Chapter - [ 2 ]

[ Claire ]

 “What are you saying, Mr. Ryan? She isn’t good enough to be your wife. Please, marry my younger daughter Mia. She is good in everything.” Dad tried to plaster a smile on his while I prayed for the same.

I had been planning to leave this house as soon as I save enough money to settle down far from my family.

Mia’s eyes welled up with tears, “Ryan, don’t do this to me. You don’t know anything about my sister. She’s a bitch of low character, she always snatches my happiness. Five years ago, she did the same and God punished her. She hasn’t good grades as well and look at her fashion sense.” Mia blabbered to Ryan but I had to wince when she lied about my grades.

It was all a lie. I never had a love affair.

“I don’t need to hear about my future wife from you, Mia. She is beautiful and not to mention intelligent who doesn’t spend money on buying unnecessary things. I like her.” Ryan said but I wasn’t driven by his praises. His intentions were hideous.

“Mr. Ryan, please try to understand. We’ll regret this union. You don’t know anything about my daughter.” Dad said very calmly but I knew he was far from being calm and I have to bear the consequences later.

“I’ll marry Claire or there’s no partnership, choose wisely, Mr. Jones.” Ryan said and went away.

“You bitch! You have the habit of ruining your siblings’ happiness. You always eye everything I like.” Mia charged towards me and pushed so hard that I lost my balance and hit the pillar. A sharp pain shot through my forehead.

“Mia, I swear I have no interest in marrying Ryan Bale.” I whispered but their glaring eyes were my answer.

“Clean yourself and join us during the announcement. If Ryan wants to marry you, you must marry him. End of discussion.” Saying his final words, my father stormed out.

“Mom, please convince Dad. I really like Ryan Bale and he is the second richest man in the city.” Mia cried in front of our mother whose eyes softened when she looked at her crying daughter.

I wish she could also see my pain, my deepest emotional wounds.

“I’ll try to talk to him once this party will be over, honey. Don’t cry, my baby girl. You’ll be the one to marry Ryan Bale. This time, she won't  come between you and your happiness like before." Mom hugged her while shooting daggers at me.

“Claire, Dad wants you at the stage and please conceal those marks.” My brother cleared his throat who came to remind us that I was ready to be sacrificed to satiate their gains.

“You’re curse for our family.” Mia hissed while walking past me, our mother followed right after her.

I was left alone. I tried to be strong many times but fail because they leave unrepairable damage on my soul.

“You can’t fall weak, Claire. They have no right to decide your future.” I wiped my tears and made firm mind about what I had to do next. Ryan Bale was a despicable man, I could tell by meeting for a brief period. Mia wants his money and luxurious life, she could have it.

I retouched my make-up and concealed the red print on my cheek. It was a reminder that I’d never be accepted by my family no matter how much I try. I walked over the stage and stood beside my brother while Ryan came and stood by my side with a sly smirk, lust was clearly visible in his eyes. He was drunk. My body shuddered when he placed his hand on my waist, his grip was tight. My father took the microphone and cleared his throat to grab his guests’ attention.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sorry that I am interrupting you from enjoying this beautiful evening but I can’t hold my excitement.” Dad was brilliant at showing fake expressions.

“Wait for this party to be over, Claire and then I’ll make you pay for ruining my shirt.” Ryan whispered in my ear. My blood froze when his hidden meaning sank into me.

“Tonight, I am feeling very delighted to announce my partnership with the most successful young man of this city, Ryan Bale who is also going to be my son-in-law. He and my elder daughter Claire Jones will marry in the next month.” Dad made the most horrible announcement with pride.

The guests were shocked at first but then they applauded for my family’s happiness. Ryan pushed us forward and before I could process anything, he knelt in front of me and took out a ring.

“Claire Jones, will you marry me and give me a chance to love and cherish an amazing woman like you?” He smiled sweetly but only I could see the maliciousness behind the mask.

The guests cheered for us.

It’s a do or die situation for me.

“Claire?” Dad warned me in a sweet voice.

“No, I can’t.”

Finally, I mustered up my courage and became a black sheep for my family for the last time because I chose myself over their selfishness.

Ryan’s face hardened. He was clearly taken aback by my rejection. The hall fell ghostly silent as the lights turned on.

“Claire, what are you saying?” My father yanked my forearm and gave me the deadliest glare. The façade was slowing wearing off.

I turned around to face my family, the mortified looks on their faces was my satisfaction.

“Yes, Dad. You heard me right. I can’t snatch my sister’s happiness. She loves Mr. Bale and I know she’ll keep him happy.” I said. Mia’s face lit up like a hundred watt bulb and she tried to shift close to Ryan.

“Don’t test my patience, Claire and say to everyone that you were only pranking otherwise you’ll regret the consequences.” Dad hissed in inaudible whisper.

“Mr. Jones, what kind of a sick joke is this? You invited me and proposed an offer for collaboration just to humiliate me in front of everyone.” Ryan’s face was red in embarrassment.

“I am sorry for the misunderstanding which happened here, Mr. Ryan. My daughter looks overwhelmed. Please, forgive her. Claire, tell him that you’ll marry him.” Dad gripped my wrist and gave me a silent warning, my wrist hurt by the force he implied.

“I won’t apologize, Dad. He is the one who wants this marriage and you but not me. I am tired of being a puppet of others' wishes. I am trying  to know myself, this oblivious life is hard and challenging for me but you all remind me of the mistakes I made in past and ai even don't  remember them." I yanked my hand out of his grip. He left stunned by my first outburst.

The guests began to whisper, clearly, they were enjoying the family drama of Jones.

“You’ll regret this, Claire Jones and this time, no knight will come to save you like the past.” A wreathing Ryan pointed his finger at me with menacing eyes but I was scared of him. He then turned towards my father and Caleb, “Meet me in my office tomorrow. I’ll show your grounds.” Saying this, he left the party.

My father finally lost his temper and slapped me on my cheek once again in front of all the people.

“Why did you do this, Claire? We ignored your mistakes, your rebellious behaviour all these years because we love you and you paid us like this?” Dad started the second phase of his damage control by portraying me as the bad girl.

People gave me accusing stares.

“Mia sacrificed her love for your happiness but you ridiculed us, Claire. Why?” Mom cried, adding fuel to the blazing fire.

“Enough!” Caleb roared, his face contoured with rage.

He never hurt me directly but this time, I saw madness in his eyes as he took predatory steps towards me. He grabbed my forearm and started dragging me out of our house.

“You made fun of our family, ruined my most important, Claire. From this moment onwards, you’re no longer a part of Jones family. You have made us suffer since you were born, in last few years, you made it worse and you don't  have a fucking idea." He yelled, exploding all his frustration. 

My eyes widened as soon as his words sank in my brain. He was kicking me out of our house with nothing and only because I refused to obey them. 

“No! Please, leave me, Caleb. I have nowhere to go.” I cried and tried to free myself but there was no use.

He pushed me out of the main gates. It was drizzling outside but those paparazzi were capturing everything. My dignity was tarnished in front of the whole world.

I looked at my family for the last time with teary eyes but the hard faces were enough to silence my emotions.

“Go to hell, Claire. I hope we don’t have to see your face again.” My father said and the gates were closed on my face.