Livia never imagined that she would be forced to marry a man chosen by her father, as a request from her father's longtime friend. Given her father's critical condition, Livia felt she had no choice but to accept the wedding, which was held simply with a minimal dowry. Becoming the wife of a man named Kieran Devira had never crossed her mind. Moreover, Livia soon discovers that Kieran still has a girlfriend and continues a secret relationship behind her back. It turns out that behind the sudden request from her father-in-law, there is a hidden agenda that forces Livia to become part of a bigger plan. Livia is tasked with making Kieran fall in love with her and break up with his girlfriend, who has been kept secret from her. Trapped in intrigue and lies, Livia must now play a role much bigger than she ever imagined. Will Livia succeed in shaking Kieran's heart and making him surrender to true love?
Chapter 1 her eyes fixed on her father
Livia stood at the threshold of the hospital room, her eyes fixed on her father, who was lying unconscious on the bed, hooked up to machines that beeped rhythmically. The soft, sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the heavy silence that seemed to blanket the entire room. Her heart clenched as she looked at the frail figure that had once been a towering pillar of strength in her life. Now, reduced to this, a fragile shell of the man who had always been her protector, her guide.
She had never imagined she would be in this position. Her father's health had deteriorated rapidly over the past few weeks, and despite the doctors' best efforts, there was no improvement. Every conversation with the doctors had left her feeling more helpless than the last. But today, as she sat by his side, holding his cold, trembling hand, the weight of a new burden was pressing down on her, one that she couldn't ignore.
"Livia," a voice interrupted her thoughts, soft but insistent. She turned to see her father's longtime friend, Mr. Haris, standing at the door with a solemn expression. His gaze was filled with an unspoken concern, but it was his words that made her heart race. "Your father wanted me to talk to you about something... important."
Livia's brow furrowed. "What is it?" she asked, trying to mask the unease rising within her.
"Your father... he's asked for something. A request that, I believe, could give him some peace of mind," Mr. Haris continued, his voice strained as though he too understood the gravity of what was about to be discussed. "He wants you to marry someone."
Livia blinked, the words not registering at first. "Marry someone? But why? I don't understand."
Mr. Haris sighed deeply, stepping into the room and sitting across from her. "It's someone your father has known for a long time. A man named Kieran Devira. He is... well, let's just say, your father had hoped you two would become acquainted long ago, but circumstances never allowed it."
Livia felt a cold shiver run through her as her mind struggled to grasp the implications of what was being said. "Marry Kieran? But why now?" Her voice shook with disbelief.
"He's a good man, Livia. Your father believes this marriage will bring peace and security for both of you. It would be a marriage of convenience, nothing more, just a way to ensure that things are set right before..." Mr. Haris trailed off, his gaze flickering nervously toward her father, who remained unconscious.
Livia felt a lump form in her throat. The idea of marrying a man she didn't even know, especially under such circumstances, was overwhelming. She had always imagined her life differently - with love, with someone who chose her willingly. But now, her father's condition, so fragile, so fleeting, demanded something she had never expected.
"But... my father-" she started, but Mr. Haris interrupted her gently.
"He doesn't have much time left, Livia. This is his final wish. And it's not just about you and Kieran. There's something more, something he believed was necessary for you. It's a way to protect you, to ensure you are never alone, even after he's gone."
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, pressing down on her chest. The thought of losing her father was unbearable, but she knew he had always been the one to guide her through difficult choices. And now, his voice echoed in her ears, even in his absence: Do this for me, Livia. For your future.
"Do you trust Kieran?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mr. Haris hesitated, his gaze momentarily flicking to the floor. "He is not without flaws, but he is a man of his word. And this... this arrangement will benefit you both in ways you cannot yet see."
Livia swallowed hard, a rush of emotions swirling inside her - anger, fear, confusion. She had never been the type to be controlled by others, but with her father's condition, she was trapped in a situation she couldn't escape.
"I'll... I'll think about it," Livia said, her voice firm despite the turmoil churning inside her. "But I need to meet this Kieran. I need to know who I'm marrying."
Mr. Haris nodded, a faint, almost sad smile crossing his lips. "Of course. You deserve to know him, Livia. I'll arrange it."
As he left the room, Livia stood in silence, her mind racing. What kind of man was Kieran Devira? And why did her father feel so strongly about this marriage? She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than just a simple union of convenience.
But for now, there was nothing she could do except wait - wait for the moment she would meet the man she was about to marry, and wait for the storm that would inevitably follow.
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