Married By My Father's Debt

No, I can't do this dad!

It was a nice weekend evening. I had just gotten back from a terrible trip. My bag felt super heavy. And was dragging behind me. Then dad drops this news on me like it is nothing. "Freya, you are going to marry my friend's son, the prince."

I just froze. I. My brain stopped working. "Dad, I do not even know him. How can you expect me to live with him? He is a stranger and I will have to be with him forever?" My voice started shaking. "No, dad. I will disappoint you this time because I am not ready for this. I just can't think about it now."

He did not even flinch. He was as calm as he could be. It was like our family was falling apart and my whole life did not even matter to him. "Get ready to go meet him because you two are going to be for life " he said, like he was reading from a script or something.

My throat got tight. I opened my mouth but I had nothing to say. There was silence. I grabbed my bag. I needed to get out of there. I needed some air or something.

I drove to this cafe on the side of the road. I do not even remember driving. I just parked, walked in and ordered a coffee. I sat down by the window. I tried to think. I tried not to cry. I tried to scream.

"Can I sit down?" This guy asked in a polite voice. His eyes were dark like something was hiding under his calm face. I nodded before I even thought about it. He sat down. I could not look away. He was handsome and strong. It was just ridiculous. My brain was all over the place.. He did not even notice me at first.

"Hi, are you okay? You look worried. Is something wrong?" he asked.

"I am fine just thinking " I said, blinking fast and my heart beating really fast.

He smiled a little. It felt huge. "Anyway you look beautiful."

He got up and left just like that.. Of course I could not stop thinking about him. His smile, his voice, it was all nonsense. I do not even know him. Yet I wanted to know him. I wanted everything. I watched him leave until he disappeared.. He was still in my head laughing or maybe smiling and making life feel not so heavy for a moment.

Hours later I drove home. My hands were tight on the wheel. My mind was spinning. I was thinking about the cafe, the stranger, dad and my little sister Amelia. There was too much on my mind and I could not process any of it.

"Welcome back sis. Where have you been? I called you a lot of times. You did not answer. Dad is really down and we had to rush him to the hospital " Amelia said.

My chest sank. "What? How? He was fine hours ago."

"He just slumped and stopped talking " Amelia whispered.

I felt my knees get weak. "Which hospital?"

"The one on company road."

I drove off as fast as I could. My heart was. My leg was trembling. My hands were shaking too.

"Doctor, doctor I am Freya Williams, dads daughter. Where is my father? I need to see him " I said.

A man in a coat appeared. "Can we talk in my office? It is better " he said gently.

My legs almost gave out. "Doctor what is wrong?"

"Miss Freya, please be strong for your family. I am sorry we lost him " the doctor said, with pity over his face.

"No." My voice was. Almost disappearing. Tears blurred everything. I buried my face in my hands. I was broken, helpless and lost.

I gripped the steering wheel as I drove home. Tears were slipping down my cheeks and this voice in my head was echoing. How could I break the news to Amelia?

"Is dad okay? Did he say anything?" Amelia asked.

I could not answer her. My mouth felt heavy. The tears would not stop. A minute later I finally composed myself and broke the news.

"Dad is dead. He died even before I got to the hospital."

I felt her pain immediately. My little sister was broken. She cried all night without stopping. I tried to console her. The grief was just too heavy.

Days turned into months. After our fathers funeral in the evening I went to his room to look for some documents related to the family business. While I was going through his wardrobe I came across a letter. I was curious. I had to know what it was about.

Inside the letter I found an agreement that I was not ready for: "If you fail to repay $1 million in two years your first daughter will be given to my son in exchange for the debt or I will take over your company." It was signed by His Majesty Ethan Arthur and my dad Dr. Williams Harry.

I froze. We only had two months left. My chest twisted and breathing became difficult. Why did dad not tell me about this? Why did no one tell me? Was that why he pushed the marriage?

The few nights I wandered around the streets. Thoughts were bouncing through my mind. Dad, stranger, Amelia and the company. The clock was ticking fast and loud. I could not marry a man I did not know.. The thought of keeping the company alive and protecting Amelia felt like a trap tightening around me.

Yet sometimes I could not help but think about him. The stranger at the cafe, his smile, his voice. I hated myself for it.

Amelia asked me many questions at the same time. "Freya, what do we do? Can we save the company? What about me?"

I do not know yet I held her tight. Whispered, "We will figure it out together."

That night staring at the ceiling I thought about the life dad had planned for me. The one I did not want. The world suddenly became huge and scary. I let it swirl with fear, anger and grief.

