Chapter 1

"I can't buy such an idea from you?" Emma said in a coarse voice to Mrs. Detroit.

"My idea isn't that bad if you think it through." Mrs. Detroit said while standing beside the white hospital bed. 

"There is nothing to think about here, your idea is just as unbelievable like you're. How do you want me to marry a man I have never met in my life, don't even know how he behaves just because of money?" This time Emma spoke with a heavy voice. 

" Well my idea isn't a bad one at all if you look at it with an open mind you know!, Besides you should consider my idea because your brother lying here on this hospital bed has no means of survival if you don't source for money to treat him, and you know your father is no more alive to foot the bills! " Mrs. Detroit said to Emma is a voice that screamed wickedness.

"You are unbelievable, I can find other means to raise money for to treat my brother, but as for your idea of me marrying someone for money, it's a big NO!" Emma said this as she began to rack her head thinking of ways to raise money quickly to treat her brother who was lying helpless on the hospital bed. A brain surgery was meant to be carried out on him but they couldn't proceed because of financial issues.

"Are you done thinking" Mrs. Detroit said mockingly to Emma. "Have you thought of ways to raise money to treat your helpless brother? Or do you want him to die here knowing fully well that you could have done something to save him?" 

Emma raised bent her head as tears started flowing freely down her cheeks. "Fine, I have no other choice than to consider your idea. I just want to see my brother get healed and come back to life again." Emma said sobbingly.

"Good for you Emma. You will never regret this! I will inform your your husband to be and he will coming anytime soon to see you". Mrs. Detroit said as she turned around from the spot where she was standing and left the hospital ward. 

Emma was left alone in the ward, she thought of what her future will be like, staying forever with a man she doesn't love, and how she will cope with it. She stood up from the seat she was seating on and left the ward. 

"Am glad you finally accepted my offer Emma!" Ethan said to Emma as she was shocked to hear the voice that spoke to her. 

Emma was a bit terrified and stood still as she turned her back to see who spoke to her. "I guess you're the man my stepmother wants me to marry? She spoke harshly.

"You don't talk to me in that manner young lady." Ethan said to Emma with a stern face that depicted a boss who don't tolerate nonsense. " You're the one helpless here and I helped you, you should be thankful for that."

"I don't think so Mr. Whatever you call yourself." Emma tried to feign dominance as she stood face to face with Ethan. 

" We will see who will feel sorry soon. Prepare for our wedding Emma. It's holding in the next two days." Ethan smiled wickedly as he turned around and walked towards the door.

Emma followed suit and headed home. At home, Emma fell into her bed as she burst out in tears. She was tired, confused and devastated at the same time. " How can I be getting married to a monster like this?, Is this how my life will be like for the rest of my years on earth?" This was all she thought to herself. 

Emma was completely lost in her thoughts and didn't hear the knock on her door. She turned slowly to look at the person who opened her door. She was surprised to see her stepmother standing in front of her holding a package that looked like a gift box.

"Seems you're already missing your new husband Emma." Mrs. Detroit said mockingly to Emma. "You know, marrying a man like Ethan is a deal many girls will never allow pass them by. He is every girl dream, he has money, he is handsome and very influential at that. And you simply got him without struggling at all yet you don't appreciate it." Mrs. Detroit was emotionally blackmailing Emma so that she won't see any bad idea in marrying Ethan. 

"Why are you here?" Emma asked Mrs. Detroit while looking at her with eyes that could kill. "If you don't have anything to say to me, just go away from me."

"Ooh, about why am here, this is the cloth your husband Ethan purchased for your wedding. Your wedding is in two days time and you should get prepared for it". Mrs. Detroit let her last word trail as she turned back and left the room while banging the door so hard the walls shook.

Emma turned around and a thought came to her mind. She quietly sneaked past their main door and moves down the street as she take a walk to clear her already clouded mind and head. 

Back in Emma's house, Mrs. Detroit was smiling to herself as she walks towards Emma's room to deliver a message another package to her. She knocked heavily on the door and there was no response. Mrs. Detroit got angry and pushed the door open. 

"Emma! Emma!! Emma!!!, Where are you? " She asked as she immediately enters the room jamming the door behind her. To her utmost surprise, Emma was not in the room. Mrs. Detroit became furious and turned around to go search for Emma. As she turned to leave, she bumped into Emma who was standing in front of her. 

"Where have you been you silly girl?, What do you think you're doing, don't try and do anything devious or I will make life miserable for you. Mrs. Detroit fumed in anger "now take this shoe, it is for your wedding. Don't do anything stupid."

Emma collected the shoe from Mrs. Detroit and walked into the room and sat on her bed and then a heavy knock landed on her door.