Married for Revenge, Bound by Love

ng place. This i

ion notice burned like a curse into my he

TICE IS

the steel cage-like weight of reality press

ome. I gave a harsh laugh, hollow

is feeble, unsure voice pierced

of his bedroom door in the tiny pa

once was remained after th

lue eyes, which had once been filled with assurance

g wrong with you,

ind my back and swallow

erything is good

could see the doubt flicker over his face

end some time s

The smell of medicine and a faint trace of the perfume he

were heaped on h

ional notifications. More dangers.

onto the bed. "Recently, yo

n effort

busy, don't you?"

e to do this a

a deep

ve been carrying the burden of responsibility. I had to deal w

fé, every freelance job, and every

ning now. I fidgeted

at me for a while. Then he beca

ion that I would like

omach, and his speech

had told me, there was a loud bang

o

e. It came too soon. They weren

impatient. With wobbly legs, I pushed my

take a

eath. The door flung open befo

ced at me with cold, calculating eyes and t

y but uncaring voice. "Your landlo

the doorframe's edge. "I simp

allotted time is up." I

rated throughout the home, serving as a sobering remin

silenced when he

erty must be abandoned. Legal act

l ac

I tightened my

. He was indifferent. Before I could stop him, he turned an

hook the windows. Once replete with late-night giggles, childhood memori

My vision became hazy. Groceries w

nt. I didn't have any money sav

urned back toward his room. I couldn't allow this

ave been ano

mething, tha

sen to make fun of me. I had never seen the number that fl

ed with a powerful, commanding vo

mian Blackwo

e did. A billionaire, a ruthless businessman. A man who, with one

ered. One more pause. The next thi

or you." I gripped

st." He gave a lo

ears." There was something about his confi

However, my father's feeble cough reverberated. I

ng in return for whatever he accomplished. I too

new my response already. "Wedding." I was startled

," he added, sounding as if he was t

equire

le breathing. "You

tal

of incredulity go ove

ckwood,

yes kept returning to the eviction notice that was re

r. My heart thumping, I put the phone to my ear. "

nge, your financial issues will be resolved

ain around a lifeline. The weight of my father's future crushing a

grew softer, it still

what will

look around the house. Already, I was

I asked, taking a de