AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, yes, whatever. Come on, we need to move.”
* * *
The chill of the evening air bites at my skin as we step out of the restaurant, the celebration turned somber confession now behind us. The church looms just around the corner, and Dad’s pace slows as we near.
“Rafael’s instructions were clear,” he mutters, more to himself than to me, his gaze fixed on the cobblestone path. “I’m to walk you to the church and then leave you to go inside alone.”
Without another word, he turns and hurries away, leaving me alone in the shadow of the church, abandoned at the threshold of my new life.
Most fathers give their daughters away on their wedding day. Mine sold me instead. My life for his.
And Rafael never said a word to me about it.
The urge to run, to flee this fate and reclaim the freedom so recently celebrated, courses through me. Yet, as I glance back at the darkened streets, the reality of my family’s safety, tethered to my compliance, anchors me in place.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I summon every ounce of resolve within me.
With a final glance at the empty street, I square my shoulders and step toward the church. The doors loom large, the gap between them a portal to a world I’m about to enter, one where Rafael waits.
The interior of the church is dim, the only light coming from the stained glass windows, casting colorful shadows on the stone floor.
It’s hauntingly beautiful, a place of worship that now feels more like a stage for the next act of my life.
My footsteps echo in the vast space as I spot Rafael standing near the altar, his figure somber yet resolute against the backdrop of flickering candles.
As I approach, the reality of the situation settles heavily on my shoulders. Rafael turns to face me, his expression unreadable in the dim light.
“Amelia,” he begins, his voice carrying through the silence. “I presume your father told you why you’re here?”
“He did, you bastard.”
He frowns at me, his brows raised. “I’m the bad guy?”
“You’ll kill our family if I don’t do this, right?”
“I would never harm your family. Your father owes money to a man named Victor Ivanov. I agreed to clear his debts for a second time in exchange for your hand.”
I cross my arms, a mix of resignation and defiance taking hold. “And what about what I want? Do I not get a say in my own life anymore?”
He steps closer, his presence commanding even in the gentle light. “I understand your anger, your fear.”
He pauses, and when he speaks again, his voice is softer, almost persuasive. “I will fund your dream of opening a design studio. Your father will be protected from future debts. All I ask in return is your hand in marriage.”
My mind races, trying to piece together the why behind his sudden, overwhelming desire to marry someone like me.
As if sensing my turmoil, he leans in slightly, his voice a soft whisper meant only for my ears amidst the sacred silence of the church.
“Amelia, I know this is sudden, and you’re wondering why I’m standing here, insisting on this union. My need for you is something I can’t fully explain, but it’s overwhelming. It’s not just about wanting you; it’s about needing you in my life.”
His words send a shiver down my spine, not out of fear, but an unexpected thrill.
The intensity in his gaze is unnerving yet captivating. “And it’s not just about what I want,” he continues, his voice steady, “it’s about your safety too. With me, you’ll be safe from harm, no matter what your father does. I promise to protect you from whatever may come.”
I can’t help but admit to myself that I’m drawn to him, his strength, his presence. Yet, there’s a hesitation that lingers, a shadow cast by our significant age difference.
“I can’t deny that I’m...attracted to you, Rafael. But the age gap between us—it’s hard to overlook. How can you be so sure about us?”
Rafael’s smile is reassuring. “The age difference means nothing to me, Amelia. What matters is how I feel about you and how you feel about me.”
