Chapter 2 Secure My Future

The Matthew family gathered around the dinner table, the air filled with Henry's lively chatter. As the head of the household, he rambled on about how delighted he was with Nicole's upcoming marriage, hardly pausing for breath.

With every word her father uttered, Nicole's head sank lower, her appetite fading fast.

Olivia, Henry's wife and Nicole's mother, couldn't help but notice the change in her daughter. Nicole's usual spark had vanished; her face looked ashen, cheeks flushed, and a little swollen. Olivia's mind spun with worry, convinced that something was seriously wrong.

"Sweetheart... Are you all right?" Olivia cut in, her voice slicing through Henry's self-congratulatory monologue.

"Olivia! What is the meaning of this?" Henry barked, his brow creasing in irritation. "How dare you interrupt me, woman?" But Olivia ignored his bluster and turned her full attention to Nicole.

"I... um..." Nicole stammered, nearly choking on her food.

"Is she all right?" Henry snapped. "Ha! Of course she is! I've just secured her future. She's going to marry the heir of a distinguished family!"

"Secure my future?" Nicole murmured, barely audible. She raised her tear-filled eyes to her father. "That isn't true."

Heartbroken, Nicole felt every dream she'd ever had slip away. The shame and humiliation from her encounter with Walter that morning still gnawed at her, refusing to let her go.

She had never dared speak to her father so boldly before-not with the sort of man he was-but tonight, her heart and mind were both unraveling.

"What was that?" Henry shot her a bewildered look.

"Father, I... I don't want to marry Walter. You have to call off this marriage," Nicole blurted out, her heart tightening painfully in her chest.

Olivia and Henry stared at their daughter, utterly stunned.

"What?!" Henry exploded. "Have you lost your mind? You have to marry him. Aren't you happy? You're marrying the man you wanted, aren't you? You should be thanking me, you ungrateful girl!"

"The man I wanted?" Nicole's thoughts spiraled as heat rushed to her face. "Does everyone know I'm in love with Walter? Was I really that obvious?" She lowered her head briefly, drew in a steadying breath, then lifted her chin with sudden resolve.

"I can't... I can't marry Walter!" Nicole exclaimed as she pushed back her chair and stood, tears brimming in her eyes. "Why him? He doesn't love me. He doesn't even want to marry me. Walter told me so himself!"

Silence fell over the table. The air grew heavy and tight, broken only by Nicole's uneven breathing.

Henry seemed to be weighing her words, his expression darkening by the second. The color drained from his face before surging back in a furious red. Beside him, Olivia watched their daughter with quiet, aching sorrow.

"Nonsense!" Henry finally thundered, slamming his palm against the table. The sharp crack made both Nicole and Olivia flinch. "No matter what that idiot said, you will marry him. Everything has already been arranged."

"But he doesn't love me, Father!" Nicole insisted, her voice shaking.

"And what does that matter? Since when has love ever been necessary in a marriage? This is business, you foolish girl," Henry snapped dismissively, disregarding Nicole's words with a scoff.

"I just..."

"You like that fool, don't you?" Henry cut in harshly. "Then that should be enough for you to be satisfied. Play the role you're meant to play as a woman and make him fall for you. At least make yourself useful!" His gaze was cold, filled with contempt.

"But, Daddy..." Nicole murmured, forcing herself to breathe.

"I don't want to hear another word about this, Nicole..." Henry growled, lifting a finger in warning, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"I... No... I don't agree. I can't do it, Father. I won't marry him," Nicole stammered. Her fists were clenched tightly at her sides, and her resolve was clear.

She had already made her decision and told Walter she was calling off the wedding.

"You won't?" Henry fixed his daughter with a piercing stare, his eyes narrowing as he pressed both palms flat against the table. "Fine!" he sneered. "Don't get married, then. But do you even realize what you're costing me with this refusal? The merger of two major companies, the rise of a business powerhouse, enormous profits, prestige, influence-gone, just like that..."

"No... I don't care..." Nicole faltered, her voice trembling as a chill crept down her spine. "We're fine the way we are. We're already wealthy enough..."

"The insolence in this house is unbelievable... Neither my wife nor my daughter has any respect for me!" Henry's face twisted in rage as he slammed the table even harder, the sound echoing through the room. "So you won't get married? Fine. But you'll pay me back for every single thing I'm losing!"

"What?" Nicole gasped, her face contorting in shock.

"That's right. Not only that, but you'll reimburse me for everything I've ever spent on you-your upbringing, doctors, schooling, all the luxuries, every dress and meal. In fact, I imagine the food alone will cost you the most!" Henry snapped, his glare raking over his daughter, brimming with fury.

"Henry, you can't do this!" Olivia exclaimed, pushing to her feet, stunned by his cruelty.

"What do you mean, I can't?" Henry shot back. "I found a husband for this ungrateful child! Who else would even look at her? Just look at her-she's fat and apparently just as foolish!"

"Henry, that's enough!" Olivia cried out, stepping forward, her indignation burning.

"Shut up!" Henry shot back, striking his wife across the face.

"Dad!" Nicole cried out and rushed around the table, wrapping her arms around her mother as Olivia clutched her reddening cheek. "Fine. I accept. I'll do it," Nicole said desperately. "I'll work as hard as I can and pay you back every cent you've ever spent on me, and everything you've lost because of this deal!"

Nicole's body shook as she clung to her mother, instinctively shielding her, bracing herself for another blow. But instead of striking again, Henry drew in a slow breath and straightened, smoothing his suit as if nothing had happened.

"And you think I'd make it that easy for you?" Henry asked coldly, a twisted smile curling his lips. "I'll personally see to it that you never find a job. No one will hire you. You won't even be fit to work as a maid. You've been nothing but a burden, a spoiled, useless child who never once thought about her parents or her future. The only thing you're good at is eating and getting fat. Who would want you like that? Who would ever give you work? Tell me. You stupid girl."

Henry stepped toward them again. Nicole and Olivia both flinched, their eyes squeezing shut as they waited for another strike.

"Listen to me carefully, Nicole!" Henry shouted, his voice sharp and menacing. "You will marry Walter, even if it's the last thing you do. Because if you don't..." His voice dropped into something colder. "I swear I'll make your life unbearable. At least living like a beggar will help you lose some weight. Without my money. Without my food. Without a job. And don't bother looking, because I'll make sure no one hires you. Not even as a cheap prostitute."

Nicole lifted her head, tears pouring down her face as she faced her father. He meant every word. If there was one thing she knew about her him, it was that he never made empty threats.

"And you won't be the only one to suffer," Henry continued darkly as he moved closer. "Everyone will pay the price for your stupidity. Your useless mother will pay too, for failing at the one thing she was good for, giving me a worthy heir. Instead, she gave me a daughter I have to bargain with. A daughter who isn't even beautiful enough for wealthy men to fight over. No. She gave me a fat, foolish girl that nobody wants, not even her so-called friend."

Nicole gazed at him, fury burning through her fear. For a moment, she wanted to speak, to fight back, to be strong enough to escape him and protect her mother.

But the terror he had drilled into her for years crushed the words before they could form. All she could do was clench her jaw and endure. When Henry finally turned away, satisfied that his threats had achieved their purpose, Nicole and Olivia collapsed against each other, their sobs breaking free as they cried uncontrollably.