Ava's POV
"What?!" I shrieked.
I felt sick inside, the sudden urge to throw up clouded my vision as I staggered toward the window for fresh air.
What did this old fool just say? To marry him?
To hell with my father and his stupid debt. I wanted to scream at this man so badly for even coming up with such an idea but I couldn't find the words. It was like my lips were sealed shut.
"You don't even have a choice," he added lazily, "Can you even take care of yourself not to mention your sister? You do know they are going to throw both of you out of the hospital by tomorrow morning right?" he said, stating the obvious.
Those words put me on a spot that I dreaded since Mr Miller walked in with his proposal.
But he was right.
My shoulders slumped in defeat as I went closer to my sister and squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"You don't have to do this Ava," she cried, "You've done enough already, please."
I looked at my sister's tear streaked face and resolved to do whatsoever to save her.
With a sigh I turned towards Mr Miller, ignoring the lasers Mrs Miller was shooting at me with her eyes.
Maybe I was born to be one of the Millers after all.
"Can I ask for a favor?" I asked nervously, my voice barely a whisper. I waited until he nodded before I continued.
"Can we skip the part where I have to kiss you in front of everyone?" I asked, silently praying that he would agree to my wish.
The silence that followed after my words was deafening. It was just for a brief moment because the next second, Mrs Miller lunged at me, pulling my hair and saying all sorts of awful things to me.
She can call me whatever she wants, as long as my sister and I get to live!
I stayed still as she hit me and pulled at my hair. The nurses in the room rushed forward and tried to pry me away from her hold.
When they finally succeeded, I looked towards where Mr Miller stood and he had this smile on his face that made my skin crawl. What is he scheming?
"It's not enough that you killed my son, now you want to marry my husband?" She yelled angrily and I flinched.
"I hate this as much as you do, Mrs Miller!" I found myself yelling back at her, "What other choice do I have?" I asked, while tears cascaded down my cheeks.
"Just die!" she spat angrily.
My sister was bawling her eyes out on the bed and I sat down to console her.
"You don't have to do this Ava, please. We can find a way around," she whispered to my ears and I patted her back softly.
"It's okay Holly. You should be resting, don't worry your pretty head about anything else…OK?," I cooed and she nodded hesitantly.
"If you're done with the pity party, I'll be waiting outside so we can get on with the wedding," Mr Miller said from the doorway.
"Please, can it wait till tomorrow?" I pleaded. "I don't feel too good."
"I'm still trying to understand what in the name of all things crazy is going on here!" Mrs Miller barked.
She turned towards her husband angrily.
"What is the meaning of this Richard? Why are you humiliating me in this manner? In front of strangers and this pathetic ugly loser?" She ranted.
"Enough Priscilla!" he growled slowly at her, "It is my money and my fame, not yours and I get to decide what I do with it. This also includes any property I wish to acquire with it," he said, turning to look at me as he said the last part.
I'm a property all because of my father and very soon, I'll become his property.
"You can't do this to me Richard. After all I've been through with you and for you? You dare make mockery of me this way? Is it because my son and the only heir to your wealth is dead? You want a replacement?!"
"Ah! Yes! That's another valid reason," he drawled, "I need a new heir. Someone that will carry on my name and legacy when I'm no more. So who would you have me choose? Young and healthy or old and…,"
"Richard!" Mrs Miller screamed, cutting him off. "I hate you! I curse the day I met you. You're vile and wicked. Both of you can go and rot in hell," she spat and stormed off, almost pushing Mr Miller down.
I rushed forward instinctively, and caught his hand. The smile he threw in my direction made me regret my decision to help him.
"See who is being a dutiful wife already," he teased with a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
I quickly let go of his hands as if I just got burned by a hot iron. He pulled me right back and my chest collided with his. The position was awkward and infuriated me.
I looked up at him from my long lashes and winced. To think I would have to kiss these wrinkled lips and lay with him sent shivers down my spine.
I am only twenty four and this is my second marriage? Not technically because I didn't actually marry their son but still, why does my life have to be this way.
He brought up my hand and held the finger that had the diamond ring up, a dry chuckle escaping his lips.
"You still have my ring on? It is only fair that you be wedded to me now, isn't it?"
"What do you mean by your ring?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
He let me go and started walking out.
"What do you mean by your ring Mr Miller?" I asked one more time, my voice rising slightly.
"Oh, I sent you the ring, not my son. Do you know what that means?" he asked, his back turned to me.
"No," I replied.
"I proposed, not him," he finished and left the room.
I stood there, cold, angry and confused.
"What?" I muttered to myself.