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Arranged Marriage: The Price of Wealth

Arranged Marriage: The Price of Wealth

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I was 18, and I had no real idea of what that truly meant until my father made a decision that would change my life forever. An arranged marriage, with Isaac Miller, a young billionaire whose name echoes around the world. My father made this decision to restore peace between our families, a peace I didn't even understand. Isaac Miller wasn't just a businessman; he was a living empire. Thousands of companies, investments in sectors that even the biggest corporations wouldn't dare touch. At 25, he was already at the helm of it all, a business genius, relentless, unshakable. And I, I was nothing more than Claudia Richardson, an 18-year-old girl, kind and innocent, who never asked to be a pawn in a game far beyond my understanding. I often wondered how a man like Isaac could commit to such a relationship, one based on a contract, on family benefits rather than real feelings. But my father had his reasons, reasons I didn't have the courage to question. He said it was for stability, to protect our name, our legacy. But that only frightened me more. Why would a man like Isaac, with so much power, agree to marry a girl like me? The marriage was just a formality for him, a way to maintain order and family interests. But what was I in all of this? Just a simple symbol of union between two empires.

Chapter 1 01

The sun streaming through my curtains awakens me, its rays hitting my face just the right way to pull me from my exhausted slumber. I yawn tiredly, the lack of sleep from last night weighing on me, but I drag myself up anyway. My feet hit the cold wooden floor, sending a slight shiver up my spine as I stand up and stretch, my body groaning in protest.

I shuffle toward the bathroom, still half asleep, and glance at myself in the mirror. My brown curly hair is a complete mess, a wild bird's nest of tangled strands. Compared to others like my mother and sisters, my hair is considerably longer. It's one of the things I actually like about myself, even if it requires constant care to tame.

I turn on the warm water from the tap, splashing it over my face. The cold, refreshing splash wakes me up slightly, but the weariness lingers. I quickly turn off the tap and gather my hair, pulling it into a messy bun. It's one of those days where I really couldn't care less about how I look, especially since I'm not going anywhere today.

Walking out of the bathroom, I head straight to my walk-in closet, scanning my wardrobe for something comfortable. I settle on a simple grey crop top and black shorts, the perfect choice for a lazy day at home. I throw on my undergarments and pull the clothes on before heading downstairs, ready to face whatever chaos the house might have in store.

The moment I reach the bottom of the stairs, I hear the familiar sound of shouting.

"Mum, she's always taking my makeup and smudging it all over her face! It's expensive, you know!" Amelia's voice rings out, high-pitched and demanding.

I groan inwardly. This argument again. I know exactly what happened. Amelia, always a drama queen, probably overreacted to something small, like Isabella using her makeup. I brace myself for the inevitable.

"Mum, she wasted perfectly good makeup!" I hear Isabella crying now, her sobs echoing through the house.

Sighing, I know I'll have to intervene. Amelia's tantrums never seem to end, and my mother's patience has a tendency to wear thin with her. I march down the stairs, walking into the living room to find Amelia standing with her arms crossed, frowning at Isabella, who's still wiping tears from her eyes. Mum stands nearby, trying to maintain some semblance of control, but even I can tell her temper is close to snapping.

"Do NOT treat her like this!" Mum suddenly roars, her voice surprisingly loud. "I told you, she's young! If you're so angry about it, I'll buy you new stuff!"

My eyes widen. Mum never shouts. She's always calm and rational, even in the most stressful of situations. Her calm demeanor has a way of calming me down, though sometimes it's so serene it annoys me. But this... this is different. Her voice carries a rare sharpness that's enough to make me stop in my tracks.

"Ugh!" Amelia growls, tossing her head dramatically. "I'm so tired of this! Why does she get away with everything?"

"Because she's little, Amelia," Mum replies, taking a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "You need to be more understanding."

But before I can say anything, Isabella bursts into louder sobs, her face red with frustration. That's it. I can't stand by and watch any longer.

I march up to Isabella, picking her up from the couch and holding her tightly to my chest. She clings to me, her sobs subsiding as I stroke her hair. I look up at my mother and Amelia.

"Mum, Amelia," I say, my voice steady but firm. "SHUT UP!" I shout, my words echoing through the room.

They both fall silent, turning to stare at me. Amelia's face twists with disbelief, while my mother's expression softens, though a hint of frustration still lingers.

"Amelia," I continue, "not everything is about you. You're not the perfect child. People make mistakes." I look at my mother. "And mum, shouting never solves anything."

Amelia glares at me, her arms still crossed, but now with a touch of something else-maybe respect. She seems to think about what I said before speaking again.

"Mum always sides with you," she mutters under her breath, her scowl deepening.

"Um, no... She really doesn't," I reply, rolling my eyes, trying to diffuse the tension. "She just doesn't tolerate your tantrums, Amelia."

She scoffs, flicking her hair over her shoulder with a practiced movement. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever." She turns, swaying her hips as she exits the room with the same attitude that's both infuriating and somehow fascinating.

My mother walks over to me, taking Isabella from my arms with a soft, apologetic smile. She brushes a strand of hair behind her ear before speaking. "My apologies, Claudia," she says, her tone a little gentler now. "I'm lucky to have a problem solver in the house."

I nod but don't say anything, feeling a little awkward as she hugs Isabella close. Mum always has a way of making everything seem okay, even when it's not. Sometimes it drives me mad. I wish she would just admit that sometimes things aren't perfect in this house.

With a final wink, Mum waddles off to her room, likely to do something equally calm and composed, while I turn my attention back to Amelia's retreating figure.

"Claudia," I hear my father's voice suddenly, cutting through the air.

I look up to see him standing in the doorway, his tall frame casting a shadow across the room. He's dressed in his usual dark suit, a briefcase in hand. He doesn't look angry, but there's something in his expression that tells me this isn't just a casual conversation.

"I need to speak with you," he says, his voice commanding but not unkind.

I nod, setting down the now-quiet Isabella and following him out of the room. My father rarely calls me into his office for anything, so 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, the windows giving a view of the sprawling estate beyond. But despite the luxury and grandeur, the office always feels a little cold to me.

"Take a seat," he says, gesturing to the leather chair in front of his desk. I sit down slowly, the leather creaking slightly beneath me, and lean back as he closes the door behind us. The room is silent for a moment as he gathers his thoughts.

"There is something important I need to discuss with you, Claudia," he finally says, his tone more serious now. "I need your undivided attention."

I nod, my fingers instinctively fiddling with the hem of my shirt. My father's business dealings are often the subject of these "important" discussions, but something about his tone today feels different. More weighty, somehow.

"I'm listening," I reply, my voice steady despite the unease gnawing at my stomach.

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Latest Release: Chapter 5 05   Yesterday 21:27
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1 Chapter 1 01
26/04/2025
2 Chapter 2 02
26/04/2025
3 Chapter 3 03
26/04/2025
4 Chapter 4 04
26/04/2025
5 Chapter 5 05
26/04/2025
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