CHAPTER 3

My mom and I were in the ward; there was no improvement in my dad's condition, and he is still in the ICU.

I occupied a nearby chair, and my mom was near my dad sobbing. This woman swore not to give a damn break to me. My hands were on both chins, and I was thinking deeply about escaping from the hell my mom had knitted solely for me.

I glanced at my father, who was breathing through the oxygen mask, beside the monitor, which was a zick-zack indicating my father was still alive. For a brief moment, I contemplated the possibility of the monitor displaying a straight line. I am a monster to think that way, but I can't help it when my whole life depends on that bloody line. I am sorry, Dad, but I can be selfish for at least a few seconds, right?

I don't want to end up tying a knot with a cripple. You both were so good to me and spoiled me wholeheartedly, but now that I ripped thoroughly to explore everything, you are pushing me to marry a cripple. I wish I had a sister who would take my place and save me from everything. I am not able to imagine a life with a cripple. How the hell am I going to lead one?

"Dear visiting time is over; we should go now on the way; we should do shopping too." That snapped me from my misery. Shopping now, don't tell me she has gone crazy by seeing her husband this way, "Shopping?" "Yes, shopping for your wedding, we don't have enough time. Common, let's get going."

When the hell did I give my consent for the bloody wedding? How the hell is she deciding everything for me without even asking whether I am okay or not? This is not fair. She can't sell me this way to a cripple. Can I sue her?

"Are you ok, baby?" Ugghhh. I need a break from this woman; she is definitely my enemy of the decade. "Yes." Princess doesn't snap back. Oh god, should I maintain this princess façade when I am losing everything my whole life?

We were at the mall, and by now I declared my opinion didn't matter as my mom was deciding everything without even caring for my yes or ok. She was swiping leisurely that too, everything branded items. It was almost evening, and she purchased so much and spent thousands together at least; I was in a hell of a shock.

We are floating in the bloody debt, right? How the hell did she end up spending so much in one go?

"Don't you think you purchased too much considering our current status?" Oh god, I am not able to utter the word poor from my mouth. How the hell am I going to accept the new status, 'so-called poor?' At least, from this marriage, my face will be saved, as will our family status. Oh god, still I am not agreeing to this shitty marriage, nope, never.

"Mr. Vincent has given me a black card with unlimited access, which is soon going to be yours." I groaned internally.

Black card with unlimited access, check, check.

"You need anything else, baby?" At last, she bothered to ask me. I shook my head. "We will come back tomorrow by the time you prepare a list of what you want, and I will do the same, ok?" I nodded my head. "I love you, darling, remember you are my pride as always." Give me a fucking break, woman, like for today, at least I am done with you and with the person who is on the hospital bed.

After bidding good night to my mom, I came to my room. I took a long shower. Whatever I was holding from the morning, I lashed everything out. I lay on the bed watching Seal once again, coming up with something to escape the whole ordeal.

I could run from this shitty marriage, which is only a handy and easy option, but with the brain I have, I can't survive a day for sure. This was the reason why I wanted to marry at the age of 20 alone; I couldn't survive anywhere.

I have not googled about my soon-to-be husband, and I don't know why. Nothing useful was going to come if I googled him, as he has given me a glimpse of the worst scenario of him being crippled. I don't have a grudge or anything regarding handicapped people, but my heart is not that big, you know what I mean. I had dreams about my future husband, and what about my long list? My parents couldn't pour water on everything when I was so dependent on them. They can't. I huffed.

My future is doomed. Thanks to my dad, who was a brainy guy in the family once. I was so proud of him, but now he is not only sinking but also dragging us, especially me. I pouted, which didn't have any more effect on anyone.

The next day I and my mom were having breakfast. For the first time after a decade, I saw my mom smile by snatching mine, which is permanently lost now, I guess. I was groaning; I don't know why that smile was irking me.

"Baby, have you googled Lorenzo? If not, I could ask Vincent to arrange a meeting before the wedding." I confirmed she is not my birth mother. "No, I didn't." "I think you did a good thing, dear. After marriage, you will find something to chat with him, right?" "Of course, of course." "I don't think you need to meet Lorenzo too. Only three days left for the wedding; you can meet him at the venue directly, right?"

Right, my prince charming would be waiting with a charming smile, open arms, and bloody fine legs. No offense, please. This woman does know how to trigger me now and then. "You are lucky, dear, considering our current situation. I was so worried about your future."

Please don't tell me she is serious. She is selling me I am not voicing out; that doesn't mean she is not. She is selling her own daughter in return for hefty money. Such a cunning woman. "Dear, are you okay? You are barely speaking." "I am fine. Mom, just too much to digest at a time. Dad and marriage things are overwhelming." "I know how you are feeling; you know we are both proud of you. Thank you so much for agreeing to this marriage and helping us to clear the debt."

I didn't agree with anything, for god's sake, and still, I couldn't wipe the polite smile that I was flaunting. Oh god, I should snap out of my princess mode as soon as possible.