Beatrice was paralyzed as she watched the man disappear from her sight, she turned abruptly to face her parents and her machine-gun-like mouth was ready to spat unnecessary words to them. She was beyond furious and she wanted to curse them all, but Beatrice held on to the remaining ounce of respect she has for the ones who gave birth to her.

She drew in a huge breath as she tried to calm down but her heart thumped aggressively and her mind was all in chaos. She couldn't calm down the turmoil that was brewing inside her.

"Mom!, Dad! Why did you just marry me off to a man whom I don't even know? Worse, you ignored my decision and still sold me to him." The rise in her tone and her anger was uncontrollable but it was understandable, given that her parents just sold her off to Lucas Landcaster. She had no knowledge that by the end of this day, she would be engaged.

"This is the best for all of us, Beatrice. Our family is going to ruins and I can't just stand by and watch as everything that I worked hard and sacrificed for, go down the drain." She scoffed at the words of her father. She looked at him with pure disgust and animosity.

Even with his own daughter on the line, all that he could think about is his company. All that he could think about was himself.

"So you're just selling me off for the company? You're selling my life and freedom for your own goddamn money? That's bullshit!"

"Don't curse here, young lady. If you were more reliable and responsible, this wouldn't happen. All these years, we have endured your unruly state, you were nothing but a burden and a shame. Now, it's time to put yourself into good use." She smiled bitterly and tears were forming around her eyes but Beatrice was never the type to show weakness and she would never be weak.

"I was a burden for you? I brought shame to the family? So now you're selling me off to be...what? A sex slave, a wife that warms up his bed, a maid that would clean and provide him of his needs! Do you truly think so little of me?" She was frustrated. She knew she was irresponsible and shameless but marriage is just too much for her. Thinking of her life in matrimony was never desirable and she never gave a thought about it.

"No, Lucas promised to us that he would treat you well and he would not force you into anything" Her mother interfered and Beatrice shook her head with disbelief etched on her face.

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"Mom I can't believe you're siding and believing that man-"

"That man is Lucas and your future husband, Beatrice. He would also be this family's benefactor so the least you could do is respect and follow his wishes." Her father firmly declared and she was stupefied.

So she'll be like a dog, who'll just wait for her master's orders and her parents consented to this. She'll be a wife that will follow any wishes of that man.

Beatrice's thoughts were clouded with negativity. She was sold off for the company and all that she could think about was nasty thoughts. Lucas Landcaster was a man shrouded with secrecy and mystery, so she wouldn't know what would happen if their marriage does happen.

Her parent's decisions were final and no matter how hard she tried to voice out her complaints and refusals, they shut their ears and refused to listen. She spent an hour trying to change their minds but they were like rocks, immovable and firm.

"No, you can't force me! All you think about is your company, fame, and money…

"You know, you both were the reasons why I grew up like this. You both were irresponsible parents who never cared and listened to their sole daughter. So for once, I need you to listen to me."

"Don't push the blame onto us, Beatrice. You grew up like this on your own accord and you will be married to Lucas Landcaster by next week…..or else we'll disown you."

She stared at them with disbelief, her arguments were pointless as they shut their mind to the sole thought of marrying her to Lucas. She was not yet ready for commitment, she was just a mere 21 years old and marriage never crossed her mind.

"Then disown me, I don't care if I'm not part of this wretched family. I don't care if you oust me from here. Heck, that,'s what I've been wishing for a long time. Not being part of this family-"

They all stopped in their tracks and everything suddenly halted as her father suddenly collapsed clutching his chest. He was struggling to breathe, striving for air and his face was bright red. The pain was evident on his face. Her father lost consciousness and her mother was shouting, but her surroundings seemed to slow down. Voices were all muffled in her head as she stared at her father who was lying on the floor, unmoving.

"Call an ambulance!" Her mother shouted and she was brought back from a daze.

Panic rose up from her, flooding her entire mind and she completely forgot about their intense argument.

"D...dad!" She quickly went beside him, grabbing her phone to call an ambulance but her fingers trembled as she dialed the number.

This was the first time for her father to experience a heart attack and she was fearful for the outcome.

The ambulance arrived after a couple of minutes and paramedics with a stretcher quickly went near to assess the situation and her father's condition.

They checked him first then placed him gently on the stretcher and with haste, brought him to the ambulance. Her mother was sobbing as she was also accompanied to the ambulance.

Beatrice watched as if the events unfolded like a dream, she couldn't believe what just happened and she just stood there, unmoving and fazed.

Her father's hanging on a thread and it was all because of her. Everything that happened was all because of her.

Guilt and remorse enveloped her as she watched his unconscious father lying on the stretcher being transferred inside the ambulance.

"Ma'am?...ma'am? Will you accompany us to the hospital?" She turned to one of the paramedics nodded profusely as she went inside the ambulance, staring at the poor state of her father.

Her mother was sobbing hard and the makeup that caked her face was now all messed up. Beatrice was also pale and haggard. They all appeared as if a giant storm just passed through them.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry" All she could utter was sorry.