he chilly morning air, my heart poun

y as the sun barely rose, but it made littl

he little shade by the park, which I spotted when I turned th

and took a quick look inside. There he was,

ld sense the tension in the room. I

e turned slowly toward me. Normally w

. With a sigh, Marco combed through his untidy hai

away. "You believe I want this? To wed a man I've never met? to abandon ever

"Marco, it's not that easy. You have n

w about you? Bella, what about your dreams? A

owever, the sound of footsteps echoed o

he door. "Who's that?" I said, "I don't k

Kelvin's face. His attitude was in

to find you," "She says Mr. Presley is coming

-----------

rushing around, cleaning already-spotless surfaces and arr

a positive impression. Still in shock from my

e. "Yes, we do. Do you think I wanted all this? To give up your freedom? Bu

ble, they'll take the house." Her rem

eel so oppressive. --- My mother was nearly trembling with anxiety, a

rridor, their curiosity scarcely restrained, Kel

the previous day, but he was accompanied by an older m

d, pointing to the guy at his side. An uneasy smile cam

cusing on me. "Let's get straight to the point," he said in a

ity, and my son needs a good woman

s marriage, we will clear all your debts, provide a monthly

he blurted out. A small smile tugged Mr. Presley's lips. Isabell

ents, and abide by our standards. Personal

was a pact, not just a marriage. A jail. "And

er. However, I don't think you'll make it through the fallou

ease," she said. I looked at my younger siblings, who were looking around the c

up until now, said. "You have a choice, I

was obvious how serious they were. I

was about to abandon. But I also thought about my family, the

ng voice. Despite his displeasure, Mr. Pr

en faded into the distance as he and Alexander departed. Wi

me. "I know this isn't what you want, but sometimes we

two. --- Later that evening, I was sitting by myself in my r

standing outside with the moonligh

ened the window. "What are you doing here?" "I couldn't l

Unable to respond, I glanced at him with tears in my eyes. "Bec