Chapter Three

Everybody wants to shine a little bit, even a wallflower. Quote by Phyllis Smith.

April had been right as she looked around the room at her eighteenth birthday party. She couldn’t spot anyone that was truly here for her. Even her cousin Porsha, who was closest in age to her, was here to find an eligible man of their social set. April had spotted her seconds ago, hanging onto Noah’s arm, laughing up at him. As she tried to hold his attention. Well, he was free again if the media report was true. He and Willow had broken up. There had been a tearful picture of Willow posted online. The Media were calling Noah heartless.

April smoothed a hand down the side of her shift dress. She wore this type of dress often because it didn’t hug her figure at all. But already one boy had commented she looked like a sack of potatoes, making her feel very self-conscious. But she didn’t have Porsha’s tall, sexy body. She wasn’t thin with nice high boobs. She was short at 5 feet 3 and she was overweight. It wasn’t fair she ate well and often missed dessert after dinner, just trying to lose some weight.

Her father had tried to comfort April by assuring her that his mother had been just like her at that age, but the reassurance quickly faded. Her dad often mentioned how April resembled his mother in terms of appearance.

April had often stood in front of her grandmother’s painting, whom she had never met. April didn’t see how anyone could compare her to her grandmother. Her grandmother had possessed breathtaking beauty: long, straight black hair, prominent cheekbones, and captivating green eyes. Throughout her life, she had maintained a slender and graceful figure.

The only physical traits April seemed to have inherited from her grandmother were the black hair, albeit shorter, reaching her shoulders, and the green eyes. Her cheekbones were not high like her grandmother’s; instead, she had round, plump cheeks that made her face appear fuller.

April moved to the french doors that lead outside. No one would notice if she slipped away. She edged closer and closer, looking at her father, who was in conversation with some business people. She had been introduced to them, but did not know who they were to her father. Not like she really cared. His empire held little interest for her. She had little interest in joining the corporate world, leave that to people like her father and Noah.

Taking one more look around the room, April slipped outside. She hurried away from the doors. There were chairs placed around the outdoor area in case anyone wanted the fresh air.

April found a secluded spot among the chairs, away from the prying eyes and forced conversations. The cool night air brushed against her skin. She took a deep breath. Here, with no one watching, she could be herself. No one was judging her and finding her wanting.

Lost in her thoughts, April’s gaze wandered to the stars twinkling above her. Their brilliance offered a sense of hope and possibility, unlike the suffocating atmosphere inside. She yearned for something more than the superficiality that surrounded her.

The light from inside was blocked as she sensed someone standing near her and, if she was honest with herself, she had heard him coming. There was no mistaking the sound of the cane clicking across the flagstone flooring. “April, what are you doing out here? This party is for you. Everyone is inside.” April didn’t turn her head to face her father straight away at the sound of his voice.

“Dad, let’s be honest here. No one is here for me.” April said.

Her father sighed and took a seat next to her, the clicking of his cane subsiding. “April, I understand that you feel this way. I did ask you to invite some of your school friends. Plus, you grew up with some of the young people here.”

April glanced at her father, a hint of skepticism in her green eyes. She had grown up with some. They were her father's business associates children, but she wouldn’t call them friends. “Dad, most of these people are here because of your status and wealth. They’re not here for me as a person. They’re here for the image and the opportunity to network.”

Her father’s expression softened, understanding the depth of her disillusionment. “I won’t deny that some of them may have ulterior motives, but there are genuine people here, too. If you only give some of them a chance.”

April’s gaze shifted back to the stars, her voice barely a whisper. “I just... I want something more meaningful. I don’t want to be defined by your wealth. I didn’t invite anyone from school because I can’t be sure if they are truly my friends.” April knew she sounded a little paranoid, but she had seen it before. She even had one of her friends at sixteen try to flirt with her father. Talk about disgusting.

Most of the people she went to school with were wealthy, but they were not in the same class as the Harrington family. Their wealth had come from generations of Harrington’s. Each head of the family had added more wealth. April often worried about her father remarrying for a male heir, but he never did. Surprisingly, he seemed unfazed by the idea that his name could die out with her.

April wouldn’t have minded if her father had loved a woman and then remarried, but he showed no interest after her mother ran off. She just didn’t want him marrying for another child. He had turned his soul focus on raising her.

Her father placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice filled with compassion. “April, I understand trusting people is hard for you. I understand your desire for independence and authenticity. You don’t have to conform to anyone’s expectations, including mine.”

April finally turned to face her father, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “Really, Dad? You’re not going to pressure me into joining the corporate world or taking over the family business?”

He smiled gently, his love for her shining through. “Never. Your happiness and fulfillment are far more important to me than anything else. Whether you choose a different path or create your own, I’ll support you all the way.”

As April thought at her father’s words for a moment before she turned to look at him again. She needed to know. “I heard you and Noah talking in your office weeks ago, Dad. What are you planning?”

William sighed. He really didn’t want to have this conversation with April now. It was her eighteenth birthday party. “You know I haven’t been well.”

April didn’t like to think of her loving father as old, but he was. Lately he hadn’t been doing so well and the last winter had been hard on him. “Dad, you will come through this. You always have.”

