is such an easy solution.”

“Hey, it’s an option,” Cindy said defensively. “Better than marrying him. Or…” Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “You could sabotage the engagement.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Sabotage?”

Cindy leaned in. “Make him regret ever choosing you. Be the worst fiancée imaginable. Make him want to back out.”

I frowned. “That’s ridiculous.”

She crossed her arms. “Is it? If he realizes you’re a ‘terrible’ match, he might just call it off himself.”

I shook my head. “That won’t work. If I pull something like that, it could damage the Davenport business.”

Cindy sighed dramatically. “Fine. It was just a suggestion. So, what’s your plan?”

I leaned back in my chair. “I’m not going through with the marriage. I’ll try talking to Daniel and figure something out.”

Cindy gave me a skeptical look. “Do you think he’ll fight for you?”

I bit my lip, uncertainty creeping in. “I’m sure he will. It’s just that…my parents were involved with this matter, and they talk to Daniel about my marriage to Nicholas.”

“Damn! No wonder he broke up with you.”

I glared at Cindy, and she put her hands up in surrender. “I was joking, but yeah, you should talk to Daniel. Try explain I to him and maybe he will understand.”

I nodded. “I will. I hope he understands.”

She nodded. “I’m sure he will understand. After all, you guys have been together for three years. You two love each other. But if that doesn’t work, we go with Plan B—sabotage.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not happening.”

Cindy smirked. “We’ll see.”

Chapter 4 Seeing Daniel

Alicia Davenport

I left work early, eager to see Daniel. I had texted him earlier, but he still hadn’t replied. A sinking feeling settled in my chest—he was avoiding me. But why? It couldn’t just be about my parents pushing for me to get married. There had to be something more. Something deeper.

The thought gnawed at me as I got into my car and started the long drive to his workplace. I had never actually been there before. Usually, he was the one coming to see me. I had passed by his office building plenty of times, but this was my first time stepping inside.

As I drove, I rehearsed what I would say.

“Daniel, why are you avoiding me?”

“I don’t care what my parents said. I want to be with you.”

“You should have talked to me first before deciding we’re over.”

I sighed. No matter how I phrased it, I knew he would push back. He always put me first, sometimes at his own expense. I just had to make him understand that I wasn’t willing to let him go.

When I arrived, I took a deep breath and stepped out of my car. The office was a modern glass building, simple but elegant. I entered the lobby and found the reception desk.

“I'm here to see Daniel Anderson,” I said confidently.

The receptionist smiled. “I’m sorry, miss. May I know what your purpose is?”

I cleared my throat as I wasn’t expecting this. “Um…I’m here to see Daniel Anderson. There are... some important matters that I need to solve with him.”

I crossed my finger behind my back, hoping that the receptionist would let me go and stop questioning me. “Of course. Mr. Anderson is on the fifth floor.”

I thanked her and made my way up, my heart pounding. The hallway was bustling with employees, but I tuned them out, focusing on the only person I had come to see.

I stepped onto his floor and scanned the room, but I didn’t see Daniel. then I walked around with him, eyes scanning to find Daniel, and I spotted him immediately as I walked out from another room. He was standing on the balcony, laughing with a group of coworkers. The sight made my heart clench—he looked so at ease, so natural.

But when I called his name and waved, his expression shifted. His smile disappeared, replaced by surprise and something else... hesitation.

His friends turned to me, eyes filled with curiosity.

“Who's this?” one of them asked, looking between me and Daniel. “And why haven’t you introduced us before, man?”

Daniel cleared his throat, avoiding my gaze. “She’s... just a friend,” he said hesitantly.

His words hit me like a slap.

I forced a smile, ignoring the sharp sting in my chest.

“Hello, nice to meet you,” I said shyly as I greeted them.

“Wow, miss, you look beautiful, and you look quite familiar.” One of his friends say that as he looked at my face.

“Um... thank you, and I think you mistaken me for someone else.” I smile awkwardly.

Before they could answer, Daniel cut him off.

“Do you mind leaving us alone, guys? I need to talk my friend for a minute.”

“Yeah, sure.”

His friends seemed oblivious to the tension, exchanging glances before excusing themselves, leaving us alone.

The moment they were out of earshot, Daniel turned to me, his expression unreadable.

