Chapter Four

Silence fills the room as I look at my father, anticipating what he is about to say. He takes a deep breath and says, "Raphael Stevenson's son."

I look at my father in disbelief, too stunned to speak. Trying to be sure, I ask, "Raphael Stevenson's son? The same Raphael Stevenson who is my boss?"

He nods without saying a word.

I don't want to jump to conclusions yet; it could be another Stevenson that I am not familiar with. So I ask, "And what's his son's name?" Still struggling to accept the unexpected news, I wait for his reply.

Looking pale, my dad answers, "His name is Joshua Stevenson."

Hearing his name makes my heart sink even further, my eyes widening as if I hadn't heard correctly. I need to double-check. "Dad, wait a minute! So, you're saying that I, Harper Cole, have to marry Joshua?"

"Yes, Harp," he confirms.

"He doesn't like me! He always tries to control my emotions and makes me feel like I'm not good enough!" I cry out in frustration, feeling crushed.

Josh is the last person I would want to marry. He treats me inadequately, making me doubt my abilities at work. The idea of spending my life with him feels like a terrible punishment that I don't want to be part of.

With pleading eyes, I turn to my dad and ask, "Is there something else that can be done?"

"I'm afraid not," he says firmly, leaving no room for questioning.

Angry and upset, I storm out of the living room and head to my bedroom. The thought is heavy on me. I grab my pillow and cry uncontrollably, feeling a weight pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

The thought of being forced into a marriage, especially with someone I barely know, seems unbearable. The idea of spending my life with a stranger is impossible to accept. Frequently, I hear my dad knocking on my door, pleading for me to open up, expressing his guilt, and desperately wishing for another solution. My mom and Ava also beg me to come out, to talk, and to share my feelings.

The following day, emotionally drained, I go downstairs without uttering a word to anyone. In the kitchen, I serve myself some food while my mom and Ava watch me in silence. My father has left for his business trips as usual.

My mom hugs me tightly from behind, tears flowing down her face. Seeing her cry, I feel weak, knowing I need to comfort her. I turn around and hug her without saying a word.

I open up and share my fears and frustrations with my mom, and she listens. "But, Mom, you can't stand by and watch this happen to me. You know how I've always talked about my happily ever after in marriage."

"I'm not in support either," she admits.

"Really?" My face lights up.

"Yes, whatever your decision, I'll support you."

I am thrilled to hear my mom say she isn't in support of the arranged marriage. We discuss it at length, and after our long conversation, we come up with a plan.

I ready myself for work, determined not to give in to my father's demands because I can't imagine being trapped in a marriage I didn't choose. As I settle into my work routine, my phone buzzes with an incoming call. It's my dad. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves and pick up the call.

"Hi, Dad."

"How are you, my baby girl?"

"Just okay... I'm at work," I reply, my tone weary.

"I just wanted to hear your voice," he says, guilt obvious in his voice.

I smile while rolling my eyes and respond, "I'm fine."

I know my father loves me and wants what is best for me, but this arranged marriage is suffocating. There is no chance of finding true love on my terms.

I end the call and stare at the phone, shaking my head at the numerous thoughts running through it. How can I face Josh with the constant reminder of the arranged marriage looming over us? I make sure to cut off all one-on-one meetings with Josh. I know taking such a step could have repercussions, but I don't care.

He goes about his job as if there is no care in the world. I have a feeling Josh is still oblivious to the arranged marriage. The thought of marrying him weighs heavily on my heart. I know I have to make a difficult decision to leave town before he finds out the truth. I can't bear to see his expression when he realizes my decision to avoid him is connected to our predetermined future.

Amelia is a great friend everyone should have. She respects my boundaries and has been attending meetings in my place. Her willingness to step in brings relief and a bit of sanity to my well-being. I am grateful for her understanding and the way she acknowledges my need for space. To my surprise, Josh doesn't question or protest Amelia's presence at the meetings. He is surprisingly understanding as well.

I continue with my tasks at work and send Josh an email about an urgent matter that requires his immediate attention. Waiting for a response feels like an eternity. I glance anxiously at my computer screen, tapping my feet impatiently. Is he ignoring my message? Does he think the matter is unimportant? Or is he too preoccupied with other pressing issues to give my email the attention it deserves? The minutes on, and doubt and worry start to creep in.

I repeatedly refresh my inbox, hoping to find any form of a new message from Josh. But there is none. With Amelia out on assignments outside the building, I can't wait any longer. I make my way toward his office, determined to address the matter in person. Even though I haven't been in his office for a long time, I refuse to let that deter me.

As I near his office, my heart pounds with the thought of his reaction when he sees me. I know this moment requires strength and conviction. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. As usual, I enter his office without knocking. I am surprised at the scene before my eyes. I freeze in my tracks, not knowing what to do. The silence in the room is heavy, suffocating me.