Chapter 29

MARCUS

“None of it is real” the words played in my head and I stared at my father in shock.

How did Mariella even know to begin with? Yes the whole arrangement started as a contract marriage but I can't say the same for how it is going now.

I looked up at my father, hoping he could see the truth in my eyes, but he just stared back at me, his expression hardened by disappointment.

It was as if he couldn't understand that things had changed between Nicole and me, that our relationship had evolved beyond the initial agreement.

“Wait, Dad, let me explain," I began, but he interrupted me abruptly.

"What's there to explain? How can you even do this? I didn't raise you to be this way. Is it true that you and Nicole have some kind of arrangement? Do you think I would find that amusing?" He said

“You made me go over to her parents' house to smooth things over, and they agreed for you to marry their daughter," he continued, clearly upset.

"What is all this that I'm hearing?" My dad was getting