Maya's room felt smaller than usual, the air heavy as though it conspired with her pounding heart. She stood near her bed, wringing her hands nervously, when the door burst open. Mrs. Wilson entered with the sharpness of a storm, her silk gown swaying behind her like the tail of a striking snake.
Her eyes burned with fury. "How dare you run away like that, Maya? Who do you think you are?"
Maya flinched, her throat tightening. "I'm sorry, Mom," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I just… I just don't want to get married now."
Mrs. Wilson's laughter was cruel. "Don't want to get married? Such nonsense. Do you even hear yourself? Ann was supposed to be the one standing in this position, but no Ethan chose you. You! And instead of gratitude, you dare act unhappy? Let me make this very clear, Maya. The decision has already been made. You can't change anything."
Tears welled in Maya's eyes. Her chest heaved as she tried to muster courage. "Mom… I can make my own decision. I don't want to get married. Please don't force me."
Her words barely left her lips when Mrs. Wilson bent forward, her perfectly manicured hand gripping Maya's chin tightly. The force made Maya wince, her head slightly tilting upward under the pressure.
"You will get married to him," Mrs. Wilson said, her voice low and cutting, "whether you like it or not. Now wipe those ridiculous tears off your face and get ready to go downstairs. Do you hear me?"
Maya blinked rapidly, the sting in her eyes meeting the sting in her heart. She tried to pull away, but Mrs. Wilson's grip only tightened.
And then, in a voice colder than steel, Mrs. Wilson added, "Do not misbehave again. Or else you won't like what happens to your precious nanny, Emily."
Maya's eyes widened in horror. "No… please don't
...."
Mrs. Wilson's gaze bored into her, sharp enough to pierce through the fragile walls Maya had built around her heart.
"Understand?" Mrs. Wilson asked again, her tone dangerous, almost daring Maya to refuse.
"Yes, I do," Maya replied quickly, her voice breaking.
A satisfied smile tugged at Mrs. Wilson's lips as she finally released Maya's chin. "Good. That's better. Now don't waste time, compose yourself and come downstairs. Everyone is waiting."
She swept out of the room without another glance, leaving Maya trembling in silence.
The moment the door clicked shut, Maya collapsed onto the floor, her sobs breaking free. She pressed her hands against her face, ashamed of her helplessness. The truth clawed at her, she had no real choice. Not when Emily's safety was at stake, she was the only one she has.
Downstairs
Ethan sat nervously on the Wilsons' grand sofa, his legs crossed, one hand tapping lightly against his knee. He tried to mask his unease with composure, but his thoughts were in turmoil.
I never thought this day would come, he admitted silently. His heart pounded harder than it ever had in a boardroom. Just agree, Maya. Please, just agree… and let me take you away from this nightmare. I'll protect you.
How did things reached this level, he could not imagine his life without her.
The room hushed as the soft sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase. All eyes turned.
Maya appeared slowly, her hands gripping the banister, her steps hesitant. She had forced a small, unconvincing smile onto her face. Her dress fluttered lightly as she descended, her posture straight though her insides quaked.
Ethan's breath caught slightly. She looked like a trapped bird trying to convince everyone it wanted to sing.
When she reached the bottom, she glanced at her parents, then at Mr. Carter, then finally hesitantly at Ethan. Her voice shook as she spoke.
"I… I agree to get married."
The words hung in the air.
Mr. Carter's face broke into a wide smile. "Are you sure, Maya?" he asked kindly, though there was a keen sharpness in his gaze.
"Yes," Maya forced out, her hands clasping tightly in front of her. "Yes, I'm sure."
"That's good, my dear!" Mr. Carter exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Now we can finally begin planning this wedding."
"Yes, yes, of course!" Mr. Wilson quickly added, his excitement barely restrained. "It's settled then. The wedding must happen soon."
The two men exchanged a look of mutual satisfaction,
They settled on a date, two weeks from now. Everything would be arranged swiftly, without delay.
Maya's head spun. Two weeks? Her throat tightened as panic surged inside her. It's too soon. Everything is being rushed. I can't even breathe.
She struggled to keep her face neutral, but her body betrayed her. Her hands twisted the hem of her dress nervously, her feet shifted restlessly against the carpet, her eyes darted away whenever someone looked at her too directly.
Ethan noticed everything.
He watched her closely, his dark eyes narrowing as he observed the subtle tremors in her fingers, the way she forced her lips into a stiff smile that never reached her eyes. She was breaking inside, he could feel it.
When she dared to look up, their eyes met. For one heartbeat, it felt like the world paused. Her gaze flickered with fear and confusion, and his with an unspoken promise he could not yet voice.
Maya quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. The thought that she was bound to him, to spend the rest of her life with a man she barely knewfelt terrifyingly strange, but to think of it his really handsome, not that bad.
Ethan, watching her avert her gaze, clenched his jaw. He had no idea how he was able to control himself right.