Adrian's POV
I stand rigid behind my desk, the phone clutched tightly in my hand, my father's voice a relentless demand in my ear.
"Dad, I can't do this," I grit out, my frustration seeping into every word. "I refuse to be entangled in these husband-wife games. Leave me out of this.
"His voice grows sharper, the weight of his authority pressing down on me. "Adrian, mind your tone. This marriage is not a mere union of husband and wife. It's about solidifying our future, our dominance.
"My anger boils over, a surge of defiance rising within me. "Damn it, Dad! I won't be a pawn in your manipulative schemes. I won't condemn her to a life she never signed up for!"
The line crackles with tension as my father's voice slices through the air, cold and unyielding.
"You will do as I say, Adrian. You will marry Kyeler and seal this alliance, or you will face the consequences," he declares icily.
Fury consumes me, my fist slamming down on the desk with a resounding thud, my eyes blazing with defiance.
"Fine!" I spit out the word, each syllable dripping with resentment. "I'll play your game. But mark my words, Dad, I won't forgive you for this manipulation."
As I hang up the phone, a heavy silence settles over the room, the weight of my decision pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. I turn to the window, staring out into the cityscape, my mind a whirlwind of anger, resentment, and the daunting reality of the path ahead
***
Kyeler's pov
The opulent hall of the mansion brims with an uncomfortable tension as I, clad in my worn-out university clothes, stand defiantly before my imposing uncle, my exhaustion masked by unwavering determination.
"I will not be a part of this so-called 'marriage alliance'," I declare, my voice ringing with defiance. "I have my own ambitions, and I refuse to be bartered like some commodity."
My uncle, a formidable figure exuding power, regards me with a mixture of disappointment and simmering anger.
"Kyeler, you must understand the importance of this alliance. It is for the benefit of our family," he insists, his voice carrying the weight of generations of family expectations.
"I don't care about your family's politics!" My fury surges, my voice echoing through the grand hall. "I will not sacrifice my dreams for your gain!"
As my words reverberate off the ornate walls, the imposing double doors swing open, revealing Alexie standing at the entrance, a malevolent smirk twisting his features.
"Oh, look at the brave little cousin, defying our dear uncle," Alexie taunts, his voice dripping with malice.
Before I can react, Alexie strides forward with purpose, his hand connecting with my cheek in a resounding slap. The sharp sound echoes through the hall, shocking everyone present.
I stagger back, my hand instinctively rising to my stinging cheek. "How dare you!" I seethe, my eyes blazing with a potent mix of fury and humiliation as I turn to face Alexie, my uncle watching on with a cold, calculating gaze.
"I will not be intimidated! I will not be forced into this marriage against my will!" My voice trembles with righteous anger, my defiance unwavering despite the pain.
Uncle's voice cuts through the charged atmosphere, his tone deceptively calm. "Kyeler, think about what you're doing. This is an opportunity for you, for us."
"I refuse to be a pawn in your game," I retort, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "I will make my own choices, no matter the consequences."
With that resolute declaration, I whirl on my heel and stride out of the grand hall, leaving my uncle and Alexie standing in stunned silence, the echo of my determination lingering in the air like an unspoken challenge.
The tension hangs thick in the air as I, my tired eyes blazing with defiance, stand tall before my formidable uncle.
"Kyeler, you are being foolish," my uncle admonishes, his voice tinged with disappointment and impatience. "This marriage alliance is crucial for our family's future."
"I will not be a part of this," I state firmly, my resolve unwavering. "I have my own ambitions, and I refuse to be traded like some pawn in your game."
My uncle's patience wears thin, his voice sharp with warning. "You will marry Adrian Smith, or you will face the consequences."
"I would rather die than be forced into a marriage I don't want," I declare, my voice filled with steely determination.
Before I can brace myself, my uncle's anger explodes. With a swift, brutal motion, he delivers a kick to my stomach, the force of it sending me crashing to the cold, unforgiving marble floor.
Gasping for air, tears of pain and anger stinging my eyes, I manage to push myself up to my knees.
"How... how dare you..." I choke out, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and agony.
My uncle looms over me, his expression cold and menacing.
"You have until tomorrow morning to decide, Kyeler," he hisses, his voice dripping with malice. "Marry that bastard Adrian Smith, or face the consequences."
Clutching my stomach, my resolve hardens. Through gritted teeth, I manage to speak, each word laden with defiance.
"I will never marry him," I vow, my eyes blazing with unyielding determination. "I will never bow down to your demands."
Summoning every ounce of strength, I gather myself and stagger to my feet. With a final, defiant glare at my uncle, I limp out of the grand hall, leaving behind a stunned silence and the ominous weight of his ultimatum hanging in the air.
The shadows of the mansion's corridors seem to close in around me as I struggle to stand, my body bruised and battered from my uncle's kick.
Before I can catch my breath, Alexie, his eyes filled with rage, grabs me by my hair and drags me further into the darkness.
"Let go... please..." My pleas fall on deaf ears as Alexie's grip tightens, his anger consuming him.
"I need to show this whore her place," Alexie spits out, his voice dripping with venom as he unleashes a torrent of abuse.
"You will learn to obey, Kyeler. You will marry Adrian Smith, or I will make sure you regret ever defying our family," he growls, each word laced with malice.
With brutal force, Alexie begins to rain down blows upon me, each strike sending waves of pain through my battered body.
"Stop... please... I'll... I'll do it..." My voice breaks with pain and desperation as I finally succumb to the overwhelming force against me.
"Yes... yes, I'll marry Adrian Smith..." The words leave my lips like a bitter admission of defeat, the weight of my decision crushing my spirit.
Alexie pauses, a cruel smirk on his lips. "That's better, dear cousin. Now, remember your place."
With a final cruel kick, Alexie leaves me crumpled on the cold floor, my body trembling with pain and shame.
As I lay there, the weight of my decision settles heavily upon me, the knowledge that I have sacrificed my dreams for the sake of survival.
"To escape this hell, I have to marry... Oh God help me," I whisper, tears choking my voice. "Mama, papa... I miss you..."
Summoning all the strength I have left, I push myself up from the floor and stagger to my worn-out room, each step a painful reminder of the choice I have made.
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Eternal Whispers
RomanceJoin Kyeler Johns, a woman of fierce determination, as she navigates the treacherous waters of a forced marriage to the enigmatic billionaire, Adrian Smith. Feel her heartache as she confronts the bitter reality of being a pawn in her uncle's game. ...