April watched her father shake his head. “Not this time, pumpkin. I need an operation that only has a 10% chance of working.” William paused at April’s shock cry. He took her hand in his. “If I don’t have the operation, I will be gone quickly, but even if I survive the procedure, the doctors only give me a maximum of five years.”

April couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t imagine her life without her father in it. Which was childish of her. Her father was aging and before her eyes every day. She pulled her father’s hand into hers and held it. “Dad.” Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Hush now. I’m an old man. I would love to be here forever, to see you grow into the wonderful woman I know you to be and become a mother. But I also believe in fate and life happened just the way it was supposed to happen.” William patted her hand.

“When will you have the operation?” She knew that money wasn’t the issue, so what was holding her father up? She needed him.

“I want you to do something for me first.” William gave her a long look. Telling her without words, he expected her to do as he wished. Without argument.

“What?” but she was afraid she knew what he was about to say. She really hoped she was wrong, but April had the feeling in her gut she would be right. The conversation between her father and Noah she had overheard came to mind.

“I want you safely married before I go for the operation.” Her father’s words confirmed her fears. He wanted her to marry Noah.

Her father’s statement hung heavy in the air as April tried to process the weight of his request. The thought of getting married just to fulfill her father’s wish felt suffocating. To a man who didn’t want or love her. It didn’t matter that she loved him. His words still hurt after the weeks that had passed. She wasn’t woman enough.

April knew she couldn’t compromise her values and settle for a loveless marriage, especially after knowing her parents’ marriage hadn’t been based on love.

She knew her father had wanted a son. He had got her. She never doubted his love for her. But why was he doing this?

Noah’s disrespectful words towards her had only solidified her doubts about the intentions of those around her. April had seen firsthand how people could be deceitful and driven by ulterior motives. The idea of entrusting her future to someone who might only be interested in her family’s wealth was unsettling.

April mustered the courage to speak her mind, her voice trembling but filled with determination. “Dad, I understand that you want me to find security, but I can’t marry someone just to fulfill your wish. I want a love that is genuine and a partner who values me for who I am, not for my family’s wealth and to do what you want.” She wouldn’t lie to her father and say she didn’t have any feelings for Noah because she did. Even with the words he had spoken, she still loved him. April knew she was a fool.

Her father’s expression softened, and he nodded in understanding. “I never meant to pressure you, April, and I wouldn’t make you marry just any man. I just want you to be taken care of, if I don’t make it, and after that. Noah is a good man.”

“I’m too young to get married, Dad.” April tried a different tacked.

William eyed her, studying her for a moment before saying. “Tell me I didn’t serve the one man you wanted above all others up on a platter for you.”

April gasped softly, which was hardly auditable in the night soft breeze. She hadn’t realized she was so transparent. Had Noah realized her feelings? If he had, it would be humiliating to April for him to know how she felt about him when he didn’t think much of her. But he was willing to marry her for her father’s money or her father wouldn’t have mentioned marriage now. So Noah had taken the bait or carrot. Whatever her father had dangled in front of his face.

William added. “I could have got you any man, but I got you the one you wanted most.”

Yes, the Harrington money could buy anyone, but it couldn’t buy love. Thought April.

Noah was heading outside to grab some fresh air. He could feel the noose tightening around his neck with every hour that passed. As he reached the doors that led outside, he stopped when he heard William talking and with his next words; he realized he was talking to April.

“Tell me I didn’t serve the one man you wanted above all others up on a platter for you.” There was a pause before he added. “I could have got you any man, but I got you the one you wanted most.” It was at those words the Noah saw red. He didn’t hear anymore of the conversation between father and daughter. All this time he had thought April was innocent of her father's schemes, but she had been the one to hand pick him for the role as her husband.

His mind filled with a seething anger. He should have guessed there was something fishy about the proposal, but now it was crystal clear. How else was William going to get April to the altar unless April had been a part of this plan all along, willingly playing her part to please her father? And herself.

The thought of being used made Noah’s blood boil. So she wanted him, did she? Well, she may get him to marry her because he had no other choice, but he would never be her husband. As soon as the old man was dead, he would divorce the little bitch.

She was no better than Ashley. Noah moved away so they wouldn’t see him. They would not find out about his intent until the time was right.

“Dad, I don’t want to force anyone to marry me. Please don’t make me do this,” April pleaded.

“Baby, I love you and if I’m gone, I want to know someone will be here to protect you from the hounds. Your cousins and also low life men will come out of the woodwork only after your money.”

April let out a low, self-mocking laugh. “But isn’t that what you are setting me up for? I heard him dad. I know what he thinks of me.”

“That was anger talking. He will come around.” William reassured her.

She didn’t want to marry him and was about to tell her father, but before she could, he spoke again.

“If you don’t marry him April, I will not go for this much needed operation and then I will surely be dead soon.”

That statement stopped her short. She couldn’t voice it now. That she wouldn’t marry him. Her father meant too much to her. “Dad please. Don’t say that.” Tears fell down her face. She saw William’s expression soften for a second before he shook his head.

“My mind is made up. You will marry Noah in two days’ time or I won’t get the treatment I need.”