And then a small stubborn voice echoed in my head: "I will not be anyone's pawn not now, not ever."

I repeated it over and over again. I tried to feel it in my bones, tried to mean it and tried to plan it.. The thought was still there much stronger than the little voice in my head.

Some minutes into the night I called my friend Chloe to tell her that I would be moving in with her along with Amelia to start a new life. I was scared of this decision. I was also working towards it. Chloe was happy to hear that because she had always wanted us to live together under the same roof.

I wandered out the morning, my hands shoved in my pocket, my legs moving automatically and my thoughts kept looping. My brain kept insisting on the stranger even though I did not know him.

Before afternoon I called Amelia to get her things ready because we would be moving in with Chloe in one week's time.

A black SUV had just driven in. Two hefty men and a man dressed in royal attire. Tall dark intimidating face and athletic body. His men looked mean with strict faces and muscular bodies moving like they owned the place.

"Freya! dads friend, His Majesty is here " Amelia said.

Amelia had been with dad since day one so she was familiar with anyone who came to the house. She knew all of dads friends and business associates better than I did.

The king!

I felt like disappearing when I heard that word but I could not. Standing to face whatever he had to do seemed like the option rather than running away.

"Hi, Freya. Hi, Amelia. How are you both doing? I am sorry I have not come since the loss of your father, my friend. I have been busy with palace matters and business. Please forgive me, my children, " the king said.

"We are doing fine, Your Majesty. Though we miss him much there is nothing we can do about it. I understand how busy you have been and trust me we are not angry at you. Thank you Your Majesty for coming. We really appreciate it."

"Freya, can we talk outside?" the king asked.

My pulse hammered against my ribs. I kept glancing over my shoulder. Okay Your Majesty I followed him immediately.

"Freya, I want you to come to the palace this weekend. I want us to talk about something. Is that possible?" the king asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty. By what time should I be there?" I mumbled.

"By 4 p.m. On Saturday. Please be there.

Amelia looks worried when I entered inside

"No, Amelia , do not worry. We are okay. Nothing bad is happening. The king just wants to see me on Saturday at 4 p.m. He did not send anyone to hurt us." I explained to Amelia.

I was awake all night. I wanted to sleep. I could not. My mind was thinking about a lot of things.

* Maybe we should leave tomorrow

* Maybe I should go see the king

* Maybe I should ask the king for time when I see him.

I got up. I picked up my phone at 4:50 a.m. I called my friend Chloe. The phone rang. She did not answer. I did not think she would answer because it was very early and she was probably sleeping.

My phone rang again at 7:00 a.m.. This time the number was not a number I knew.

The king was the one who wanted to see me. Now I was wondering who was calling me on the phone. I was curious and my hand was above the screen of my phone. The king and his request were still on my mind.

My phone rang and I saw a number I did not know. My hand stopped moving. My thumb just hovered over the screen. I was shaking a bit. Should I answer it? I wondered who could be calling me from this number. I felt nervous. My stomach turned.

I took a breath and answered the call.

"Hello?" my voice was tiny and scared.

"Freya? It's Chloe." I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I was so glad it was my friend Chloe. I almost dropped the phone. Chloe is my rock, my person.

"Chloe! Oh my goodness, finally! I was worried about you."

"Freya, how are you doing? How's Amelia? How are you dealing with your dads death? Is it holding you back?" she asked.

"Chloe, we are okay. I am trying to move but my dads death has been really tough. We keep going. We are actually getting ready to move to your place like we talked about before " I said.

"Chloe how are you doing well? How is work? I hope you hear from your fiancé. When are you guys planning the wedding?" I asked curiously.

"Freya, I am doing great. Work is fine and my fiancé came around and will be staying for months together while we are planning our wedding."

"Freya, I really do not know what to do. My fiancé has come to stay for months meaning I cannot let you and Amelia come stay with me because there will be no space and my fiancé hates inconveniences. I just hope you understand me. I am really sorry " she said, sounding worried.

At first I did not believe Chloe.. Her voice sounded more serious than a joke or prank. My heart was beating fast, my legs were shaking and I felt disappointed. I just wanted to hang up without saying a word.

Then I thought about it. Chloe had never disappointed me before. Her reasons were genuine.. Why now? Why did the fiancé have to come at this time when I would be needing my best friend the most?

"Hello, Freya, are you there?" Chloe asked after waiting for my reply.

I nodded, trying not to cry even though she could not see me. I finally said something with a cracked voice filled with pain.

