I sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers twisting the strap of my bag bag as I stared at the floor. The taxi waited outside, engines humming softly, a reminder that my life was about to change forever. I had spent the morning talking to my father , and the memory of his eyes,so full of worry, love, and silent pleading,refused to leave my mind.
"Previan … please," he had said, voice cracking. "I know it's complicated, I know he has everything… but don't lose yourself in all of it. Promise me you'll be careful."
I had nodded, pretending to be brave, though inside I felt a storm of guilt and fear. My father had raised me with everything he could, teaching me to value love over luxury, yet now I was stepping into a world built on gold and power, where affection seemed like a currency i didn't have.
The drive to the oracle mansion had been suffocating. I watched the streets blur past, feeling like I was moving through someone else's dream. The thought of Jackie's calculating eyes, the cold formality of the house, and the diamond ring that now bound me to it all made my stomach twist.
My heart ached as I remembered my father's hand lingering on mine, as if he wanted to hold me back from a fate he feared. "Be strong, my girl," he whispered, finally letting go. And that's when the reality hit me,there was no turning back.
When she arrived, the mansion loomed above me, grand and intimidating. Its stone walls and towering gates spoke of wealth that few could imagine, yet none of it mattered to the part of me that still longed for freedom. The valet opened the door, and I took a deep breath, steadying myself . Every step toward the entrance felt heavier than the last, as if the house itself sensed my hesitation.
And then I saw him,Jackie Blue poised and smiling, but eyes sharp and unreadable. I forced a smile, feeling the first pangs of fear and determination mix. I had promised my father that I will be careful, but I hadn't promised iwould be happy.