Chapter 1

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The thunder continued from the afternoon of July to the evening, but no rain could come out, as if the mother nature was trying to show her anger on people.

In front of the villa of Martinez family in the west side of the city, a young lady, who was wearing her senior year's school uniform, stood dreadly in front of the main gate, staring at the future hell of her life.

Maribelle Robins cried uncontrollably, as if her eyes cried in place of the sky, and walked away to her house after her father had messaged her about a marriage offer from the billionaire Eric Martinez.

The echo of her footsteps seemed to chase her while walking on the dark street. Every step was nothing but a monster's roar.

Upon stepping in her small villa, Maribelle gave her school bag to the family's butler, who had told her that the master was waiting for her in the living room. Maribelle went to meet her father thinking about his message when she was in her class.

On seeing Maribelle, her father, the CEO of a bankrupting company, dragged her hand and made her sit on the left side of the sofa close to him, while her stepmother and stepsisters were sitting on the right side.

He handed over a file saying: "Ms. Maribelle, I have been waiting for an elegant lady like you to marry my son. Sincerely, Alan Martinez.

Rania opened the file and saw a picture of a handsome young man in a gray suit, he was a male model and he was adored by the fairer sex for his gold hair that was coiffed to perfection. He carried a button nose well and his angular cheekbones carved down towards a flinty jaw. He had a slight smile on his face while holding a glass of wine.

"Father, what is this?" asked Maribelle as she pointed to the file in her hands

"Good girl, I was waiting for you to ask." Chuckled her stepmother "You know that after two months, you will turn 18 and officially an adult. So, it is the perfect time to get you married."

"Father, what does she mean??"

"This is Eric Martinez." Started the father "The CEO of Spear company, he is 28 years old and he will be your official husband by next week, on Wednesday at 8:00 pm."

"Father!!! Are you really serious? What on this planet earth do you think you are trying to do? Are you trying to matchmake me with an older guy??"

"Maribelle, sweetheart, I was only trying to make a good choice for you and all of the family members."

"Your father's company is getting bankrupt." Claimed the stepmother "And the Martinez have offered us a marriage offer in order to help us. They said that we must choose a girl of our three to marry his only son."

"And you chose me, the youngest of all, to marry that guy, father? Are you selling me to a rich dude??"

"It is only that you are the fittest, dear!" claimed the father

"The fittest?? Maria is 26 years old and Hana is 22 years old, so who is the fittest between us??"

"Little Maribelle," called Maria "for being the illegitimate daughter you surely talk a lot."

"Father had no other choice." Stated Hana "A daughter of a prostitute is totally different from the daughter of the mistress. We are sorry for you being the prostitute's daughter."

"Prepare yourself, tomorrow at 9:00 pm we will meet the family." Ordered the father "Please, do not be late."

The sound of their laughter echoed in the hall and she looked at her father as if she begged for his help, however he only replied with silence. She did not want to believe what was happening with her, as if it was merely a nightmare that would end by the next day, or maybe she had only trusted that her father would find a solution soon.

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"I heard you are getting yourself a wife." Laughed Erin, Eric's younger brother, as if it was the most fascinating idea in the world. And Eric wanted to punch that ridiculous grin off his face, however he could not. Not because he did not dare to, but because he did not want to give his father another opportunity to display how much of disappointment he was, just as ever.

"Get out Erin!!" roared Eric "Get out if you do not want to die!"

Control and restraint were Eric's special traits. He was known for his tolerance, apathy, indifference and patience. However, that time he was really angry.

"What about that girl?" asked Erin "Rosetta?"

"What about her?" mocked Eric

"Do you still have feelings for her?"

"None of your business, Erin!"

"You know that you are banned to marry Rosetta, so try to act mature, big bro. this girl is cute, smart and polite, I might have taken her as my wife if father was not insisting on providing you with a wife and some kids, so he is only caring for you."

"I know this, no need for your advices."

"I have never seen you this angry before."

"Then, just get out!! Now!!"

Hearing the bedroom's door open and shut, he jumped his body into a bath soak, to ease his mind. It would be the last one until he would meet his bride by the next day.

He did not know a lot about her, other than her name, her birthday 1 March 2001, her looks, and a few small facts about her included in the file. Just like the same way she had known him, an easy arranged marriage with slight information to know about both of the groom and the bride.

However, he did not really care about all of these info and that he was older than her with 10 years gap, as he did not love her and he already had another girl in his heart. Rosetta Williams...