Chapter 2

Alice Lewis The alarm clock went off, but it felt pointless. I hadn’t slept a wink all night. My mind was a storm, each thought crashing into the next, suffocating me. The morning light filtered through the crack in the curtains, making my small room feel even smaller. I sighed, already feeling the weight of a day that had barely begun. I needed information. Grabbing my laptop, I typed his name with shaky fingers: Arthur Lacerda. The results loaded instantly. CEO of a multinational corporation, a man with a spotless reputation in business and high-risk investments. Picture after picture of him appeared—always polished, always composed. A man who looked like he had never lost control of anything in his life. And yet, here he was, claiming to be my father. There was nothing about Aurora. Nothing about the powerful family he owed a debt to. Nothing about why he needed me so desperately. I swallowed the lump in my throat. What the hell have I gotten myself into? I decided to take a deep breath and face the facts. I got ready and went to the hospital, Arthur was already there, speaking in hushed tones with a doctor. He looked just as put together as yesterday, but there was a weight in his eyes now—something unsettling. The moment he saw me, he ended the conversation and walked toward me with purpose. “Alice,” he said my name like it belonged to him. “We need to talk.” I crossed my arms. “About what now?” He gestured toward a secluded bench. I hesitated but followed. My stomach churned as he started speaking in a tone too calm for the bomb he was about to drop. “The heir Aurora was supposed to marry is the son of one of the most influential families in the city. The problem is, he’s currently incarcerated, but that won’t last long. We need you to meet him as soon as he’s released.” Silence. Then—“You’re telling me you want me to marry a criminal?” My voice was louder than I intended. People turned to look, but I didn’t care. Arthur exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple like I was a frustrating problem to solve. “It’s not that simple. This family—” He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. “They’re not the forgiving type when it comes to debts. The marriage was meant to secure peace. If you don’t take Aurora’s place, the consequences will be… severe.” I stared at him, my pulse hammering in my ears. “So that’s why Aurora ran away,” I whispered. “She saw this for the madness that it is. And now you want to throw me to the wolves instead?” Arthur didn’t answer right away. He just looked at me—looked through me—with that same expression I was starting to hate. Like he knew something I didn’t. Like the worst part hadn’t even been said yet. “I’ve made mistakes, Alice,” he admitted, his voice quieter now. “To gain power. To protect what I’ve built. But the cost was higher than I ever imagined. If you refuse this, you won’t just be putting your mother at risk. You’ll be putting yourself in danger, too.” A chill ran through me. This wasn’t a plea. It was a warning. I could see it now—the way his jaw tensed, the way his eyes darkened. He wasn’t exaggerating. And suddenly, I wasn’t just some girl trying to survive. I was a loose end. I forced myself to breathe. “I need time to think... Now that I know it's not just an ordinary wedding...” Arthur nodded, slow and deliberate. “Tomorrow,” he said. “I need your answer by tomorrow.” He left after saying those words, and I was left alone, staring at the door of the room where my mother was still standing. As soon as I entered, I could see her. My mother looked so small in that hospital bed, her body barely more than fragile bones beneath thin blankets. I took her hand in mine, gripping it like she could somehow pull me back to sanity. “What do I do, Mom?” My voice cracked. “Did you know about Arthur? About Aurora?” No answer. Just the rhythmic beeping of the machines keeping her alive. I swallowed hard. This wasn’t just about an arranged marriage. It was about control. Power. Ownership. My skin burned at the thought of being forced into something so intimate with a man I didn’t know, a man I didn’t choose. They wanted to take everything from me. I pressed my forehead against her hand, my shoulders shaking. I can’t do this. But then I thought of the alternative. Of my mother’s medical bills. Of the family that wouldn’t take no for an answer. Of Arthur’s warning echoing in my head. If I said no… what would they do to me? A shiver crawled down my spine. I wasn’t sure if being strong was enough to save me. And the worst part? I had less than 24 hours to decide my fate.