Chapter 1

Chapter One

Shiloh

“Shiloh, we need to talk.” Dad murmurs in a weird voice, making me think something more is going to happen, “I’m sorry.”

As an heiress, I have a legacy to live up to.

Even though I don’t want anything to do with it and I just want to live my life, that is a little easier said than done and there’s no way for me to tell my family off because they are not going to listen to me no matter what I say. They have made it very clear how they feel, and they have been trying to dictate my life even though I do my own thing.

Lately, though, they have been leaving me alone even though it is a bit weird. I don’t know why they are doing that, and it makes me think that he has something planned. I don’t know what it could be, but it does make me feel a bit suspicious because there’s no reason for it to happen that way. I had been asked to come back to the house because my parents had something to talk to me about.

I don’t know what they want but I already know it isn’t going to be good. I try to ignore them the best that I can, knowing that they might try to make me angry or something because they are good at it. I stare at them finally because I have a feeling, they are going to say something that I do not like but I couldn’t be a hundred percent certain about it. I just study him carefully and try to decide where to go with this because I already know how this is going to be.

“So, we have to talk with you about something.” Mom murmurs, giving me a small smile like she thinks she is doing something of a favor to me, “As our eldest daughter, you have a responsibility to this family line. Although I have not agreed with everything that you have done in the past few years, I am afraid that we have come to a decision about what we’re going to do with you. Okay?”

I have no idea what she means by that, “Okay? Am I supposed to care? I doubt you’re going to tell me anything differently than you already are. Like seriously, Mom, I don’t really care about my title. I’m just trying to live my life and I would appreciate it if you would just leave me alone because I don’t want to do anything about it. Okay?”

I don’t know what is going through their heads because it is pretty obvious that they are trying to do something. I don’t like this one bit and I don’t know what they want to do to me. I have this feeling that they have tried to decide my fate and if they are going to disown me. I would be okay with it because I have been doing everything in my power to just make sure that I would never be able to be screwed if they fuck me over. That much I am saying right here and now.

My stomach churns a bit as I wait anxiously for their answer. I couldn’t be sure what they were going to do but it was pretty clear they have something up their sleeve. I couldn’t be sure about it, running my fingers through my hair as I tried to decide what to do about it. I couldn’t be certain about what I’m going to do but I could decide what to do about it.

I’m sure that Mom is going to tell me though.

“We have arranged your engagement to Lark, the Prince of Sol.” Mom explains, making me go incredibly still because I’m staring at her like she had just grown a second head, “And I know that you’re going to try to fight me on this, but I can promise you that it isn’t going to happen. So long as he wants to marry you, but I don’t think that you are going to change his mind. If you go along with this, we will never ask you for anything again.”

It immediately dawns on me what I need to do next and there is no way in hell that I’m going to let them get away with this. I know they must be fucking with me, kind of pissing me off that it has turned out this way, but it is making me wonder what might happen if I’m able to make Lark break off the engagement. I smile to myself and fold my arms across my chest, seeing how my parents look at me with confusion.

“I want that in writing.” I murmur, giving them a look that tells them I am not playing, “If he breaks off the engagement no matter what, you have to leave me alone and you will not force me into anything ever again. Is that possible?”

Mom and Dad exchange looks as if they are trying to decide what they are going to do. I couldn’t be sure what they were going to decide but I knew there was no way that I was going to agree unless they did this for me. I’m going to make sure that Lark knows that he is going to break up with me and I’m going to make sure that it happens. I don’t want to be forced into a relationship and I want him to know that.

I’m going to make him regret it.

“Okay, we can agree to that even though we are sure he won’t break it off.” Mom murmurs, smirking, “I hope that you know that there’s no way you’re going to mess it up either. Do you understand me? I don’t need you screwing this up for us.”

“I think the only person you’re going to screw is yourself when you realize you’re going to fail.” I correct her, noticing how her eyes flash with annoyance, “I know that you think that I’m going to be someone that you can continue to fuck over but I’m not going to let you do it. I’m not interested in playing this game, but I know that Lark will realize that he doesn’t want to be with me. I can promise you that.”

I make sure that they know it isn’t going to be easy but I’m going to make sure that he runs away from me. I won’t let my parents win this game because I’m not interested in giving everything up. Not in this way.