CHAPTER TWO: YOUR MARRIAGE HAS BEEN ARRANGED

Sunlight streamed through the edges of the heavy curtains, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. Leah stirred beneath the sheets, the remnants of sleep clinging to her like a second skin. Her body ached, the telltale signs of the night before still pulsing through her muscles. As she slowly regained consciousness, a sharp awareness settled over her, and she realized she wasn't alone in bed. Or, at least, she hadn't been.

Her eyes fluttered open, the rich, dark décor of the room coming into focus. The bed beside her was empty, the sheets rumpled and cold. A dull ache settled in her chest as she scanned the room, searching for any sign of the man from last night. Nothing.

She blinked away the lingering haze of sleep, her body tense with the memory of his touch, his silence, the way his eyes had seared into her soul. But now, he was gone, as if he had never existed, leaving behind only the faint scent of his cologne that clung to the sheets. The room felt cold, empty.

Leah sat up, pulling the sheets tightly around her naked form, her heart pounding. Her head spun with the events of the night before. She had given herself to a stranger-her first time, no less-and now, in the harsh light of day, the weight of that decision pressed down on her like a crushing force.

Her gaze drifted to the floor, where her clothes lay scattered haphazardly. A rush of embarrassment and regret flooded her chest. What had she done? What had she become in just one night?

For a brief moment, she considered waiting, hoping the mysterious man might return. But deep down, she knew he wouldn't. He had used her and left her without a word. Her chest tightened at the thought, a bitter taste forming in her mouth. She had been nothing but a release for him-a means to an end. And now, she had to face the consequences of her choices.

Steeling herself, Leah slipped out of bed, the cool air hitting her bare skin as she gathered her discarded clothes. She quickly dressed, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the buttons of her blouse. She glanced at herself in the mirror, her reflection pale and disheveled. The faint bruises on her neck, the telltale marks of his passion, stood out starkly against her skin. Hickeys. They were undeniable proof of her night with a stranger.

Shaking off the remnants of her turmoil, Leah left the room, her mind racing. She couldn't bear the thought of what awaited her at home, but she had no choice. She had to face it.

As soon as Leah stepped through the front doors of the house, she could feel the tension in the air. Vivian was waiting. Her stepmother's sharp, judgmental eyes landed on Leah the moment she walked in, narrowing with suspicion and venom. Natasha stood nearby, feigning disinterest, but Leah could see the anticipation glimmering in her stepsister's gaze. They had been waiting for this moment, eager to tear her down.

"You!" Vivian's voice sliced through the air like a whip. She stormed toward Leah, her expression twisted in contempt. "Where the hell have you been?"

Leah swallowed, her mouth dry. She couldn't find the words to explain herself, and even if she could, they wouldn't matter. Her stepmother had already made up her mind. The truth didn't matter here.

Before Leah could respond, Vivian's hand shot out, slapping her hard across the face. The sharp sting burned her cheek, but it was the shame that hurt more. Her head snapped to the side, her vision blurring for a moment as tears welled up in her eyes.

"You little whore!" Vivian spat, her voice dripping with malice. "Do you think you can just run off in the middle of the night and disgrace this family? Look at you-look at the marks on your neck! You've been with some man, haven't you? You disgust me."

Leah's heart hammered in her chest, panic rising. "I... I didn't-" she stammered, but her words were drowned out by Vivian's venomous tirade.

Natasha stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "What will Father say when he hears about this?" she asked, her voice sickly sweet. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know his precious daughter is nothing more than a common slut."

Vivian smirked, crossing her arms. "Oh, don't worry. He'll know soon enough. And when he does, there will be consequences. I'll make sure of it."

Leah's heart sank. She knew exactly what that meant. Vivian had always controlled her father, twisting his thoughts, manipulating him with her lies. Leah had no defense against it. Her father never listened to her.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Leah tried to defend herself, her voice trembling with the weight of her shame and fear.

But Vivian wasn't having any of it. "Save your excuses, Leah. I know exactly what you've been up to. The man I hired called me this morning. He told me everything. Do you hear that?" She leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper. "He told me how you let him use you. How you gave yourself to him like the whore you are."

Leah's blood ran cold. The man... the one Vivian had hired. She remembered him now-the one who had tried to approach her, who had cornered her in the hall. She had fought him off, managing to escape his grasp before he could lay a hand on her. But he must have lied to Vivian, claiming he had done the deed, Vivian must not have known that she slept with a different.

Leah's stomach churned with disgust. How could he lie like that? And now, her stepmother believed every word.

Vivian's eyes gleamed with cruel delight, and her lips curled in a smirk "You've ruined yourself, Leah. No man will ever want you now. But don't worry. I've already spoken to your father, and we've come to a decision. We'll salvage what little dignity you have left."

Leah's heart pounded. "What are you talking about?"

Vivian's smile was cold, triumphant. "Your father has arranged a marriage for you. To Mr. Hargrove."

Leah's blood turned to ice. "What? No. You can't be serious."

"Oh, but we are," Vivian said, her voice sickly sweet. "You're going to marry him. It's the only way to save this family from the disgrace you've brought upon us. He's a respectable man, wealthy, with a solid reputation. It doesn't matter that he's been married five times before. You'll be his sixth. He's willing to overlook your... indiscretions."

Leah's world tilted on its axis. Her father had agreed to this? He was willing to marry her off to some sixty-year-old man to save face? The horror of it crashed over her like a tidal wave, suffocating her.

"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I won't do it."

Vivian's smile widened, the glint of triumph in her eyes sharp enough to cut. "You don't have a choice."