Chapter 6

**Darlington Briggs**

I woke up in my bedroom to the fresh start of a brand new day—New Year's Day. I was so excited as I wanted to go downstairs to inform my parents officially that I wanted to get married this year, and I had made up my mind to settle down with Jenna Colton.

Jenna has been my love for the past five years. I met her through her older brother, Bruce, who was my best friend in school.

We studied the same business course and lived in Country Z, in the heart of the city. The Colton family was also wealthy and well-known here.

Jenna has a successful career as an actress and model and has been the face of many brands.

I knew that she had undergone several surgeries to enhance her beauty, but I still loved her nonetheless.

I loved Jenna very much and didn't regret my decision to propose to her last weekend.

My father didn't react to my post, and to make matters worse, I couldn't seem to find him online after the news of my engagement to Jenna went viral.

It seemed my father had purposely blocked me so he wouldn't have to see my posts about Jenna again.

He had warned me to stop posting about her, but Jenna is the woman after my heart.

How could I not post about the love of my life? Not doing so would feel like I was cheating on her.

I loved Jenna deeply; she was like the air I breathed. I could not live without her. I told her that every time, and I knew that Jenna was hesitant about accepting my engagement ring. But she knew I had always wanted us to settle down.

I had assured Jenna not to worry about my father, promising her I would speak to him about accepting our marriage.

Jenna had told me she wasn't ready for marriage yet and had many things to accomplish in her modeling career. She asked if I could wait for her, but I assured her I wouldn't stop her from fulfilling her dreams just because she would be my wife.

I had supported her since we started dating, and I was still supporting her now.

I got out of bed and prepared to go downstairs to inform my father about my new decision to marry.

My father detested Jenna and had warned me to stay away from her. He even suggested I tell her not to find me at my office or workspace, but I couldn’t do that. I loved Jenna very much, and I meant every word I said when confessing my feelings to her.

I entered my bathroom. My room was vast enough to fit more than three luxury beds with plenty of space to spare.

After finishing my bath, I glanced at the time—it was after 9 a.m. I had woken up late because we had a crossover night celebration at home on New Year's Eve.

I was with my family, waiting to witness the fireworks and celebrate the start of a new year.

I couldn't wait to become a father soon. I knew Jenna was scared of getting pregnant, but I wanted to marry her and assure her that I would always be there for her.

I entered my closet and picked out a purple shirt and black trousers. I put them on and combed my short black hair.

I liked to keep my hair smooth, so I let it grow out slightly. Once I finished combing my hair, I applied my masculine perfume to smell fresh, just like the New Year's Day.

I slipped on my black slippers and finally exited my bedroom on the top floor of my father's enormous mansion. We lived in a standard duplex home, which consisted of eight rooms, a living room downstairs, a kitchen, and other guest rooms.

My father's mansion was massive because he had designed it and instructed the constructors on how it should be built.

Jenna had mentioned that she didn’t like visiting me at my parents' home, knowing my father disapproved of her. I planned to buy a new house to move into, just like Bruce did. But when I told my mother I planned on buying my own home, she frowned and said it was too early for me to live alone.

"Unless you want to live a wayward life, Darlington, I don't think it's necessary until you have a child," she said. When my father married her, they lived in my grandpa's house in the countryside before my father had money and moved to the city.

According to my mother, I shouldn't move out until I had a child or two; then, I could leave my father's house.

Well, this didn’t sit well with Jenna, but I promised her that I would get a house for her once we married.

I walked downstairs into the living room, where my father was alone. He sat on the black couch, wearing a white robe as if he hadn't taken his bath yet.

He was going through some files, and I approached him to greet him.

"Good morning, Father," I said. He paused what he was reading and looked at me.

He took off his spectacles, which were perfectly perched on the bridge of his nose, and put them in their case. He looked back at me, a warm smile creeping onto his face as he replied to my greeting, "Good morning, Darlington. Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Dad. Where is Mom?" I inquired.

"She's upstairs, still in her room. You know we slept late last night," my dad replied.

"I know, Dad," I said, sitting across from him.

"Yes, Darlington. That reminds me. I wanted to tell you about this yesterday night, but I decided to wait," my dad said.

"What's it, Dad?" I asked, looking at his face.

He sighed and said, "Your wife, Amara Nicholas, is coming to the city today to start living with us, and to be with you."

"What!" I exclaimed in utter disbelief.