70. Clarissa

It's been three weeks since I separated from Jalen and my dad had been on my case for weeks now, pressuring me to marry Ivan, and I'd finally had enough.

"Dad, I can't believe you're making me marry someone who's cheating on me," I said, my voice rising in anger and my hands on my hips as I stood toe-to-toe with my dad determined not to back down. "I don't love Ivan, and I never will. He's a cheat and a liar, and I won't waste my life with someone like that."

My dad's face reddened with frustration, his eyes blazing as he pounded his fist on the table between us. "You'll do as I say, young lady," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I've invested a lot of time and money into this match, and I won't let your foolish emotions ruin everything."

"It's not foolish emotions," I replied, my anger boiling over. "It's basic common sense. I can't spend the rest of my life with someone who doesn't respect me or our relationship, plus we're in love with different people so what's the point?"

"Re