What does he want?

Martha's lips curled with a devilish smile as she locked eyes with Lucy. 

"Lucy, dear sister, Mr. Blackwood wishes to partner with our company but he wants me to marry him, just to give them an heir. He is wealthy but lacks social status. I don't want to have anything to do with him because I am waiting for Fredrick Lopez, the man of my dreams. So, If you agree to marry Mr. Blackwood in my place, then my mum will provide the money to clear your father's hospital bills."

Lucy's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. The proposition was cruel and heartless, an attempt to sacrifice her happiness and future for Martha's convenience. She promised to do anything, but this was too extreme.

She shook my head vehemently. "No, Martha! I won't do it. Everyone knows that Mr.Blackwood is a ruthless and wicked man, and you want me to marry him in your place? It's not fair."

Madam Theresa leaned back in her chair, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Lucy, you've always been a disappointment, but you don't have to show your ignorance towards this golden opportunity. This is the only way for you to prove to your father how much you love him and can do anything to save his life. Think about it carefully."

"If you think you won't marry Mr. Blackwood, then you are the biggest joke in the world. Because whether you accept or not, you will marry him," Martha dropped her magazine and said.

The weight of the situation pressed heavily on Lucy's shoulders. She had heard so many dark rumors about Mr. Blackwood and can't imagine spending her entire life with him. Now, she felt trapped, torn between her love for her father and the desire to protect her own happiness.

With a resolute voice, She looked directly at Madam Theresa. "I won't do it. I won't sacrifice my happiness and dignity for your convenience. There must be another way."

Lucy moved a step closer as tears welled up her face. "It is obvious that you chose your contract over the life of the man you claimed to love. Because why would you be so heartless? She got interrupted by the slap on her left cheek from Madam Theresa.

"You need to learn manners if you don't have one." Madam Theresa cussed.

Martha's face twisted with anger, her voice dripping with toxin. She walked up to Lucy with her devilish smile. "You ungrateful wretch! How dare you reject this opportunity? No man would ever come close to you because you stink. You better grab this golden opportunity."

Lucy's eyes were filled with tears, her throat tightened with a mix of sadness and anger. She turned away from her stepmother and stepsister, her voice filled with determination. "I will find another way, no matter how difficult it may be. I won't let you break me."

"Now, get out of my sight. I don't want to see you again! Mrs. Theresa yelled bitterly at her.

Lucy angrily walked inside her room without thinking twice about their offer.

As she laid on her bed thinking about what else to do to raise money, her phone started ringing.

She looked at it for a while but refused to take the call. "Why is he calling? What does he want? She asked as she kept on staring at the buzzling phone.

The call came in and continued ringing until she decided to pick up. "Hello Lucy, how are you doing? The voice from the phone stuttered.

"Alfred, I already told you that I'm done with you. Why do you keep on pestering me? Lucy asked.

"I want you to forget about what happened, please," Alfred pleaded.

Lucy gave a heavy sigh. "Forget about it? How do you think that is possible? We have been together for two years, only for you to cheat with my sister. Now, you want me to forget about it? 

"Since then, you haven't even called to apologize, instead you send gifts to Martha. You have no remorse at all. What do you want now? Lucy's voice laced up with anger and emotion.

"It was all just a mistake. I love you Lucy," Alfred said.

His apologies make everything that happened that day refresh on Lucy's mind.

That day, Alfred told her that he was traveling and Lucy had an important interview to attend. On her way to the interview, a careless driver splashed dirty water on her dress.

"What's the meaning of this? Lucy cussed at the driver who drove off speedily without remorse.

"What are people so mean? You just ruined my appointment that should be in thirty minutes time and you showed no remorse," she kept on murmuring in anger.

Contemplating on what to do next because the company is one of the richest in the province and would not like to attend the interview with a stained cloth because it might ruin her chances of passing.

"Oh, I get that," she said under her breath as she waved down a taxi.

"Please take me to cannon street. House number four," she said to the middle aged driver. She had wanted to go to Alfred's house to get changed since it was closer to company than her house.

After about a few minutes' drive, they arrived at the mansion. She paid off the taxi driver and quickly rushed in.

When she got to the door entrance, there was something unusual, but she didn't mind. 

She used her spare key to try unlocking the door but it wasn't opening.

She tried several times and pushed until it finally did. She ran into the bedroom to get changed, only for her to see her step sister, Martha riding her boyfriend and was moaning so loud.     

She couldn't believe her eyes. They were moaning so loud that they didn't hear the noise all the while and still didn't notice that someone was there.

"Alfred! Lucy screamed so loud.

"Oh, Lucy. You are here. Don't worry, I'll explain," Alfred stuttered, his eyes pleading and his heart beating so fast.

"You'll explain? Explain what? Lucy asked as her face was covered with tears already.

"Obviously, there's nothing to explain," Martha interrupted.

"Alfred, I have kept my body for when we will get married and you promised to do the same. Why did you betray me? Lucy sneered.

"Of course, he should betray you. You aren't satisfying him, so don't blame him for looking out. Martha said. "By the way, we were in the middle of something before you entered, do whatever you want and excuse us," she added.

Lucy couldn't believe her eyes. And the fact that Alfred isn't saying anything baffles her the most.

She picked up her handbag that fell from her shoulder, walked to the wardrobe and picked up her clothes and left in pain.

It's been one year now, and Alfred has never called to apologize, instead he takes Martha with him for dates.

"What does he want? Lucy yelled, immediately she tripped off the call. The pain became more excruciating as though it happened yesterday.

That night, she cried until it was three o'clock in the morning until she finally drifted off to sleep.

Few hours after she had slept, she woke up to the thorns of notifications dropping in her phone. She was surprised by the piles of messages from the hospital.

"Is my father dead? She asked herself as she immediately ran into the bathroom for her bath.

She didn't bother about food at the moment. She picked the necessary things and bashed out of the house in a hurry.