CHAPTER ONE

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the elegant drawing room of the Graham estate. Felicia Rose Graham stood at the center of the room, her fiery red hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. Her emerald-green eyes were ablaze with defiance as she faced her father, Sir Charles Graham.

"I will not marry Raphael Gallagher!" Felicia's voice quivered with anger and determination. She was not a girl to be trifled with, and her father knew it. "I refuse to be a pawn in this farce of an arranged marriage!"

Sir Charles Graham, a stern man with graying temples, clenched his fists in frustration. He had always prided himself on his unyielding resolve, but his daughter's obstinacy tested even his patience. "Felicia, you must understand. The Gallagher family is one of the most respected in the country, and this union will secure our family's future."

Felicia, her chest heaving with emotion, took a step closer to her father. "But I don't love him, Father," she implored, her voice softening. "I cannot imagine spending the rest of my life with a man I barely know, let alone care for."

Her father, regarded her with a solemn expression. "Felicia," he began, his deep voice resonating in the room, "marriage is not just about individual happiness. It's about securing our family's legacy."

Felicia's gaze remained unwavering, her determination unyielding. "But what legacy are we securing if it's based on a lie, Father? I can't marry a man I don't love."

Her father's face hardened, and his voice took on an edge of anger. "You will marry Raphael Gallagher, Felicia, even if I have to drag you to the altar myself."

Felicia couldn't contain her frustration. "Is that what our family has become? A legacy built on empty promises and loveless unions?"

William's jaw tightened as he confronted his daughter's stubbornness. "Our family is built on sacrifice and responsibility. We must do what is necessary to preserve our name and standing."

Tears welled up in Felicia's eyes, but she fought them back. "I don't want to be a pawn in this game, Father. I want a chance at true happiness, not a life bound by tradition."

Her father's anger gave way to a deep sadness. "Felicia, I understand your feelings, but sometimes, we must make difficult choices for the greater good of our family."

Sir Charles' jaw tightened, and he turned to gaze out the window, his hands trembling. He had faced countless challenges as a successful businessman, but his daughter's rebellion was rapidly becoming The hardest to overcome

. "Love is not the only foundation for a marriage, Felicia," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "It is a luxury that many cannot afford. Your mother and I had an arranged marriage, and over time, we learned to love each other."

Felicia's frustration deepened. She had heard this story too many times, and it filled her with resentment. "But this is the twenty-first century, Father! We have choices, and I refuse to be shackled to a man I do not choose." She spat out.

Sir Charles turned to face her once more, his eyes hardening. "Enough of this defiance, Felicia. The decision is final. You will marry Raphael Gallagher, and that is the end of it." He concluded sternly his voice holding no room for further argument.

Felicia's face flushed with anger, her voice trembling as she spoke through gritted teeth. "I will not. I will never marry him, Father."

"Please, both of you, let us not allow anger to cloud our judgment," Lady Amelia pleaded, her soft voice barely audible amid the fierce standoff.

Sir Charles and Felicia continued their stare-down, neither willing to yield an inch. The room crackled with the intensity of their conflict.

Seeing as she couldn't get through to her father Felicia turned to face her mother, her eyes filled with desperation. She begged her mother with a quiver in her voice, "Mother, you have always been the voice of reason, the bridge between our hearts. Please, I beg you, talk to Father. Make him understand that I cannot accept this loveless marriage. You must help me change his mind." She pleaded earnestly.

Lady Amelia's gaze shifted from her daughter to her husband, Sir Charles, who stood there with a stern countenance, unwavering in his resolve. With a heavy sigh, she took a step closer to Felicia, her eyes brimming with empathy.

"Please, Mother," her voice trembling with emotion, "I've heard the rumors about Raphael Gallagher. People say he's achieved everything through brutal means, things we can't even imagine. To a man like this, women and family would never be something he truly value. I can't believe you would watch as father is essentially selling me off, using marriage as a disguise to that... that monster."

Lady Amelia's brow furrowed with concern as she considered her daughter's words. "Felicia, rumors can be exaggerated, and we mustn't jump to conclusions based on hearsay." She stated

 "I promise you this: I will do everything within my power to ensure your happiness and safety. We will find a way to address these concerns,We have negotiated with his family, and there will be conditions in place to protect you." Her mother replied cupping her face.

Felicia's tear brimmed eyes started rolling down her cheek as she responded, "But Mother, it's not just about protecting me. What about love? What about happiness? Are those not things that matter in a marriage?

"My beautiful daughter," Lady Amelia began, tucking a strand of Felicia's hair behind her ear. her voice carrying the weight of years spent in a marriage bound by duty. " you must understand that your father's decision is not one he has made lightly. It's a decision he believes is necessary for our family's honor and prosperity."

Felicia's eyes widened with an incredulous expression as she gazed at her mother, her heart heavy with disappointment. stepping away from her mother as if she were a creature she had never seen before.

 "I will only marry for love," she declared, In a voice trembling with resolve, her gaze unwavering. "I would sooner marry Raphael Gallagher over my dead body, even if he were the next CEO of Gallagher corporation."

As soon as she made that statement her father in a sudden fit of fury lashed out with his face contorted with anger.He slapped Felicia's cheek, hard "You will do no such thing!" he thundered.

Felicia, her cheeks stinging from the slap, glared at her father with tears in her eyes. "I hate you!" she shouted before turning and running up the grand staircase, her sobs echoing through the silent halls of the Graham estate.