She took a deep breath as she dialed her mother's number. The phone rang and rang, until finally, on the second ring, her mother's voice came through the receiver.
"Hello honey, how are you?" But the question went unanswered, as Emily stood in stunned silence, unable to speak.
"Honey, are you there?" Her mother asked, growing concerned. Finally, Emily found her voice.
"Yes," she said, her voice shaking.
"Listen, honey," her mother said, "there's something important that we need to talk about." Her words were calm, but there was a hint of anxiety in her tone.
"Hold on, Mum, I have something I need to tell you first," Emily interjected. "Today; I received a package, and inside was a ring in a small box. There was also a letter, which said that I'm going to be married in seventeen months, to a man named Robert Rawlings."
Emily's mother was silent for a moment, absorbing the information.
"And not only that, the letter said that you were aware of this and should have informed me about it," Emily continued, her voice now shaking with anger. "Mum, please tell me this is some kind of joke, and the letter was accidentally delivered to me. There must be other people named Emily Kevan out there - I can't possibly be the only one." Her tone was desperate, pleading with her Mum to make this all go away, to tell her it wasn't real.
"I'm so sorry, honey," her mother began, but Emily cut her off before she could continue.
"No!!!" She exclaimed, her voice ringing with frustration and disbelief. "I can't hear that! This can't be happening! I don't understand why you kept this from me!" She felt betrayed, like her whole world had been turned upside down.
"We're so sorry, and we know you're upset," her Mum said, her voice soft and soothing. "We knew you would react this way, and we didn't want to distract you from your studies."
"How do you think I'm feeling right now?" Emily demanded, her voice rising with each word. Well, I'm reacting the same way, so what difference does it make?" Her frustration and hurt were spilling out, and she could feel herself on the verge of tears. "Just calm down, honey," her mother said, her voice soothing and reassuring. "He's a good man, and he'll be a great partner for you."
She felt her anger rising again, like a cauldron of boiling water that was about to overflow. "I don't care if he's a good man, Mum! I don't want to be someone I don't love and I still have school."
"I know you're working hard on your degree, and that's why the wedding isn't planned until after you graduate," her mother said, trying to reason with her. But Emily was not interested in hearing the logic behind the decision. She was too caught up in her emotions to consider the practicalities.
"I don't want to get married, cause I don't love him, no matter when it's scheduled," she cried, her voice cracking with emotion. "Marriage is a big step, and I want to be with someone I love," she said, her words trembling out in a jumble of emotion. "I love someone else, and that's who I want to get married to. Please Mum, you have to help me. You have to explain to them that I already love someone." A silent plea of understanding was in her voice.
"The contract cannot be cancelled, it's for the benefit of the family, especially you," her Mum said, her tone firm. Emily's heart sank, and she felt like the walls were closing around her.
"How can this possibly benefit me?" She asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "The company that your father co - founded is very important to him and his business partner," her Mum explained. "They started it from the ground up, and have invested a lot of time, effort, and resources into making it what it is today. This contract marriage is a part of an agreement they made to ensure the company's continued success. They've structured it in a way that benefits all parties involved, including you" she spoke with the confidence of someone who had seen firsthand the benefits of the arrangement.
"So, you're saying I'm just a pawn in all of this?" She asked, her voice rising with emotion.
"No, no, that's not what I'm saying," her Mum replied, trying to reassure her. "It's just that an arrangement was made between the founders of the company, and you're part of that arrangement." She paused, searching for the right words.
"Really?" She shouted.
"Everything will be okay," her mum reassured.
"But how can you say that everything will be okay?" She cried, her voice filled with anguish and frustration. "I have someone I want to spend my life with, and you're telling me that I have to give him up," she wiped away the tears that had began to flow, but they continued to fall.
"Please, just try to understand," her Mum pleaded, her voice gentle and understanding.
"Never in a million years did I think I'll be in such a situation," she declared.
"I know you're angry, and I'm so sorry we didn't tell you earlier," her Mum said, her voice breaking. "But the company is very important to our family, and we have to do everything we can to keep it in our hands." She paused, her voice soft and apologetic. "I know it isn't what you wanted, but I promise you, it's for the best."
"I don't care mum, dad's name will still remain in the company, that should be enough," she said.
"It's not that simple, honey," her Mum said, her tone patient and measured. "There are legal and financial aspects to this that you may not be aware of."
"You're not making any sense," Emily replied, her frustration rising once more. "Just let me explain," her Mum said, taking a deep breath. "The company is set in such a way that if you were to marry someone outside of the family, it would cause some problems."
"How do you think I feel, marrying me off to someone I've never met," she answered, as she let the tears fall, her own emotions boiling over.
"I'm sorry, but it's been decided - you'll be marrying him," her Mum said, her voice firm and unwavering.
"You can't be serious," Emily retorted, her disbelief plain in her tone.
"I'm afraid I am," her Mum replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Well then, fine. Give the phone to dad" she said calmly but out of anger.
"Hello, my dear daughter," her father began, but she cut him off before he could continue. "Don't you dare call me your daughter, not after what you and Mum have done," she said, her voice shaking with anger and hurt, "I'm so disappointed in both of you." Her words were sharp and biting, but her father remained calm and composed.
"I know you're upset, but we're sorry," he said, his tone sincere. "Please don't worry, Robert is a good man, and he'll take care of you."
Emily shook her head, her eyes blazing with anger. "You don't get it," she said, her voice rising. "I don't want to get married to him, I love someone else."
"Please calm down," he said, his voice steady and promising. "This is for the sake of the family, and you'll do us all a great service by going through with this."
But her eyes flashed with defiance.
"I won't be caged by marriage to a total stranger," she said, a pleading tone in her voice. She didn't want to betray her family, but she couldn't betray herself either by giving up her love.
"I know you have someone you love," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "But you might end up falling in love with him. Robert is willing to let you pursue your goals and ambitions, and you can be both a wife and a successful woman." Emily's heart sank at the thought.
"Even at that, I love someone else," she said, her voice growing desperate. "Please call off the contract marriage."
"I'm sorry, but this is not up for debate," he said, his voice unyielding.
"But you're not the one getting married," Emily cried, her frustration boiling over. "Marriage is supposed to be about love, not business arrangements. How can you expect me to marry someone I don't know, let alone love?" She felt like she was talking to a brick wall.
"We're sorry, but this is not up for discussion," he said, his voice cold and final.
"But there must be a way out of this," Emily said, her desperation rising with each word. "You're right, there is," he said, but his tone was inscrutable.
"What is it?" She asked, her curiosity piqued.
"You'll see all the details in the documents," he said, his eyes betraying nothing.
"Thanks Dad, Mum. That's all I have to say," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. Without waiting for a response, she hung up the phone and walked back to the couch, her steps heavy with disappointment.
Camilla looked up at her, her eyes filled with concern and compassion. "What happened?" She asked, placing a comforting hand on Emily's arm. Emily sat down beside her, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders.
"Camilla, I'm ruined," Emily sobbed, her words barely intelligible through her tears. "I'm ruined, and there's nothing I can do about it." She collapsed onto Camilla's shoulder, her body racked with sobs. Camilla held her close, rubbing her back in a soothing gesture. "Let it all out, it's okay," she whispered, her voice gentle and calming. "I'm here for you, no matter what."