The drawing room was eerily silent. Ana sat by the window, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of her teacup. The peaceful garden outside stood in stark contrast to the storm raging inside her mind.
Her heart beat erratically, a wave of unease crashing against her chest. Caden's visit earlier—his cold gaze, the way he had spoken of the engagement—had left her shaken.
"The ceremony will be in three days."
Those words kept echoing in her mind like a dull drumbeat, drowning out all other thoughts.
Three days. It was too soon, too fast. She hadn't even had time to breathe.
The door creaked open, and Ana's father entered. His face was stern, as always, and his footsteps were heavy, purposeful.
"Ana," he said, his voice devoid of warmth. "We need to talk."
Her heart skipped a beat as her father approached. She could already feel the weight of the conversation pressing down on her. He was here to make sure she knew her role in all of this.
"The wedding... arrangements are made. Everything is set." He didn't even wait for her response before continuing. "The ceremony will take place in three days. There's no turning back now."
Ana's breath hitched. Three days? That's... too soon...
Her voice was barely a whisper. "Three days?"
Her father nodded, his expression unyielding. "Caden has confirmed it. It's happening, Ana. There's no other way."
Ana felt a hollow pit form in her stomach. Her life had already been mapped out for her, and this wedding was just another chapter in the story she had no say in.
"I've already spoken to him," her father added, his eyes glinting with a cold satisfaction. "The guest list is prepared. The grand ceremony. The prestigious affair."
Is that all I am? A guest list? A name on a piece of paper?
Her thoughts spiraled, but she swallowed them down.
"It's not a choice," she muttered under her breath. Her voice sounded small in the vast emptiness of the room.
Her father's eyes softened for just a moment, but the softness quickly turned to stone. "It's for your future. For our family. You will marry Caden, and you will carry yourself with dignity."
Dignity... The word burned in her throat, but she said nothing.
"Caden will take care of you," he finished coldly, his voice firm, unwavering.
The words cut through the air, and Ana could feel the chill that accompanied them. Her future was slipping through her fingers like sand, and all she could do was watch it fall away.
Her father turned to leave, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Ana remained seated, her hands clenched tightly around her teacup. She wanted to scream, to fight, to throw it all away—but the weight of it all crushed her.
The wedding was in three days.