"Chloe, I understand you perfectly well, maybe you are in a tight corner. It's no problem. I have heard what you said." I tried hard to choose my words in order not to get emotional and start crying on the call.

"Freya, I know you are a lady. No matter how confused the whole situation might be, you can handle it. Just find a way to figure it out. Face your fears just like you have always done. For how do you wish to run? Come on Freya you cannot run forever. Facing it at this stage will be better than letting it grow past you. Freya stands up to it. Face it and see it through to the end " she said, trying to remind me of what I can do.

When I thought I could not do anything Chloe's words pierced through me and I felt strong again even though I was scared of the next step. Her encouragement gave me courage.

"Thank you Chloe. I really appreciate your words. It has just boosted my energy. I think I will face it no matter what the outcome will be " I said, trying to be strong for Amelia and myself.

We talked about ourselves for a minute before she hung up the call because she needed to go to work.

"Freya, you look worried. What could be the problem? Is Chloe in trouble? I overheard you talking to her " Amelia asked, trying to find out what happened.

"Chloe is fine... it's just that we cannot move over to her place at the moment. She had a visitor already and going there would inconvenience her " I answered, still facing down.

Amelia approached me with disappointment written over her face.

"Freya, what do we do now?" she asked hopelessly.

"Come here Amelia." I hugged her. Told her not to worry. Big sister is here for her. I will sort it out the best way.

After the call with Chloe I wandered around the premises thinking of the thing to do.

I cannot marry a man I do not love. It's not the kind of life I want. I do not want to be a queen to some set of people who will not respect or value me maybe because the king does not respect me.

No I cannot!

I thought of handing the company over to the king. How will I sort my bills and that of Amelia, including her school? Maybe I will look for a job and maintain a low profile. I thought about it. I came to the conclusion of what to do.

Then again I need to discuss with Amelia so that she does not feel left out.

"Amelia! Amelia! Where are you? Come over to my room; we need to talk."

I sat down patiently waiting for Amelia to come. At the time I was thinking about how she would react to the new decision because it will definitely affect her a lot. She will need to pause her schooling for now and continue later. Even though it will break her I still want her to understand my reasons.

"I hope she understands me, " I murmured.

"Freya, I am sorry for not coming out when you called. I was busy in my room " she said, feeling all sorry.

"It's okay Amelia. Are you done? Can we talk now? Do you still want to finish up?" I asked.

"Freya I'm done now. We can talk " she replied while seated.

"Amelia, I will be going to see the king on Saturday.. I will not let anyone control me because of one agreement. Amelia I have thought about it. I came up with something: I will hand over the company to the king. I will look for a job and we will start from there " I said.

"Freya it is a decision.... How do we sort our bills? How do we survive? What if you do not get a job immediately? What about my school?" she asked with a cracked voice of emotions.

"Amelia I'm sorry I have to do this to you my dear. You will have to pause your school for now since you're in your last class. Please just give me a time to fix things and I promise to send you back to school. I did not plan for this. You know how everything started. Please try to understand me. I know in the beginning it is going to be very difficult and new but with time we will get used to it."

Amelia did not argue. She went into her room and locked herself up. I could hear her crying from outside.

After some hours I went to her door and knocked.

"Amelia, Amelia! Please open the door. I understand you are hurt. I am sorry. You are making me worried. Please open the door " I said while knocking.

I thought she was never going to come out or talk to me. She responded immediately when she heard my voice.

"Freya, I'm sorry for keeping you worried and reacting that way. I was broken by the news of me dropping school but as long as you are okay with the decision I will cope " she said, coming closer to hug me.

Her words got me emotional. I hugged her. Both of us cried on each other's shoulders.

"Can we take a walk? Maybe to the cafe?" I asked Amelia.

"Yeah sure, Freya. Anything for sis " she replied. She went back into her room to dress up. A minute later she came out looking all cute.

"Shall we?" Amelia asked.

"Yes, " I said. We stepped out. While strolling we were having a conversation about how our lives will be in a few days. Later we were carried away. Did not notice when a car started honking. Pooopoo... all of a sudden everything became dark.

Rain started falling before evening came. It was the kind that taps against the windows. The house felt cold and big. This always happens after funerals. Every sound echoes in a way.

I sat on the floor beside Dads study door for ten minutes before I went in. I did not want to go. The smell of the room would be too much for me.

The study still smelled like coffee and old books. It smelled like Dad. His chair was pushed back from the desk just like he always left it. One of his reading glasses sat beside a document. The lamp was still on from days ago because nobody had touched anything after he died.

