pte

d the audacity to request that I call her "mum." My father has a thing for younger women, and I'm pretty sure that he can find some underaged heiress to woo. So

, right? Holy shit, I am going to have to marry a str

has my father

ha'

. What on earth had gotten into him? To be fair, I can't say, "Who is he, and where did he take my father?" because this is totally something m

me to marry some stranger on the off chance that it will help

ou think about this," my father interrupts, cutting off my

im. It's useless anyway; his mind is made up. He's a stubborn, powe

old, the oldest of three siblings, and he owns a nightclub downtown. There, he's no

ds, but none of it makes any sense. "Christian Matheson," I

ther isn't bluffing. He's not going to back

I need to remain calm, to think clearly. But my stomach is in knots, a

ak. He expects obedience. But I am his daughter, and there's no way in hell I'm doing this withou

n't want to marry someone I've never met. I want to find someone that means something to me, someone I love, and then maybe consider marria

sn't back down. He's waiting for me to break, waiting for

s his arms, his expression cold and calculating. He's probably already planning how he'

voice so devoid of emotion it sends a chill through my veins. "

ultimatum presses down on me, and for a moment, I can't breathe. I

"Your perfect little life will come to an end the moment you refuse me. No inheritance. No CEO position. Nothin

pounding in my chest, and the room feels as though i

no response coming to mind. This isn

l wave. How dare he? How dare he use my future

This is what he's decided for me. The man I thought I knew-the one

sts clenched so tightly that my nails dig into my palms. But it's too late

, his voice colder than ever. "This marriage will happen. If y

he only answer

lly, as though he's waiting for me to crumble. B

respond, he dismisses me

n o'clock. Be there, Sas

ir like poison, and I feel

ady moving on to his next task. Like nothing has h

he weight of his words crash down on me.