The next morning, Lana woke up to the harsh reality of her father's plans. Over breakfast, he had announced, without any consideration of her feelings, that the wedding arrangements would begin immediately, and that she would be meeting her proposed groom the following week.
Her protests were continuously dismissed, as her words of pleas fell on deaf ears. Her mother too seemed resigned. Her silence became a painful reminder that Lana's family had chosen loyalty over love, duty over freedom.
As the days went by, her conversations with Hyacinth became her lifeline. Each night, they discussed plans of escape. Plans of running away to a place where they could live freely, beyond the reach of her father's control.
But as the fateful meeting with Gregory approached, the reality of their situation began to sink in. Her father's influence was far-reaching, his grip on her life felt like an iron chain. And the more she fought against it, the tighter it became…
On the night before she was set to meet him, she called Hyacinth.
"I don't know how much longer I can do this, Hyacinth. I feel like I'm losing myself."
There was a pause, and then Hyacinth replied.
"Lana, listen to me. You're stronger than this. Don't let him make you forget who you are."
"But what if it's too late?"
"It's never too late," she replied fiercely. "And tomorrow, when you meet him, you don't have to do anything with him. You don't owe him, or your father, your life. You're your own person. Remember that."
Her words gave Lana a glimmer of hope, a reminder that despite everything, she still had a choice.
***
The next day, as she sat across from Gregory at a lavish restaurant her father had chosen, she felt a rush of defiance stirring within her. He was polite, handsome even, but his smile held a touch of arrogance— a hint of the same entitlement her father wielded so effortlessly.
As he spoke about business and family legacy, she found herself zoning out. Her mind drifted to thoughts of Hyacinth, and the life they could build together if only she could break free.
"Lana?" His voice broke through her thoughts, "Are you even listening?"
She forced a smile, nodding.
"Yes… sorry, I was just lost in thought."
He gave her a faintly amused look, leaning closer.
"You know, I think we could make a powerful team. Our families have a lot in common."
Her stomach twisted at his words which only reignited her father's ambitions in her mind. She wanted to scream, to tell him that she wanted no part of this, that her heart already belonged to someone else.
But instead, she smiled politely, nodding as he continued talking.
That night, she called Hyacinth. Her voice shook as she recounted the meeting, and the empty promises of a future she didn't want.
"I can't do this," she said over the phone, barely holding back the frustration and exhaustion she felt. "Every moment with him felt like a betrayal to myself, to us. I was just sitting there, nodding, pretending to care about some… empty future he was describing. I wanted to scream, to tell him everything, but I felt too trapped."
"Maybe this is the moment to make a stand. You're stronger than your father realizes. And if he won't listen, then we'll find another way. But you can't keep sacrificing yourself for him. Not like this."
Lana took a shaky breath, letting her words sink in. Each time they spoke, she felt a little stronger, a little braver and motivated.
"I just don't know how to tell him, Hyacinth. Every time I try, he just dismisses me, like I'm a child who can't understand what's good for me."
"You don't have to do this alone," she replied assuringly. "We'll figure it out, step by step. And if that means standing up to him… then I'll be right here with you, no matter what."
She let out a sigh, feeling some of the burden on her shoulders ease. But beneath the hope, there was a lingering fear, a quiet reminder of her father's control and the power he still held regardless.
***
The next day came, but instead of clarity, she felt an even deeper frustration. As she sat with her father over breakfast, her resolve wavered under his gaze, the same hardened eyes that had built an empire, now scrutinized her every word, every hesitation.
"I spoke with Gregory's father last night," he began casually, sipping his coffee. "They're expecting our families to make a formal announcement soon."
Her heart sank.
"Dad, I… I don't think I can do this."
He set his coffee down.
"What do you mean?"
She hesitated, seeing the disappointment already flashing across his face.
"I don't love him. I don't even know him. And I don't see a future with someone chosen for me like this."
For a brief, heart-stopping moment, she thought she saw a crack in his stoic expression… maybe a blink of understanding. But then, just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by a cold, unyielding stare.
"Lana, you're my daughter. And as my daughter, there are sacrifices you'll have to make for this family."
The finality in his tone made her feel like she was literally in a cage. She could feel her courage slipping and fading. As she rose from the table, her father's voice cut through the silence, chilling her to the bone.
"This isn't a request, Lana. It's a valid expectation."
That night, alone in her room, she felt as if the walls were closing in on her. Her phone buzzed with a message from Hyacinth:
'Are you okay? I'm thinking of you.'
She wanted to reply, to vent out everything in her heart, but the words were caught in her throat. All she could type was:
'I don't know if I can do this.'
Hyacinth's response was immediate:
'I'm here for you, baby.'
Little did she know that the storm was only just beginning, and she would soon be faced with a far greater choice that would change the course of her life…