My chest felt tight again. It still did not feel real that Dad is dead. The thought came suddenly. It was sharp and hurtful. Dead people are not supposed to leave rooms looking like they are still alive. They are not supposed to leave coffee cups. They are not supposed to leave daughters like Freya feeling confused and angry and walking around in circles every night.

I swallowed hard. Stepped inside. The floor creaked under my feet. For a second I almost turned around. Freya needed to be strong. The company needed Freya. Honestly Freya needed answers.

I walked toward the desk slowly. My fingers touched piles of files. Bills, contracts, business reports. My eyes burned from reading much these past few days. Every paper looked the same. Numbers, debts, signatures, problems. Many problems. Dad had been struggling for a time before he died. Somehow Freya never noticed.

That guilt felt heavy inside Freya's chest every day. Maybe if Freya had paid attention. Maybe if Freya had stayed home often. Maybe if Freya had listened better. My thoughts kept going in circles until I pressed my hands against my face. "Stop, " I whispered to myself. "Just stop thinking for one second."

There was silence. Outside thunder rumbled faintly. I opened another drawer. Nothing. Another one. Still nothing. Pens, receipts, keys. I sighed tiredly. I leaned back in the chair rubbing my forehead. My eyes looked at the bookshelf behind the desk. Dad never liked anybody touching that shelf. Ever. Even Amelia avoided it.

I stood up slowly. The closer I got to the bookshelf the harder my heart beat. I do not even know why. Maybe grief makes people feel dramatic. Maybe pain makes things feel like warnings. I pulled one book out. Nothing. Another. Nothing. Then a brown envelope slipped from between two law books and landed near my feet.

I froze. My stomach twisted instantly. The envelope had my name on it. Freya. Just that. No "my daughter." No long speech. Just my name in Dads handwriting. My fingers felt cold. "No..." I whispered without meaning to.

I stared at the envelope for a minute before picking it up. The paper trembled slightly in my hands. Maybe because of fear. Maybe anger. Maybe both. I opened it carefully. Inside was a folded letter. I knew it was from Dad before unfolding it. I could feel it. My throat felt tight.

The first line alone nearly broke me. "My dearest Freya, " it said. I shut my eyes. God, Dad why now? Why leave explanations after dying? Why not talk to me when you were alive? My vision blurred for a second before I forced myself to continue reading.

The letter said that if I was reading it then Dad had failed me already. The words hurt my chest. I sat down slowly on the floor beside the bookshelf because my legs felt weak. Rain tapped harder against the windows now. I know you are angry with me the letter said. Maybe you even hate me now for arranging that marriage without your consent. Truthfully I hated myself too for doing it.

I blinked rapidly. The letter shook harder in my hand. I was running out of time. I swallowed. No. No no no. What does that even mean? My eyes rushed down the page now. The company debts became worse than Dad allowed anyone to know. He borrowed money trying to save everything. Employees, shares, contracts, our family name. He kept believing he could fix it before it reached this point.

A tear slipped down my cheek before I noticed it. I wiped it away angrily. Dad knew. He knew everything was collapsing and still smiled every morning like nothing was wrong. How long had he been carrying all this alone? My chest hurt thinking about it.

The letter said that Ethan Arthur gave Dad two years to repay everything. Dad thought he could. He truly believed he could save us before the deadline came. Life does not always give chances. I stopped breathing for a second. The king. Again. Everything kept leading to him. I gripped the letter tighter.

I know you do not understand now the letter said. I need you to trust that I never wanted to sell your future. Never. You are my daughter before anything. My lips trembled badly after reading that line. Then why did you do it? Why? I wanted to scream at him even though he wasn't there anymore. I wanted answers that dead people couldn't give.

The room suddenly felt small. Too small. I stood up quickly. I started pacing. Dad arranged my marriage because he was desperate. Because he was scared. Because he was drowning. The anger inside me cracked a little after realizing that. Just a little. The hurt remained. Because now I was the one drowning instead.

I sat back down. Continued reading. The letter said to protect Amelia. That line alone made my eyes sting instantly. She is still young. She pretends to be stronger than she is. Do not let this situation destroy both of you. Promise me that. I covered my mouth suddenly. My breathing became uneven. Amelia. My little sister.

The truth hit harder then. Dad wasn't just thinking about the company. He was thinking about us surviving after him. That realization hurt differently. I lowered my head staring blankly at the floor while memories flooded my mind at once. Dad teaches Amelia mathematics at the dining table. Dad yelled at me for sneaking out at sixteen. Dad falling asleep on the couch with files over him. Dad smiled proudly during my graduation. Dad said, "You're stronger than you think Freya."

