His Forbidden Possession

"Serenity, hon? Where are you?"

I heard my mom calling me downstairs, but I'm still inside the bedroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I don't want it. I don't want to be married, nor entertain the mere thought of it.

"Serenity?" my mom called again, the impatience evident in her tone. "Are you still inside your room? I told you to move quickly. The Continental family was waiting for us."

My stomach churned upon hearing those words. It only made me freeze in my spot, wanting to run away as fast as I could. But if I do that, my parents would surely be disappointed at me. 

After I work hard to please them, I can't let everything go in vain just because of this marriage.

"I'm coming!" I replied, forcing a smile as I opened the door. "Sorry if I took longer to fix myself than expected. I-I'm nervous, maybe because it's Hans."

It's true. I'm nervous, but not because of Hans. I'm nervous that I might mess with that date they had set up for us. I don't like him as a person, what more as his wife?

"Silly. Why would you be nervous? You look great. Vien successfully enhanced your features with the make up," my mom replied, encouraging me with her words. "I'm sure that if he sees you in the restaurant later, he'll want to marry you."

My God. One more thing I hear about that, I'll vomit.

"Well... That's a good thing, right?" I asked, forcing a laugh. "I heard the Miller and Continental Group were forming an alliance to compete with the other high-ranking companies. Is that... the reason for this marriage?"

Please, say no. Please tell me that this marriage was for my sake, and because you love me and you wanted to protect me.

Maybe if I hear those words, it would help me to endure this arranged marriage longer.

"Of course." Mom grinned from ear to ear. "You know that the easiest way to form an alliance is through an arranged marriage, right? Your dad and I were lucky to have a daughter. What could have happened if we didn't have you?"

Hearing those words shattered my heart into pieces. 

For them, I was just a puppet. A robot they could use whatever they please, and dispose of me when I'm not useful anymore. 

I knew that even before, but I still tried to gain their approval. I always try to make them happy even if it means losing mine.

How could they do this to me? How... could they endure seeing me suffering for the sake of their greed?

"Serenity..." I heard my mom call in a sweet, gentle tone. "You're thinking this is unfair, aren't you? Because we're choosing the man you're going to marry?"

"I-It's not like that, Mom." I sighed, my gaze fixated on the floor. "I just thought... I could decide when it comes to this aspect."

It was them who chose everything