Chapter 6 The Reveal

Hazel

"Good morning, dad," I said, but he didn't answer.

He adjusted his glasses and scrutinized me from head to toe.

"So, you have not gotten to the house since the wedding? I do not understand the relationship between you and that boy. Hazel, is there something I should know?" My father looked up at me.

"Dad, Adam is my best friend and nothing more. I have told you this over and over again." I frowned.

"Anyway, let's go inside... There is something really important that your mother and I would like to discuss with you.".

"Yes sir"

I moved to the back of the wheelchair chair and pushed him into the living room. Just as we went inside, my mom, a middle-aged woman, emerged from the room looking sober, and I knew whatever my parents had to say would not be pleasant.

"Good morning, ma." I greeted

"Haze, good morning. How are you? How is Adam?"

"He is fine, ma... He just dropped me off. I gave her a little smile.

"Hazel, please sit," my dad chipped in.

I was beginning to get really worried, and I didn't know when I dropped onto the couch and asked my dad.

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine, my love... Let your father explain." My mother looked sad and unhappy.

I sat down and listened as my dad explained to me how his company, G Textiles, launched a new product line called "Silksat." According to him, the fabric was supposed to replace the silk fabric because it was of superior quality, but the product was not well received by designers. As a result, the product failed. The failure had a significant impact on his company, and he lost millions of dollars. In order not to fold and lay off employees, he decided to borrow some funds from Nova Empire, which was owned by one of the most popular mafia bosses, in order to keep the company afloat. Unfortunately, he got sick, and all the funds borrowed to boost the company went into his medical bills.

"My company is going bankrupt, and Nova Empire's boss is demanding his money back. He gave me two conditions, but now I'm not sure if I should tell you." My dad rambled.

"What are the conditions, dad?" my heart thudded in my chest.

The first condition is that you have to marry William, his son, as collateral until the debt is paid in full.

"What!!!"I exclaimed.

And the second condition? I asked?

He looked up and took a deep breath. "You will remain married to William until the debt owed by G Textiles is paid in full within two years. If the debt is not paid in full after two years, you will bear him a child and give the family full custody of the child." he stated.

I gasped.

"That's insane! I hope you did not agree with this, dad."

My dad only looked down and remained silent.

I turned to my mom, who had tears in her eyes.

"Mom, please say something... Why are you quiet?" She looked at me, then reached out and held my hands.

"Baby, you know we love you, and we really wish there was another way out of this mess, but our hands are tied at the moment and there is nothing your father can do," she said with an air of finality, and I knew better than to argue with my parents, especially on matters of family.

I pried my hands away from her, ran out of the living room to my bedroom, and laid on my bed, sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn't believe that my life had been turned upside down within a blink of an eye.

Anger enveloped me like wildfire. My parents, the people who were supposed to protect me and love me, had just thrust me into this living nightmare. Marriage? A contract? To some stranger I barely knew? The very thought of it felt like suffocation. Images of white dresses and wedding vows swam in my head, but they were quickly replaced by a cold, sterile vision of a man I didn't love, living in a gilded cage. The last thing I wanted was a child with him, a constant reminder of this forced arrangement.

My eyes stung with tears that fell, blurring my sight. It wasn't fair, I managed to choke out before my own words stuck in my throat. It was a tough one for me. I do not know when sleep claimed me; but the next time, i opened my eyes, there was darkness everywhere. Suddenly I thought about the fix that I was in, and then my stomach turned dry and rumbled. I had not had any food or water that day. I was about to stand up to find food when I heard footsteps outside my door and then a knock.

"Who's there?" I croaked, my voice hoarse.

"Haze, baby, it's me, your mother," came a muffled reply. Relief washed over me, warm and welcome. "I brought you food."

"Come in, mom," I rasped, my voice barely above a whisper.

The door creaked open, revealing my mother's with a tray of food - pasta and her special sauce wafted through the air as she gave me a small smile. The sight of her scent a pang of longing in me. Home. Safety. Things that suddenly felt so far away.

She placed the tray on my nightstand and then sat down at the edge of bed, looking in my eyes with a heart-wrenching blend of concern and guilt.

"Mom," I started, barely above a whisper. I've thought about it.

Reaching out, I took her hand in mine. "Mom, wipe that look off your face. I'm not dying." A strained smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I knew it looked forced, but I couldn't bear to see her worry.

"I know, sweetheart," she replied, her voice tight. "It's just... your father... I don't understand why he does the things he sometimes does, but I truly believe he thinks this is the only way."

Heaving a sigh, I looked away. A part of me understood. My father was always an ambitious man. But this? This felt different. This felt like a betrayal.

"Mom," I started, barely above a whisper. I've thought about it. If this contract marriage will keep Dad from... losing it all... I'll do it. Two years. I can endure that. For you, for Dad, for the family."

"Haze, you are an angel. What would we have done without you? You're always so thoughtful, so rational..." she half-whispered with a kiss on my palm, her warm vanilla perfume filling my senses.

"Thank you for considering, baby. I love you more than words can express."

A torrent of tears finally spilled forth from me and my vision became blurred. I just curled up in her arms and cried. The tears held back for too long. As I felt my mother embrace me, coming to terms with the helpless, pitiful state of reality. Despite the sweet little package of promises I'd been handed down from above, somewhere deep inside a cloud of questions surrounded me, I knew I was strong enough to take whatever life threw at me from there going forward.