Chapter Two: The Breakout

"What will happen to Rick?" Viviane asked, her voice trembling as she stared at her parents. Sadness weighed on her heart.

Her father's face remained stern, but her mother's eyes glimmered with the excitement of a plan coming together. "You'll leave him, obviously," her mother said, brushing off Viviane's concerns as if they were tri if not yes?"

Viviane's voice hardened.vial.

Tears welled up in Viviane's eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. Her chest felt tight, as though it might collapse under the pressure of her family's expectations. 

"You didn't even ask for my permission before agreeing to the marriage!"

Her father scoffed, his voice sharp.

 "And what would you have said

"I'm not leaving Rick," she said, wiping the tears from her face and squaring her shoulders.

Her father slammed his hand on the table, his anger flaring. "Then don't consider yourself my daughter anymore!"

Stunned, Viviane stormed out of the house and made her way to Rick's place. She found him pacing in his tiny room, his face shadowed with worry. After she explained the situation, Rick's expression shifted from disbelief to heartbreak.

"You can't do this to me, Viviane," he said, his voice shaking. "You can't leave me. I thought you loved me."

"Of course I do," she replied, her voice breaking.

"Then you must refuse this marriage," Rick said, desperation in his eyes. "Tell them no."

Viviane shook her head, tears flowing freely now. "You don't understand. It's not that simple."

As the conversation stretched into the night, neither of them could find a solution. When Viviane returned home, exhausted and emotionally drained, her parents were waiting.

"Welcome back, Viviane," her mother said, her voice firm. "You must marry into the Petras family. This is our only chance to turn our lives around."

Viviane stared at her mother, struggling to speak. 

"But what about Rick?"

Her mother's tone softened, but her words stung. "Rick can't take care of this family. Don't you want us to be happy?"

Unable to argue, Viviane went to work the next day, her heart heavy. She met Lucid for the first time since the announcement. 

Viviane forced a polite smile as Lucid approached her. His sharp features and tailored suit screamed perfection, but his cold demeanor sent shivers down her spine.

"Good morning," she greeted, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

Lucid stopped a few feet away, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.

"Don't get your hopes too high," he said, his tone as frigid as his expression. "This marriage is just for business."

His words struck like a blow, leaving her momentarily speechless. She opened her mouth to respond but hesitated. What was there to say?

Lucid tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering.

"You should know what you're getting into. I don't do love, Miss Viviane. And I certainly don't do fairy tales."

Viviane swallowed hard, nodding slowly. "Understood," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucid studied her for a moment longer before walking away, leaving her alone with her thoughts. As she watched him disappear down the hallway, she felt a mix of anger and sadness.

"So it's not even about love," she thought bitterly. "Just a contract. That's all I'll ever be to him."

Later that day, Rick called her.

"So you've decided to stop calling because you're with your 'husband' now?" Rick's voice was bitter.

"Don't say that," Viviane replied, her voice cracking. "You know how much I hate this. We need to talk"

"Then why are you going along with it?" Rick pressed when they were together.

Viviane sighed. 

"I don't have a choice. My family depends on me."

"Then run away with me," Rick said.

Viviane hesitated. 

"Run away? To where? Your mom's place? What will people say about me?"

Rick's frustration boiled over. 

"So you'd rather stay and marry him than be with me?"

Viviane felt a sharp pang of disappointment. 

"You're no different from my family, Rick," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "You're only thinking about what's best for you.

 "But you're not leaving just like that. You're leaving with me," Rick insisted, his voice rising in desperation.

Viviane turned her gaze away, her thoughts racing. "And go where, Rick? What happens when we run out of money? Do you expect me to live a life of uncertainty, running from one place to another?"

Rick stepped closer, his frustration evident. 

"At least we'd be together, Viviane. Isn't that what matters?"

She shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes. 

"You're not thinking this through. How would my family survive without me? They're depending on me, Rick. I can't just abandon them."

Rick's voice softened, but his words cut deep. 

"So you'd rather sacrifice yourself for people who didn't even care about your feelings before deciding your future? They sold you off like a commodity, Viviane."

Viviane flinched, his words hitting a nerve.

 "Don't say that. They're my family. I owe them everything."

"And what about us? Do we mean so little to you?" Rick's tone was accusatory now, his insecurity surfacing.

Viviane took a deep breath, her voice trembling.

 "This isn't just about us, Rick. I'm trying to do what's best for everyone, even if it kills me inside."

Rick stared at her, his hands clenched into fists. "You're making a mistake, Viviane. A big one."

She couldn't take it anymore. 

"Maybe I am," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But at least it'll be my mistake to live with."

Without waiting for a response, Viviane grabbed her bag and stormed out of his house, leaving Rick standing there, defeated and broken.

Back at home, her mother entered her room, her expression softer now.

Viviane sat on her bed, her mother perched beside her. The older woman's face was etched with concern, but her tone carried an unmistakable resolve.

"I know what you're thinking," her mother began, her voice soft but firm. "You think your father and I don't care about your happiness. But that's not true. We're doing this because we love you."

"Love?"

 Viviane's voice cracked as she looked at her mother, tears brimming in her eyes. 

"If you loved me, you wouldn't force me into something I didn't agree to."

Her mother sighed, reaching for Viviane's hand. 

"It's not just about love, Viviane. It's about survival. We're drowning, and this marriage is the lifeline we've been praying for. Can't you see that?"

Viviane pulled her hand away, her heart aching.

 "So you're saying I have to sacrifice my happiness for the family?"

"It's not a sacrifice, sweetheart," her mother said, her tone pleading now. "It's an opportunity. A chance for a better life—not just for us, but for you too. Do you think Rick can give you the life you deserve? Do you want to struggle like this forever?"

Viviane didn't answer. Her mother's words stung because they carried a grain of truth.

"One day, you'll thank us for this," her mother continued. "And you'll see we only wanted the best for you."

Her mother left the room, but the guilt lingered, weighing heavily on Viviane's heart.

The next morning, she woke with a splitting headache, her mind racing with the events of the past days. Her phone buzzed with missed calls and messages from Rick, which she ignored. A new message appeared from Mrs. Petras:

 Don't come to work today.

For the first time in days, Viviane felt a slight sense of relief. She stepped outside to eat something before taking her medication.

"Why aren't you at work?" her mother asked.

"Mrs. Petras told me not to come today," Viviane replied.

"She probably wants you to start preparing for the wedding," her father said, smiling.

Viviane's stomach churned. "This marriage is just a contract, Dad. It's not about love or worth. It's business."

Her father shrugged. "Even if it lasts only three months, I'd still agree to it."

Later that day, Rick showed up at their door. "Can I see Viviane?" he asked, his voice shaky.

"She's not feeling well," her father said, shutting the door without waiting for a response.

Viviane sat in her room, staring blankly at her phone. Her mother's voice broke through her thoughts, calling her downstairs.

"Your in-laws just dropped this off," her mother said excitedly, holding a box. "Your wedding date has been fixed."

"When? So fast?" Viviane asked, her voice barely audible.

"Next Wednesday!" her father exclaimed.

Viviane's heart sank. The walls seemed to close in around her as her parents buzzed with excitement. Her phone rang. Lucid's name flashed on the screen.