Silence filled the air between us before Daniel decided to speak first.

“Alicia, what are you doing here?” His tone was clipped, almost annoyed. He frowned as he looked at me.

I frowned. “Why are you talking to me like that? You didn’t answer my texts, so I came to see you. I wanted to talk.”

He exhaled sharply. “Alicia… we broke up. Why should I answer your texts?”

I flinched but quickly recovered. “We didn’t break up,” I shot back. “You broke up with me without even giving me a chance to say anything. I haven’t even said a word, and you just left me there, Daniel. At the lake. Do you think that was fair?”

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

I stepped closer, searching his face. “What did my parents say to you?”

He averted his eyes, staring past me as if hoping I would drop the subject.

I wasn’t going to.

“Daniel,” I pressed, my voice firm, “what did they say to you?”

He sighed heavily and turned away, gripping the balcony railing. “You want to know what they say to me? They told me to stay away from you,” he finally admitted, his voice low. “That I don’t deserve you. That we come from different worlds.”

Anger boiled inside me. “They had no right to say that!”

Daniel let out a bitter chuckle. “They think they do. They said you’re meant to take over Davenport Architects, and I’m just a regular guy. They don’t want you wasting your time on someone beneath you.”

I clenched my fists. I had expected them to disapprove, but this? It was cruel.

“That’s not all, is it?” I whispered.

Daniel hesitated before nodding. “They said if I didn’t leave you, they’d ruin my life. My family’s life.” He finally met my eyes, pain flickering in his gaze. “They threatened to destroy everything I care about, Alicia. I had no choice.”

Shock rippled through me. My parents—my own parents—had done this? They had threatened him? I felt sick.

“They told me not to tell you,” Daniel continued, his voice soft now. “But I can’t lie to you, Alicia. I love you too much for that.”

Tears pricked at my eyes. I reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “They’re blinded by their obsession with power. They don’t understand that I love you. That I choose you.”

He exhaled shakily, lifting his hand to caress my cheek. “I love you too,” he murmured. “I never wanted to leave you. But what was I supposed to do? Fight them? They have all the power.”

“Then let me fight them,” I said fiercely. “They’re my parents, and I won’t let them control my life like this.”

He looked at me, a mixture of hope and doubt in his eyes. “Alicia…”

I reached up and cupped his face. “I don’t want to lose you, Daniel. I won’t. We’ll face this together.”

His thumb brushed against my cheek, wiping away a tear that had slipped free.

“But what if—”

“No what ifs,” I interrupted. “I love you, and that’s not going to change. They might think they can dictate my life, but they’re wrong.”

He studied me for a long moment, then let out a breath of laughter—soft, disbelieving. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

I smiled through my tears. “Took you long enough to realize.”

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. I buried my face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe again.

But this wasn’t over.

I was going to confront my parents. And this time, I wouldn’t back down.

Chapter 5 The Argument

Alicia Davenport

The drive home felt like a blur. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, my mind replaying Daniel’s words over and over again.

“They threatened to destroy everything I care about, Alicia. I had no choice.”

My own parents had threatened him. They had used their power and influence to force the man I love to walk away from me. How could they? How could they think they had the right to decide who I could or couldn’t be with?

By the time I pulled up to my house, fury was burning inside me like a raging fire. I slammed the car door shut and stormed up the front steps. The grand, towering mansion that once felt like home now felt like a cage. A place where power dictated love.

I pushed the heavy door open with force, not caring if the noise startled anyone inside. The moment I stepped in, the smell of freshly cooked dinner filled the air, but it did nothing to calm me. I headed straight for the dining room, where my parents always had their dinner at this hour.

Sure enough, my mother and father were seated at the long, elegant table, enjoying a lavish meal. Crystal glasses of wine reflected the golden chandelier light, and the delicate clinking of silverware echoed in the room.

My mother looked up and smiled when she saw me. “Oh, Alicia, dear, you’re home early—”

“Save it,” I snapped, cutting her off. “Tell me what you said to Daniel.”

The room fell silent.

My father’s expression hardened, and my mother set down her fork, her smile faltering.

“Excuse me?” she said, her tone calm but laced with warning.

“You heard me.” My voice shook with anger. “What exactly did you say to him? What threats did you make?”

