Arranged Marriage: The Price of Wealth

usted slumber. I yawn tiredly, the lack of sleep from last night weighing on me, but I drag myself up anyway. My feet

mplete mess, a wild bird's nest of tangled strands. Compared to others like my mother and sisters, my hair is con

y, but the weariness lingers. I quickly turn off the tap and gather my hair, pulling it into a messy bun. It's on

settle on a simple grey crop top and black shorts, the perfect choice for a lazy day at home. I throw on my underga

om of the stairs, I hear th

t all over her face! It's expensive, you know!" Am

Amelia, always a drama queen, probably overreacted to something sma

keup!" I hear Isabella crying now,

I march down the stairs, walking into the living room to find Amelia standing with her arms crossed, frowning at Isabella, who's still wipin

r voice surprisingly loud. "I told you, she's young!

ns. Her calm demeanor has a way of calming me down, though sometimes it's so serene it annoys me. But t

dramatically. "I'm so tired of this!

taking a deep breath, trying to regain her co

nto louder sobs, her face red with frustration.

ding her tightly to my chest. She clings to me, her sobs subs

ady but firm. "SHUT UP!" I shout,

face twists with disbelief, while my mother's expressi

re not the perfect child. People make mistakes." I look

with a touch of something else-maybe respect. She s

," she mutters under her b

ng my eyes, trying to diffuse the tension. "Sh

. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever." She turns, swaying her hips as she exits the ro

She brushes a strand of hair behind her ear before speaking. "My apologies, Claudia," sh

always has a way of making everything seem okay, even when it's not. Sometimes it drive

y to do something equally calm and composed, while I

ther's voice suddenly,

room. He's dressed in his usual dark suit, a briefcase in hand. He doesn't look angry, bu

u," he says, his voice c

this must be serious. As I step into his office, I feel the familiar tension in my chest rise. The walls are lined with bookshelves, th

t down slowly, the leather creaking slightly beneath me, and lean back as he clos

with you, Claudia," he finally says, his tone mo

r's business dealings are often the subject of these "important" discussion

y voice steady despite the