Chapter 4 MARRY OR BE DESTROYED

No!" Caroline screamed. "No! this can't be." She ran her hand through her hair as she dropped on the sofa in frustration.

She glared at Annabel.

"why does she always end up getting what I want?"

Samantha rushed towards her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "We can talk to them again," she said, glancing at Annabel, "why would they choose a girl like her?" Her lips twisted in disgust.

Caroline cries grew louder "I want to be an Emerson, Sam."

"What are you talking about?" Annabel asked, staring at them both , confused.

Samantha stood up slowly , her eyes dark and void of emotion.

"Get prepared you will be getting married to one of the Emerson sons." she leaned close, her voice cold. " I just hope you won't ruin it this time."

The news weighed on Annabel like heavy stones. She staggered, shaking her head.

"No... no, I don't want to get married." She snapped, staring at the both of them in disbelief.

"First, you forced me on a date with a guy I dislike so much, and now you want me to marry a complete stranger?"

She smirked bitterly, "just how low are u willing to stoop Samantha.." She had barely completed her words when she felt a hard slap on her cheeks.

"How dare you speak to me like that?" Samantha's voice cracked with rage.

Annabel froze, gently caressing her burning cheeks. Her eyes blurred with tears. Without another word, she turned and ran upstairs, crying.

Samantha watched her leave before turning to Caroline.

"Get ready, we are going to renegotiate" she stared into space, voice bitter. "We won't allow Annabel to become an Emerson.

In a fine dining restaurant, a table was set for three but the tension made it feel more crowded.

Caroline sat upright, adjusting her dress, trying to appear calm and elegant but her feet trembled under the table.

Samantha, on the other hand, was composed.

Across from them sat Mrs. Emerson, elegantly dressed, a soft but unreadable smile on her lips. She watched them both carefully.

"How's Annabel doing?" She asked, sipping her wine. "She should be here with you both. Why are you alone?"

Samantha cleared her throat. "She couldn't make it" forcing a nervous smile. "Actually..... Annabel has been sickly since birth."

she twisted her face, feigning sympathy. "Are you sure you want her to marry into your family?"

Mrs. Emerson remained quiet, her face was calm with her expression unreadable.

"My sister, Caroline," Samantha continued. "Is a graduate from one of the best schools in the world. She's much calmer and reserved but most importantly, she's very healthy. I think she's best fit to be your daughter in law." She reached for Caroline's hand, who was trembling nervously. She gave her a reassuring smile.

Mrs Emerson smirked softly, " I chose Annabel." Her smile disappeared. She glared at them both, "are you telling me I chose wrongly?"

Samantha and Caroline's hearts jumped. They stuttered.

"If we can't arrange a marriage alliance with Annabel then forget it." She said quietly. "There will be no marriage." Her voice was soft but terrifying.

She grabbed her bag, stood up elegantly and then paused. "Oh yes" she looked down on both of them. "You can as well bid goodbye to any business partnership with us."

Samantha's eyes widened as she sprung up immediately "don't worry about that, Mrs. Emerson" she said with a forced smile "I will make sure Annabel marries Daniel."

Caroline immediately stared at her- stunned, angry and betrayed.

"Daniel" Mrs. Emerson turned, brow raised."Daniel is my first son."

Samantha nodded in acceptance. "Yes I know."

Mrs. Emerson tone hardened. "Daniel may be divorced but he's not looking to marry again, Annabel is to marry Reynold."

Samantha and Caroline exchanged looks before turning back to Mrs Emerson.

"Reynold.....your third son?" Samantha's voice broke as she repeated.

"Yes ..... get Annabel ready" she said with a wicked smile, "I hope the next time we meet, it will be good news."

And with that, she walked out.

Samantha dropped stunned on the chair, she slowly turned to Caroline. Her face pale with a bit of concern. "Reynold..... he's a very scary man. I heard he killed his first wife" she stared into empty space.

"Would this really be ok?"

Caroline who stayed silent as though thinking of the best solution.

"Without this marriage alliance we will go bankrupt" she whispered, holding onto Samantha nervously , "I can't become poor, Sam."

Samantha shook her head, tapping her sister's hand in comfort. "We will do everything to make Annabel agree to the marriage" a new fire sparked in her eyes.

Back at home, Annabel curled herself on the bed, hugging her father's portrait as silent tears fell down her cheeks.

A knock came at the door. "Ma'am, madam Samantha is asking for you" the maid called out.

Annabel wiped off her tears, adjusted her clothes before stepping out.

She stepped down slowly, surprised at the group of unfamiliar men she saw alongside Samantha and Caroline.

"What are they up to this time?" She whispered.

"Oh Annabel, come over here" Samantha said with a wide smile.

It was weird. Something was not right.

Samantha would never approach her like- not unless she was up to no good, Annabel's suspicion rose. She became more worried as she drew closer.

Samantha ran towards her, wrapping her arms around her. A rare fake gesture. Led her to the group. "Say hi to Mr. Dante" she said, grinning. "he would be buying our house and the company".

Annabel's eyes widened. she turned to her sister in disbelief. "You are selling the company!" She snapped.

"Yes dear, we have debts we can't afford to pay. We are loosing everything because you choose not to honor the marriage alliance" Samantha replied, her smile fading.

Caroline approached her, eyes burning with judgement. "When dad wakes up, remember to tell him how you failed him."

Annabel's heart bleeds. Her legs suddenly went numb. She fell to her knees. She clenched her fist. Tightening her jaw.

"Stop the sale," she whispered. "I accept the marriage alliance." A few tears escaped her eyes- the house grew quiet.