Sophie stood in the dimly lit living room, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum, disbelief, and despair washing over her. "I cannot marry him, Dad! I just can't! Please!" she cried out, her voice trembling as she paced back and forth, her mind racing with every painful thought.
Mr. Miller, tall and imposing, turned to face her with a stern expression etched into his features. "You will marry him, and that is final!" His voice, unwavering and authoritative, filled the room as he took a couple of strides toward the door, the energy in the air thick with tension.
Desperation seeped into Sophie's voice, and she stood firm, fixing her gaze on her father with fierce determination. "Why must I bear the consequences of your choices? What have I done to deserve this?" Her words were laced with indignation, the weight of her father's decisions heavy upon her shoulders.
Mr. Miller met her challenging stare, his expression hardened by the burdens he carried. "You are not paying for anyone's mistakes. You are helping me settle my debts. I owe a staggering amount—billions, Sophie! That money has been invested in our family, in you!" His voice rose with frustration, pleading for her to understand the gravity of the situation.
"But, Dad, I am not ready to marry anyone, especially not him," Sophie protested, her voice cracking under the strain of her emotions.
"Unfortunately, your desires are not the priority. You will comply with my decision, regardless of your feelings," Mr. Miller began but was abruptly interrupted by Mrs. Miller, who had been silently listening in the background.
"Enough, Daniel! This situation was created by your choices. You need to engage in a constructive conversation rather than issue demands," Mrs. Miller asserted, her tone sharp and filled with frustration, her hands clasped tightly at her side.
With a huff of indignation, Mr. Miller grabbed his suitcase, the sound of the zipper echoing through the room as he stormed out, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
"Come here, sweetheart," Mrs. Miller said softly, her voice a soothing balm amidst Sophie's turmoil. Sophie stood frozen, tears pooling in her eyes, blurring her vision as she fought the urge to break down.
"Mom, I don't want to marry him, please!" she sobbed, collapsing into her mother's comforting embrace, her shoulders shaking as she let the tears flow freely.
"It's alright, my dear, it's alright," Mrs. Miller murmured, gently stroking the back of Sophie's head, her touch both calming and reassuring.
"Why does he treat me this way, Mom? Am I not his biological daughter?" Sophie managed to gasp amidst her tears, the hurt in her voice cutting deep.
"Sweetheart, please don't think that," Mrs. Miller replied earnestly, her eyes filled with compassion. "Your father can be difficult at times, but that doesn't mean he doesn't love you or value your place in this family."
"Why would he arrange a marriage for his only daughter with someone she barely knows, against her will? How can he do that?" Sophie poured out her anger and bitterness, her frustration palpable in the room.
"Please, just try to calm down. Everything will be alright," Mrs. Miller whispered, holding her daughter closer as if to shield her from the storm raging outside.
"I'm going to my room," Sophie said softly after wiping her tears, her heart heavy as she trudged down the dimly lit hallway, each step feeling like a weighty burden.
Once in her sanctuary, she collapsed onto her bed, staring blankly at the stark white ceiling that felt like a blank canvas for her chaotic thoughts. She imagined a future forced upon her, trapped in a marriage that felt like a prison, grappling with the notion of who she was to marry. Anxiety clawed at her insides, overwhelming her, and she fought against the tears that were eager to escape once more, questioning why she was being punished in this cruel manner.
Suddenly, her bedroom door swung open, and her best friend Haley stepped in, her face a mix of concern and determination. Upon seeing her friend's distress, Sophie's emotions erupted, and she began to weep more intensely as if a dam had broken.
"Sophie, don't!" Haley exclaimed, rushing to her side with urgency. She sat down on the edge of the bed, urging Sophie to lean against her shoulder while gently running her fingers through her hair. With a soft touch, she retrieved tissues from her purse, dabbing at Sophie's tear-streaked face.
"I don't want to marry him, Hay," Sophie murmured, fatigue evident in her voice, her spirit worn down by the weight of her father's harsh decisions.
"I understand, Sophie, I truly do," Haley replied empathetically, kneeling to meet her friend's tear-filled gaze. "Everything will be alright. We will overcome this together," she assured her, and Sophie nodded, grateful for the support. Haley continued to wipe away the remnants of Sophie's tears and enveloped her in a warm, comforting hug, a small measure of solace amidst the chaos.
At this moment, Sophie felt a profound sense of gratitude for having a friend like Haley—steady and unwavering in her support over the past six years. Every time Sophie had lashed out in anger or sought solitude, Haley had remained resolute at her side. This unyielding companionship made their friendship distinctly special, and Sophie felt blessed to have Haley Smith in her life.
"Shall we have some ice cream?" Haley suggested, a spark of hope glimmering in her eyes as she tried to lighten the mood.
"I'm not really in the mood for ice cream, Hay," Sophie replied, the thought of her impending marriage overshadowing any sweet temptation.
"Too late! Our order has just arrived, and it's your favorite. Trust me, you'll feel better after having some!" Haley exclaimed, her tone infectious with enthusiasm as she bounded out to grab the ice cream with delight.
Sophie couldn't help but smile, her heart warmed by her friend's efforts to inject a bit of joy into her bleak reality.
As anticipation coursed through her, she reflected on how much she struggled to envision a world without Haley—her mind drifting back to the day they first crossed paths six years ago, the moment that had woven an unbreakable bond between them. Those shared experiences filled her with immeasurable joy and a sense of belonging she had never before known. To Sophie, Haley was a brilliant light, the brightest star in an otherwise dark sky.
Yet, as memories swirled joyfully in her mind, Sophie felt her smile fade, overwhelmed by the looming shadows of her harsh reality. The thought of being wed to Mike Tyson—a man she detested deeply—crashed over her like an unforgiving wave, dragging her down into despair.
Why did the universe choose to subject her to such cruelty? Why him, of all people? The tears she had fought so valiantly to hold back began to pool in her eyes once more, blurring her vision as her thoughts spiraled deeper into uncertainty and fear, threatening to spill over in a deluge of emotion.