Chapter 4

Elena’s POV:

“What? No! Dad, you can't do this to me!" I protested. My heart raced as the reality of his words sank in. I felt a huge lump in my throat.

My dad stood there, unmoved, and listened to my objections. 

"Elena, we don't have a choice," he replied, his voice firm. "This is for the good of the family. You've left me no other option," he stated.

I started panting, and tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably. My chest rose and fell as my breathing increased, and I began gasping for air.

“No! I can talk to Caleb. We can fix this. What about my dreams? My goals? Mr. Coleman already stated earlier that his son needed to get an heir so that he could hand over the company to him. What does that make me? A baby-making machine? Why will I get married to a crippled man?” I protested. 

“Don’t you…” My dad cuts in, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath before speaking again. “You are going to marry Nicklaus Coleman this morning, whether you like it or not,” he said angrily.

“I don't know or care about your decision, but I stand by my words. I won't marry him. This is my life, and I am done pleasing you, Father. Even if it means me going against your wish,” I responded angrily and wiped my tears with the back of my palms.

I was shattered. I felt a sharp pain in my heart, as if a knife had pierced through it. I sniffed and tried to pull myself together. 

“Fix yourself up. You don't want to keep the guests waiting for too long,” he stated, making his way to the door.

“Father? Father!” I called, screaming at the top of my voice. I stared at him as he walked out on me. 

My father walked out and closed the door. I sat on the bed and bowed my head. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I cried bitterly. 

I heard a knock on the door, but I was too hurt to know who it was. The door was swung open, and Aunt Lily walked into the room with Zoey. She sat on the bed and patted me on the back.

“Elena, darling. I'm sorry everything turned out this way. My brother just made the announcement. I believe you, and I know that you won't do something like this. But Caleb is gone for good. He made up his mind, and there's nothing we can do.” She spoke softly.

Her words made tears gather in my eyes again, and they rolled down my cheeks continuously. 

She paused for a moment before speaking up again. “I know this is not how you planned your wedding to turn out, but you have to listen to your father. Do this for him and for the company. My brother, your father built that company with his sweat. He can't lose it now and risk going to jail,” she stated.

“Believe me, everything is going to work out well with time.” Her voice was low and trembled slightly. I knew she was hurt by this whole drama as well. 

Aunt Lily has always been a good woman to me, even when my stepmother treated me like I was a nobody. She had always been there to support me every time I was facing any difficulty. She has been more of a mother to me than my stepmother would be. 

She wiped the tears from my face, and I hugged her tightly.

I looked up at her with an unreadable expression. My mind was blank, and I didn't know what to do. But her words gave me comfort. 

I tried to understand my aunt. I know that I have lived my life doing all that my father desires; I have no choice but to get married to whomever he desires.

My father can't survive diabetes and heart problems in jail. He will lose his life, and my family will be left with nothing. I know that I have to give up my happiness again for the sake of my family. 

I smiled at my aunt as I tried to understand all she had said. 

“I will do it,” I mentioned. “It’s not like I have a choice.” I chuckled with a heavy heart.

Aunt Lily cupped my face and kissed my forehead. “I will be with you with every step you take. I love you so much,” she said, her voice trembling. 

“You have to fix up. You don’t want the guest to see you this way, my princess.” She flattered me, and I lightly chuckled. 

“Elena, I just want you to know that I love you,” she said. 

Zoey held my hands and squeezed them gently. “You will be fine, I promise you. I love you so much, Elena, and I will never leave you. I will be with you at every step you take,” she said. 

Zoey and my aunt cheered me up and called in the stylist. “Let's get you all glammed up.” 

My face was retouched, and my hair was fixed. I managed to force a smile on my face even though I was dying inside of me.

“You will walk down the aisle looking like the most beautiful woman in the world. Everything will be alright, my darling.” My aunt spoke as she stared at me in the mirror.

Zoey hugged me tightly. “You will be fine. Just know that I love you so much.”

“Thank you so much,” I whispered, forcing a smile on my face. 

Nicklaus’ POV:

I left my house for my father's house after spending a lot of time at the club last night. It's a good thing I didn't get drunk.

I sat in my father’s study, going through some files concerning the multibillion-dollar project he is currently working on. I have always loved to be a part of the project, but my father denied me the right to do so.

I am very ambitious. Even though I own my own company, I would like my father to pass all his enterprises to me so that I can become the richest man in the whole world.

I carefully studied the project when the door to the study was swung open, making me look in the direction of the door.

“Son, it’s a good thing you’re still here. I’ve got great news for you.” My dad voiced out as he barged into the room with so much excitement in his face.

“Oh! What’s that about?” I asked, dropping the files on the table. My attention was directed to my father.

“You’re getting married today.” He responded,

“Today?” I chuckled lightly. “You must be pulling my legs.” I looked up at him, waiting for him to spill, but he kept mute.

His face looked serious, and I could sense that he wasn’t joking.

“Mr. Williams has accepted my proposal. You are getting married to his daughter, Elena.” His voice was filled with so much excitement.

My jaw clenched, and my heart pounded hard against my chest.

“Dad, you know I’m not ready to get married. Why can’t you just hand over your enterprises to me without these rules?” I asked, and my facial expression hardened.

“If you are interested in taking part in this project and having me hand over my entire company to you, then you will do as I have said. You must get married and produce an heir. That will make you responsible for once in your life.” He spoke loudly, pointing to the file lying on the table.

“What makes you think she will make a great wife? I already have someone that I think would make the perfect wife for me.” I answered back, picking up the files and going through the pages. I was trying to make him understand that I wasn’t interested.

“Hey, young man. I have made a good choice for you, and you better appreciate that. What do you know about women?” he asked.

“Well, they are giving their daughter out in marriage because of their selfish reasons. That family is full of golddiggers. They are just interested in saving their bankrupt company.” I mentioned.

“Watch your tone, young man. I agreed to help them on my terms. At least she would give me a grandchild.” My dad voiced out, his voice firm.

“If you want to be the CEO of all my enterprises, you will marry her, and that’s final. I’m tired of you messing around with all those women.”

My eyes were fixed on him. I know that I’ve always known that my father wanted me to get married and produce an heir before he handed over his wealth to me, but I didn’t know the marriage deal would be so soon.

“Now get dressed. Don’t keep the bride and the guest waiting.” He spoke and left the room.