Chapter 1

“You will marry Nicholas King. You will complete your duties as his wife and to our family. Do you understand, Gabriella?”

My father’s words linger heavily as I sit in front of him inside his cold office. As a child, this room used to scare me with its dim lighting in the form of a small chandelier above his woodgrain desk, which barely illuminates the room. There’s no natural light due to the heavy drapes, which means no view of our property’s perfectly landscaped gardens.

The room is built like a cave with small windows similar to those inside a basement. Shelves surround the rest of the room, filled with leather-bound books, the smell musty and earthy. My father enjoys reading, mainly about the war and other historical events.

I glance around the room, trying to ignore the claustrophobia creeping in when I stay too long. I rarely spend time here, and when I do, it fills me with dread because my father is far from pleasant to be around.

After all, this man is Edward Carmichael III.

He controls everything related to our family.

And that includes my life.

“I don’t understand why I have to marry Nicholas now?” I answer, mustering the strength to put my foot down on this matter. “Don’t you think two people should get to know one another before committing to a life with each other?”

My mother keeps her expression blank. When it comes to my father, he rules the family with an iron fist. The only time my mother has a voice is when the house is being redecorated. He’s not concerned about the style of drapes on the windows or what fabric for the expensive armchair as long as everything in the grand living room matches.

This man only cares about his reputation.

And I, as his youngest daughter, will ruin it if I don’t marry Nicholas King.

His jaw locks, eyes turning dark while he stares at me with his usual resentment. I don’t know why he’s so cold, but this is nothing new. He was never a loving father. He’s not the type you see in movies who sits beside their child at night reading their favorite stories. Not once has he told me he loves me or shown any kind of fatherly affection.

“Gabriella, perhaps my instructions are not clear,” he continues, his tone laced with grit. “We don’t marry for love. We marry for duty.”

I glance at my mother, given that the comment is demeaning to their marriage. Never have I ever seen any romance between them. To be honest, I don’t know if they even sleep in the same bed. Occasionally, my mother kisses my father on the cheek when he leaves town for business, but even then, it’s forced and distant.

My mother clears her throat, catching my father’s attention.

I wait, with bated breath, praying she’ll be on my side for once.

“Listen to your father, Gabriella. He knows best.”

An ache spreads in my chest as the realization begins to sink in. My life is not mine to live. I’m stupid to think that being an adult means making my own choices.

After I graduated high school, my father allowed me to attend college. However, it was only because I fought him hard, and in the end, my mother convinced him it would be good for our family’s reputation to have a daughter who was intelligent enough to graduate from an Ivy League school. Those four years were the best time of my life. They ended precisely two years ago, and since then, I’ve avoided being traded in the marriage market…

… until now.

My father stares at me with a heavy, unwanted gaze. I swallow heavily, desperate to tell him I won’t marry Nicholas King, let alone be treated this way. All I need to do is find the courage to tell him it’s my life, even though everything I have is tied to my father. He’s made sure of that.

“Are we clear, Gabriella?” my father asks impatiently.

Taking a deep breath, I attempt to shake my head but stop dead in my tracks.

I need time to plan my escape.

From this family and this life I have no control over.

Suddenly, my mouth opens on its own accord. “One summer away from here,” I say in an unsteady voice. “Then, I’ll marry Nicholas.”

A sinister laugh escapes my father.

My mother raises her brow, surprised I have even challenged him.

“I gave you four years in college, Gabriella,” he reminds me as if he handed me a winning lottery ticket. “What makes you think you deserve more time to…” he pauses, his gaze piercing, “… do what exactly on your summer break?”

My heart is racing, filled with hope and determination to find my purpose. When I returned from college, I thought my father would look at me with pride and give me the freedom I desperately crave. I was wrong, and now I find myself trapped in this home once again.

“If Nicholas King is to be my husband, and I am to fulfill the duties as his wife and to this family, please let me have this summer to myself. Once summer ends, I will return and walk down the aisle to seal the deal.”

My father appears ready to break out into laughter again, which is odd considering he has no sense of humor, and his laughter only means he’s ridiculing me for being a fool to question his authority.

“Perhaps, Edward, let her go. Besides, I can handle all the wedding plans myself.” My mother turns toward me, eyes blazing with a sneer on her rosy, stained lips. “We will tell society you are visiting hospitals to expand our charity. Your wedding announcement will be published on the exact day of your return. You will not embarrass nor shame our family on your summer break. Or else, Gabriella, you will suffer the consequences of your actions.”

The consequences?

They wouldn’t be so bad if I had something to my name.

A single dollar to call mine and start a new life.

Yet, I’m surprised my mother is voicing an opinion. It’s as if she’s telling me to go, standing up to my father like she has a backbone for once.

“I will allow you one month, not an entire summer break, to do whatever you insist on doing. The marriage will take place before the next election. Am I making myself clear?”

I nod once, agreeing to his demands.

This triumph should be worth celebrating, but instead, I wait for further instruction from my father because this is far from over.

“You may leave next week after our dinner with the Kings to announce the wedding will go ahead.”

The dreaded dinner.

As much as I want to avoid the dinner where Nicholas and I sit in silence while our lives are planned out before us, I know my luck will get me only so far.

“Yes, Father,” I simply say.

Silence falls over the room while I wait for my dismissal from this conversation. My father’s stare is unrelenting, his stern words echoing in my mind.

I can not, will not, destroy our reputation.

If I do, I am nothing.

I will have nothing.

“You may leave the room,” Father finally announces.

I’ve never left the room so fast, running down the long hall toward the gardens to breathe in the fresh air I so desperately crave.

One month is all I have to taste freedom.

I dream of sunshine, the ocean, and the taste of salty air on my lips. Beach houses, bike rides, long walks, and watching the sunset.

A smile graces my lips, but as alive as the dream becomes, reality chases it like a hunter following its prey. It won’t be long until I’m back here, walking these gardens in a wedding dress my mother insists I wear. My father will have chosen the guests carefully, and every wedding detail will be strategically planned to ensure our family stays on top of society.

I’m destined to be captive.

Unless, of course, some knight-in-shining armor sweeps me away from the hands of my father along with this godforsaken world and shows me how to fight for the one thing I so desperately want.

Freedom.