My father took a slow sip of his wine before answering. “Alicia, I don’t appreciate being spoken to like this.”

“And I don’t appreciate you trying to ruin my relationship!” I shot back. “You went behind my back and threatened the man I love. Do you have any idea how cruel that is?”

My mother let out a soft sigh and placed a hand over mine, as if that would calm me. “Sweetheart, we did what was best for you.”

“Best for me?” I pulled my hand away, glaring at her. “You think breaking my heart is what’s best for me?

My father finally set his glass down and leaned forward. “Alicia, Daniel is not the right man for you. He has no future, no status. You are the heir to Davenport Architects. Do you think you can just live an ordinary life with someone like him?”

I scoffed. “So this is about status? Money?”

My mother nodded slightly. “It’s about security, Alicia. You have a duty to uphold. A man like Daniel will never be able to support you in the way you deserve.”

I pushed my chair back so hard it screeched against the marble floor. “I don’t need him to support me! I love him because of who he is, not because of his wealth or power!”

My father shook his head. “Love fades, Alicia. Reality doesn’t. Do you think your lifestyle is something Daniel can provide for you? What happens when the pressure becomes too much for him? When you realize he cannot stand by your side as an equal?”

I clenched my fists, trying to control the anger rising inside me. “And what gives you the right to threaten him? To tell him you’d destroy his life if he didn’t leave me?”

My mother pursed her lips, as if my words were nothing more than childish complaints. “We only did what was necessary. Daniel understood. He knows his place, even if you refuse to see it.”

“His place?” I repeated, my voice shaking. “He is not beneath me. He is not less than me. And if you think I’ll just accept this, you’re wrong.”

My father exhaled sharply, frustration creeping into his tone. “Alicia, we have given you everything. The best education, the best opportunities, the best life. And now you want to throw it all away for some ordinary man?”

I looked him straight in the eye. I never asked for any of this if it meant giving up the person I love.”

Silence.

For the first time, I saw a flicker of uncertainty in my mother’s expression.

I swallowed hard, steadying my voice. “I’m not some asset for you to control. I make my own choices. And I choose him.”

My father stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “You will not speak to us like this, Alicia.”

“I will speak to you however I want,” I shot back. “Because I am done letting you manipulate my life.”

My mother reached for me again. “Alicia, sweetheart—”

“No,” I interrupted. “You don’t get to act like you care about my happiness when you did everything in your power to destroy it.”

I turned toward my father, my chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. “You think Daniel isn’t good enough for me? You think he’s weak because he doesn’t come from money?” I laughed bitterly. “Then you clearly don’t know what true strength looks like.”

I saw something shift in my mother’s eyes—guilt, maybe? But my father’s expression remained cold.

I shook my head. “I thought I could reason with you. But I see now that you’ll never change. And if you think you can control me, you’re wrong. I am not giving him up. No matter what you do.”

“Alicia,” my mother pleaded, her voice softer now. “Think about what you’re saying.”

“I have,” I said firmly. “And if you can’t accept my decision, then maybe I don’t belong here anymore.”

My father’s jaw clenched. “You wouldn’t dare.”

I stared at him, my heart hammering. “Watch me.”

Without another word, I turned and stormed out of the dining room. I could hear my mother calling after me, but I ignored her.

I grabbed my bag and keys, my hands trembling as I opened the front door. I needed air. I needed space.

I needed to see Daniel.

Because now, there was no doubt in my mind—he was worth fighting for. And I would fight. Even if it meant walking away from everything I had ever known.

~~~

My heart was still racing from the argument with my parents, and my mind buzzed with anger and frustration. They had no right to interfere in my life like this. They had no right to decide who I could love.

I didn't have a real destination in mind, but deep down, I knew where I wanted to go. The lake. Our lake.

It was where Daniel and I always went when we wanted to escape from the world. A quiet place where we could just be ourselves, away from expectations and responsibilities. Part of me hoped—no, needed—to see him there. To reassure myself that everything would be okay. That we could fight this together.

But as I pulled up near the lake, I saw that I wasn’t alone.

A figure sat on the bench facing the water, his posture relaxed, as if he had all the time in the world. The soft glow of the nearby streetlamp cast a faint light on his profile. I frowned, my heart sinking with disappointment when I realized it wasn’t Daniel.

“What are you doing here?”