My chest cracked open completely. A sob escaped before I could stop it. I buried my face in my hands. For the time since his death I cried properly. Not the quiet tears at the hospital. Not the numb crying during the funeral. This one hurt deeper. Ugly crying. Painful crying. The kind that leaves your body shaking.

Because suddenly I understood something. Dad didn't leave us because he wanted to. He left us trying to save us. Somehow that made everything worse. I stayed there on the floor for a time. Maybe thirty minutes. Maybe an hour. I honestly do not know.

At some point Amelia appeared quietly at the study door. "Freya?" Her voice sounded careful. Small. I quickly wiped my face. It was useless. My eyes probably looked terrible. She noticed the letter immediately. "What's that?" I stared at her for a second before holding it out.

Amelia walked slowly. Sat beside me on the floor. I watched her eyes move across the page. I watched her expression change. Confusion. Shock. Sadness. Then silence. Long silence. Finally she whispered, "Dad was really scared." I nodded slowly. Neither of us spoke after that.

Rain continued falling. The room smelled like dust and paper and grief. Amelia leaned her head against my shoulder quietly. "What are we going to do?" she asked after a while. The question settled heavily between us. Because honestly I did not know.

The company was dying. The king was waiting. Somewhere in the middle of all this madness there was still that stranger from the café stuck in my head for no reason. His smile flashed across my mind again suddenly. Annoying. Completely annoying. I groaned softly. Rubbed my forehead.

Amelia looked at me strangely. "What?" "Nothing." "You made that face again." "What face?" "That face you make when you're thinking a lot." I almost laughed. Almost. "I'm fine." "You're lying." I sighed deeply. "Everything is just too much now."

Amelia stayed quiet for a moment before speaking. "Do you think Dad wanted you to actually marry the prince?" The question sat ugly inside the room. I looked down at the letter again. "I do not know, " I admitted softly. That was the truth. Because the letter felt confusing.

My dad sounded sorry. He really did. He also sounded desperate like somebody who is trapped between the people they love and trying to survive. Maybe my dad hoped something would change before now. Maybe my dad hoped the marriage would never happen. Maybe my dad hoped for a lot of things.

My thoughts stopped suddenly. Something else was inside the envelope with the letter my dad wrote. It was a folded piece of paper. My eyebrows pulled together immediately. I grabbed it quickly because I was curious.

The paper looked older than the letter my dad wrote. There was one sentence written on it. It said, "Do not trust everyone inside the palace." Cold air rushed through me instantly. Amelia whispered beside me "What?"

I stared at the words again and again. My heartbeat became uneven. What does that mean I thought. Who, inside the palace should I not trust? Is it the king? Is it the prince? Is it someone ? I turned the paper over quickly. Nothing else was written there.

That warning was simple and short and terrifying.

Amelia grabbed my arm all of a sudden.

"Freya..." she said to me.

"What" I asked her.

Amelia said "what if my dad was trying to warn us about something".

A chill crawled slowly down my spine as I thought about the warning.

The rain outside has become heavier now. It was hitting the windows really hard.

My mind started racing as I thought about the marriage and the debt and the king and the warning from my dad.

Nothing made sense to me anymore because of the warning.

I stood up fast.

"I need some air," I said to Amelia.

Amelia said "Freya-"

I just said "I just need to think about the warning and what it means".

I walked out of the study away before Amelia could stop me from leaving.

The hallway suddenly felt too narrow. Closed in.

My chest felt too tight as I thought about the warning.

Everything felt too loud inside my head as I thought about the marriage and the king and the warning.

I reached the balcony. Inhaled sharply.

A cold wind hit my face instantly as I looked out at the city.

The city lights stretched endlessly ahead. They were all blurry through the rain.

My fingers tightened around the warning note as I thought about what it said

The warning said do not trust everyone inside the palace.

The words of the warning repeated over in my head as I thought about the marriage.

Suddenly the arranged marriage no longer felt like a business agreement to me.

The marriage felt dangerous because of the warning.

For the time since my dad died I became truly afraid of what might happen to me.

Then my phone vibrated inside my pocket.

I frowned immediately as I wondered who it could be.

It was a number I did not know.

My heartbeat stopped as I looked at the screen.

Rain dripped from the balcony roof steadily as I stared at the screen and thought about the warning.

The phone kept vibrating as I stood there.

I looked down at the warning note again. It said do not trust everyone, inside the palace.

Then I looked back at the phone as I thought about what to do.

My hand moved slowly toward the answer button.

Right before I touched it the call ended and the phone stopped vibrating.