AMBER
"Marriage?" my voice finally came out, sounding weaker than I wanted it to. "You... you want to marry me just to settle Father's debt?"
Vincent shrugged, as if what he said was the most sensible thing in the world.
"I'm offering more than that. A contract marriage for one year. After that, you're free. The debt is paid off. Your family I won't touch again. Simple, isn't it?"
"Simple?!" I rose from my seat, my blood boiling. "How can you think this is simple? Marriage is not a business transaction, Vincent! You can't buy someone like that."
He remained calm, though I could see his small smile fading.
"It's not about buying, Amber. It's about saving your family. Do you want your father to go to jail? Or worse, you want me to solve this the other way around?"
"I don't care about your threats!" I retorted, my voice rising. "You have no right to force things like this."
"Amber, enough." My Father finally spoke up, his voice weak, full of guilt. He looked at Vincent with tired eyes.
"Vincent, we appreciate your... good intentions. But this is too much. I can't let my son do this just because of a mistake I made."
Vincent looked at Father coldly, like a lion looking at its prey.
"Your mistake didn't just affect you, Mr. Patrick. It affects your family," Vincent said like he trying to deliberately provoking my father.
"And I came up with a solution that is fair to all parties. This contract marriage will not hurt her. In fact, she will live much better with me than under this pressure."
Mom grasped my hand, her voice trembling as she said, "Please, Vincent. Don't force us to do this. We'll find another way to pay off the debt. Anything, just not this."
Vincent stood up, his steps slow but stressful. "Anything, you say? Don't make promises you can't keep, Mrs. Lucy. The world is not that beautiful. I'm giving you a chance to get out of this. But if you refuse..."
He paused, looking at me directly with a gaze that made my nape crawl.
"I won't wait forever," He continue his words.
"We won't accept your offer," I replied finally, staring into his eyes undaunted despite my trembling body.
"If you want revenge, do it on me. But don't use marriage as a tool."
Vincent gave me a long look before finally sighing.
"You're really rebel, Amber. I like that. But you should know-stubbornness often ends badly."
His eyes bore into us, like an eagle ready to pounce on its prey.
"You guys really have guts," he said softly, but her voice was full of menace. He strode to the center of the room, ignoring our panicked stares.
"I come with a very generous offer, and you refuse it?!"
"Vincent, please," Father said in a pleading tone. "We just need some time to think-"
"No more time!" Vincent snapped, cutting off Father's words. His hands were clenched into fists, his face red.
"I've given you a choice. I gave you a way out! And you... reject me?"
"You can't force us," I said, standing in front of Father. My voice was shaky, but I looked him straight in the eye.
"Marriage is not a game, Vincent. I will not marry you, no matter what you offer."
He gave a short laugh, but there was no humor in it.
"You talk as if you have a choice, Amber. Have you forgotten who stands before you? I'm not a man you just reject without consequences."
Mom stepped forward, holding my arm tightly. "Vincent, please. This is our home. Don't bring your anger here. We can talk."
"Talk?" Vincent turned to her, his tone sardonic.
"Do you think I came to talk? I came to take what is rightfully mine."
I gasped at his words. "I'm not property, Vincent, you have no right to me, to my family. We reject your offer, and that is final."
Vincent moved closer, only inches away from me. I could feel his hot breath.
"You think this is a game, Rena? You think I'll just walk away just because you said 'no'? The world doesn't work like that."
He waved a hand, and one of the big men behind him stepped forward, grabbing Dad's arm roughly. Father groaned in pain.
"LET HIM GO!" I shouted, trying to pull Dad out of their grip, but the man was too strong.
"This is only the beginning, Amber," Vincent said, his cold smile returning.
"You have two choices now. You come with me and marry me, or I'll take your father out of this house. And believe me, he won't come back safe."
Mom was crying loudly behind me, while Dad could only look down, his face full of fear.
"You're a coward," I said in a low, but firm voice. "Threatening weak parents just to get what you want. That's not strength, Vincent. That's stupidity."
His eyes narrowed, his jaw hardened. But before he could answer, I stepped closer, challenging him.
"You want to destroy us? Do it. But I won't give in to your crazy games. Not today. Not ever."
He gave me a long look, his cold smile fading. I could see anger on his face, but also something else-disappointment.
"If you refuse, you must pay the money to settle your father's debt now!" Vincent emphasized his words.
I was torn. On the one hand, I didn't want to accept Vincent's crazy offer. On the other hand, I couldn't let my father get into trouble.
"Fine! I'll accept your offer!"
Vincent just pushed my father to the ground. I hurriedly moved over to my father who immediately got up and came over to me as well.
I hugged my father while holding back the tears in my eyes. My chest was getting tight, but I couldn't say anything because I would cry.
"Good girl. You must obey my request if you want your family to be safe," Vincent's voice sounded low, making my hair stand on end.
As I tightened my embrace on Father, I felt strong hands pulling at my body. My embrace with Father suddenly broke apart. I was so panicked that I spontaneously elbowed someone behind me-Vincent. But my attack didn't hit Vincent's face at all.
"Hey, let go of me!" I rebelled.
Vincent, assisted by two of his bodyguards, pulled me away from Father.
"You've agreed to marry me, so I'm taking you away."
