CHAPTER 2

I was watching a movie when my mom came running toward my room and shouted that we were bankrupt. Turn on the news. Turn on the news. "Your dad just called. I thought he was going to handle things, but this time he couldn't." I nodded my head, not getting anything.

My dad was on the front lines of every news channel. My mom was watching the news with tears in her eyes when I took my cell and searched for the meaning of bankruptcy. I know I get a lot; I am a beauty with no brain, irrespective of studying business.

When things finally hit me, I started screaming at the top of my lungs. Trust me, non-stop. I didn't even dare to dream of a life without being rich; now I was on the verge of losing everything. My mom was sobbing, but I started to cry loudly, remembering the future without Penny.

This is not happening; they can't do this to me, not now when I just turned 20 and am eager to lose my virginity with my super-rich handsome hunk.

After a few hours, I somehow pulled myself from the couch and sobbingly made my way toward my room. I didn't utter one soothing word to my mom; she needed it, but more than her, I needed every soothing word that was in the dictionary. After entering, I lay on the bed crying.

The next day, my mom opened the door of my room louder. I was shaken a little bit and was awake. She was crying and telling me something, but my heart was still sobbing to grasp anything. My mom shook me a few times. "Your dad is in the hospital; we should go now. Get ready in 10 minutes." By saying that she ran toward her room, I guess.

I was still in a daze, but the sentence that my dad was in the hospital hit me hard, and I ran toward the washroom.

After entering the hospital, we contacted the concerned doctor, and the word heart attack only entered my head. My mom collected other information about my dad's condition, and we occupied chairs that were placed in front of his ward.

My dad was in the ICU, still his condition critical, and I was in a daze, not at all getting what to process and what not to. As the hours passed, one thing was confirmed: my princess's life was coming to an end. Someone, please snap me out of this nightmare. I need a knight right now.

It's been a week, and my dad is still in the ICU. My mom is a sobbing mess; on the other hand, I am trying my best to hold myself in the daytime, and at night I will cry until I sleep.

Our family is still on the frontlines of the news, especially my dad and the word bankruptcy. I didn't receive a consoling word from anyone; rather, in the group chats, lots of taunting was going on. They dare to laugh at my face, thanks to my family.

I was in my room facing the sealing when the door opened. My mom peeked in to check whether I was awake or not, and she entered. She lay beside me and started sobbing. Give me a break, woman, at least for the damn day.

"I am sorry you have to go through all this. I really thought we would be out of the situation, but I didn't know it had reached this level." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. You guys pushed me to the bottom without mercy. What the hell should I do now? "Your dad's hospital bill is reaching the sky and his debt. We should do something soon." We? Oh, she means me, and my mom obviously as Dad is in the ICU. She can do something as she still has some connections, but what about me? I am of no use; she knows that very well.

She was silent for a few minutes, and I so wanted this, so I welcomed it without uttering a word. My mom slowly sat on my bed, and I also followed the same. My mom was facing me with tears in her eyes. Urggghhh, I need a break for at least an hour.

"There is a marriage proposal for you, and I want you to consider it." My ears perked up. I was so desperately waiting for this day, but I was not that cruel to marry when my dad was in the hospital; that didn't stop my pique of interest. Go on, lady.

"I know what's running in your mind, but you need to consider this proposal." Doesn't she get that she is missing the major details? I don't want to point out and show my desperation just like that. I was nodding my head patiently, waiting for her to continue.

"Don't worry about your dad; once he gains consciousness, I will explain to him everything. Of course, he will be mad at me; eventually, he will understand why we did this, right?" She was eager for my response, and once again, I nodded my head. Details, mom, details.

"About the groom, thank God she came to the point. He is rich, don't worry, in fact, a billionaire. He is rich, check. CEO of his dad's company. Double check. He is tall too. Check, check, check. Masculine. Check it is. I am in for this marriage; oh god, it's finally happening. but that halted my thoughts. He is cripple. That crashed everything. My eyes were wide and bulging.

"What?" She is kidding, right? No way I am hearing this from her. "His name is Lorenzo Maximus, 30 years old. He lost his legs in an accident. If you want any other details, you can google it. His assistant Vincent contacted me two days back and spoke about the proposal and also about clearing the debt. Carolina, I have not asked anything from you, and for the sake of your father, I want you to agree to this marriage. Please don't disappoint me." The conversation ended with her sobbing, and I was pushed into utter shock.

Is she getting work done from me emotionally? Is she considered me a fool? Like seriously, she is a damn good actress, and I am not in the mood to witness her bloody acting skills. My blood was boiling, provoking me to do something. How could she suggest something like this? Cripple seriously.

I am already a fucking laughingstock, and she is making me pour more into the scenario. She doesn't like me. Is she even my mother, or am I adopted?

"Carolina." I was burning with rage. I am holding my best from lashing in front of her. "I am in shock, Mom; there must be some other way. Let's try to find some other way, please." I am pleading because this is me in front of them, a good, soft-spoken princess. I can't let go of that image so easily. That doesn't mean I am cruel too; my parents were so good to me and never gave a single reason to complain in my 20 years of existence.

"Do you think I didn't try anything blindly to agree to Vincent's proposal? I did everything, but things are out of our hands. Trust me, please. We have to clear the debt as soon as possible. You are getting everything, dear, except he is crippled. Think about the same rich life you will lead. If we lose everything, and we end up on the street? Who will marry you? Do you think someone will marry you because of your beauty? If it happens fine, and if it doesn't? What about your dad and debt? Please accept this proposal, and by the end of this week, you are getting married. I have given my words to them."

I collapsed further; thank God, my body didn't hit the floor. I started sweating. Oh my god, I am getting married end of the week. to a bloody cripple?

I am tying a knot with a cripple. I didn't see this coming like for, for, for, nope, never. Cripple. What the hell is she sprouting given her words, and I should just nod my head? I am their only princess; they can't do this to me. I followed everything in anticipation of this day, and she is throwing me to a cripple guy.

"Carolina I am afraid we don't have a choice." Oh, shut up, lady, for fuck's sake. Don't provoke me to sprout something out of my mouth; let me maintain my bloody composure. "Mom but." "Sorry, dear, please make up your mind. Get ready, we need to visit your dad"