Chapter 1

Amelia stood in front of her dad, tears streaming down her cheeks as she yelled at him. 

"You can't just marry me off like that. I'm not some kind of property to be traded! I have feelings and dreams of my own. I won't let you just throw them away." 

Mr. Tate stood there, his face impassive, as he listened to her outburst passively. With the look in his eyes, he wasn't budging.

"Amelia, you know how important this marriage is for our family. Your mother and I have already agreed to it, and the wedding is set in stone," he said calmly.

"I don't care! I won't do it, and I won't marry someone I don't love just because it's convenient for you," she screamed, her voice breaking.

Mr. Tate sighed heavily. "You're being selfish, Amelia. This isn't just about you; it's about our entire family and our future. "You need to understand that."

Amelia was beyond reasoning. She had always been a dutiful daughter, but she was drawing the line this time. She couldn't sacrifice her happiness for the sake of family duty.

"I won't do it; I won't be a part of this arranged marriage," she yelled, sobbing.

Her dad just looked at her, his eyes sad but resolute. "I'm sorry, Amelia, but this is the way it has to be." And with that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving her standing there, heartbroken and alone.

Amelia lay on her bed with tears streaming down her face. Her dad was marrying her off to save their family from going bankrupt, and there was nothing she could do about it.

She was meant to elope with her boyfriend, Henry, tonight to start a new life together, away from the expectations and obligations of their families. But now, those plans were shattered. She was being forced into a loveless marriage, and there was no escape.

She felt so betrayed, not just by her dad but by her boyfriend too. She had told him about the arranged marriage, and he had promised to help her run away. But now, he was nowhere to be found. 

She tried calling him, but his phone was turned off. She felt a sharp pain in her chest as she felt abandoned and left to face her nightmare alone.

The thought of being tied to someone she didn't love for the rest of her life was unbearable. She had always dreamed of finding her soulmate, of being with someone who loved her for who she was. But now those dreams were gone, and she was being forced into a life she didn't want.

She cried until no more tears were left, and she lay on her bed feeling exhausted and numb. And then, she heard a soft knock at her door.

"Amelia? Are you okay?" It was her mom; her voice was filled with concern.

She wiped her eyes and sat up, trying to compose herself. "I'm fine, Mom, just a little overwhelmed, I guess."

Mrs. Tate came forward and sat beside her on the bed, putting her arm around her. "I know this is hard, sweetheart, but your father and I are doing what we think is best for our family."

Amelia nodded, knowing that she was right. But it still didn't make any sense or make it any easier.

"I just wish things could have been different," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes again.

Mrs. Tate hugged her tight. "I know, darling. But sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the people we love, and this is one of those times."

She took a deep breath as she tried to force a smile.

Mrs. Tate smiled and kissed her forehead. "You'll be fine, darling." She said.

Amelia waited until her mom had left the room before she sprang into action. She quickly gathered the few things she couldn't bear to leave behind, shoving them into a small bag. Her heart pounded as she tiptoed, trying not to draw attention to herself.

She had decided to wait for Henry at the train station. She still couldn't reach him, but she didn't want to believe that he had abandoned her. She needed to give him the benefit of the doubt.

As soon as the house was quiet, she opened the window of her room and climbed out. She ran as fast as she could; her heart raced with fear and excitement. She felt she was finally taking control of her own life, which was a heady feeling.

Amelia arrived at the train station and found a bench in a quiet corner. She sat there and waited for Henry. 

The minutes ticked by, and she tried not to think about what might happen if he didn't show up. She didn't want to think about the reality of being forced into a loveless marriage.

She sat on the bench at the train station with her bag at her feet and her heart heavy with disappointment. She had been so sure that Henry would show up, but as the minutes ticked by, it became clear that he wasn't coming.

She tried his phone again, but it was still not reachable. She didn't know what was happening, but she knew she was all alone in the world.

She sat there, feeling lost and alone; the sky began to darken, and a light rain started to fall. The raindrops mixed with her tears as she sat there and screamed.

Her heart was shattered, and she couldn't help but cry loudly. Just yesterday, Henry had promised they would elope together and start a new life. But he was gone now, gone without a trace. And tomorrow, she was supposed to marry the wealthiest and most ruthless man in town.

The thought of spending the rest of her life with a man she didn't love, someone who only saw her as a possession, filled her with dread.

She remained under the rain, huddled and crying, with no one to comfort her; she felt so helpless and abandoned. 

"I thought I had found true love, but it seemed like it was all a lie." She murmured as she cried out.

She didn't know what to do or where to go. She just sat there and cried, letting the rain wash away her tears.