Annabelle's tear-filled eyes bore into her mother, a mix of disbelief and betrayal evident in her expression. "I can't believe you're supporting Dad. It seems I'm all alone; nobody cares what I want for my happiness," she sobbed, her voice laced with sadness. "Let me make this clear. I'm in love with someone else and will never have anything to do with Raphael. Why not put this energy into finding my brother a wife? Why must I be the one getting married first? I hate you both," she declared angrily, storming into her room.
"You're grounded!" Mr. Christopher's angry voice echoed through the living room as he dropped his newspaper. Turning to his wife, he expressed his frustration. "Did you just hear your daughter? She's becoming stubborn. If she doesn't come to her senses in a few days, she wouldn't like my actions," he threatened.
