Two billionaires with a bride

d and unarranged. Despite the mess, there's something heartening: she's less confined now. She's moved to her dad's living room,

s phone rang. It wa

band, Mr. Patrick, has been taken to the hospital by his

was a

nsent form so we can continue with treatme

Mom and I rushed

Dad, and my heart san

ty of what had happene

ere in quiet confusion,

ntil Mom is unable to speak, and we both look into each

would take daily, he needs $275. Mom is going to complain that the amount was excessive and vent her frustration

self again in two weeks. Although it offered us a shaky feeling of hope, the anxiety still consumes us. We bear a silent

him so much now sits alone, waiting, hoping for familiar faces. It's heartbreaking to

itting room all night. He sat there in his wheelchair, a shadow of the man I once knew, his shoulders

g beside him, and softly asked, "Dad... why have

, his voice low and

'll be coming for all of it soon. Every last thing I own including

he walls that had seen a lifetime of effort and sacrifice. "Everythin

, his sobs heavy and worn. I

nothing. He coldly revealed the amount Mr. Patrick still owed the workers, who had all abandoned th

to live i

wheelchair today. He's stronger now, and for the first time in a long while, it feels like he'

trol of all his assets, Dad

ough the open doors. They spoke calmly, with quiet determination, about rebuilding and

talking. When I stepped out,

id gently. "Take care of yours

ch of gravel sign

g. He looked like the weight of the whole day was still pressing down on him. Mom said nothing she simply dropped into the

alarm grew louder with each passing sec

and I asked myself,

pt naked. Unfortunately, I find myself wet as if I ha

t having an affair with a man. I was sti

Knock!!

is there?" I sa

repl

o my pajamas to cover myself up. I un

to my room in the middle of the night? I sat on my bed

d, I didn't feel good about this decision, voice trembling, "I had no choice. I ar

ne. Her face was pretty okay as she tapped through her mobile phone, untouched by t

. The silence between us wasn't empty anymore,

Dad returned to t

ldn't

ss imaginings, and powerless thoughts. By dawn, I slipped out of bed, barely aware of my steps, and stood beneath the shower

ain, Dad's stat

gown. Dad wasn't there, and the silence felt he

ithout looking up. "He went

d he throw me into an arrang

choice. It's the only w

knees, tears falling. She repeated it, colde

longer a daughter but a

ent too silent. Not

ned holding a dress.

ll save everything our name, our busi

y bi

billion. If the marriage goes through in the next tw

o marry a man you've nev

lling myself, I have t

d in love. I dreamed of a love that makes the world disapp

n't bathe as I us

sad, I was numb. Mom and Dad? They were already looking forward to a

tomorrow morning,

us up here. Dress well. Look your best." Then he turned away, disa

soon, and I coul

ed. Dressed in white. My hands tre

they were

like mirrors. Mom beside him, blue hair cascad

e, their eyes were empty. Guilt. Fear. Regr

the king's hal

aking. Grand chandeliers, velvet drapes, flowers everywhere like s

uldn't imagi

d, overwhelmed

small. So alone. I couldn't continue to imagine this ha

of my life or the en