"Liar!" Lisa snapped, her voice sharp and accusing. "I am sure you did this because you knew we were planning to get Clara married to Mr. Roman! You are doing this to get back at us!"
Patricia froze, her mouth parting instinctively in shock. What? If Lisa's outburst was true… then who had orchestrated the marriage? It couldn't have been Lisa, she would never hand over someone like Roman to her. It had always felt too perfect, too surreal. But the old woman does not care about her marriage prospects, and her father barely noticed whether she even ate. If not Lisa, then who?
"Quiet!" The old woman thundered, slamming her hand against the chair's armrest. She turned to Lisa, her eyes dark with fury.
The room fell into dead silence.
So, the old woman knew. They were planning to marry Clara off first. Of course, classic favoritism, classic family betrayal.
"A marriage certificate can only be nullified if both parties agree to a divorce," the old woman said coldly. "And judging by your words, your plan has failed." She inhaled deeply before delivering the verdict: "You will marry Roman Blackthorn."
Gasps erupted across the room.
Patricia's heart plummeted. Her legs felt weak beneath her. No…
Clara broke into sobs, flinging herself into her mother's arms as she always had since they'd started living together. Lisa clutched her daughter protectively, eyes blazing.
"Granny! How can you do this to Clara?!" She cried, her voice breaking with rage.
But the old woman wasn't done.
"Clara will marry Collin Blackthorn, the cousin of Roman Blackthorn," she said, her tone final.
Patricia's lips parted in disbelief. Collin?
Her thoughts spiraled. "Collin… Collin is a Blackthorn?" She muttered under her breath.
No. That couldn't be right. There are so many Collin in the world. But then again… he was at Roman's house earlier. They did seem familiar. Were they really cousins? Or had Roman simply called him over to expose her?
Why couldn't anything in her life go right?
She had never even asked for Collin's surname. It didn't matter back then to her, she would always assume he came from a middle-class family. As long as he wasn't wealthy or part of the elite, she didn't care. But now, in hindsight, there were so many things she hadn't thought to ask, so many blanks left unfilled.
They had first met at a conference back in college. He had reached out later because he was interested in her article, and one conversation had turned into many. Eventually, they started dating online. The second time they were meant to meet was supposed to be the day she went to the marriage registry but that day had spiraled beyond recognition.
Could he really be a Blackthorn? Or was there a mistake somewhere?
The old woman's next command cut through her thoughts like a blade.
"Lock her in her room. She is not to leave unless I give the order."
At once, two maids stepped forward.
"I will go myself," Patricia said quietly before they could lay a hand on her.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out, the maids trailing her in silence.
Unbeknownst to everyone, the mother and daughter duo shared a satisfied smile while all eyes remained elsewhere.
Two days later.
Patricia remained locked in her room, meals brought to her like a prisoner. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered in silence. Ironically, for someone who used to enjoy hiding away in her room to avoid people, the confinement now felt suffocating. And this time, they took away her phone, no calls, no messages, no escape. She had no way to reach Zara… or Collin.
The past two days had been hell. Endless hours spent sitting in silence with a storm raging in her head. She didn't even know if she could save her relationship with Collin. But right now, that wasn't the top priority. The marriage certificate tied to Roman loomed over her like a curse. If she didn't act fast, the old woman would marry her off for good. She had to find a way out…any way.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Patricia looked up, brows narrowing. That was fast, she just finished breakfast. Why were the maids back?
"Miss, the old woman demands your presence in the receiving room immediately," one of them announced curtly.
A chill crept down Patricia's spine. Why now? What does she want this time?
Her curiosity outweighed her hesitation. Without asking questions, she followed the maid, each step toward the receiving room making her heartbeat louder, faster. The receiving room was reserved for special guests. Whoever was inside… this wasn't casual.
When they arrived, Patricia took a deep breath and stepped inside.
She lifted her gaze and froze.
A soft hiccup escaped her lips as her eyes landed on Collin. He stood silently at the far left, near the old woman, fully visible, painfully so.
"She is here," the maid announced before stepping out and shutting the door behind her.
"This is my oldest granddaughter," the old woman said, not even glancing at Patricia's way. "I apologize for her appearance. She is underdressed."
Patricia blinked in disbelief. That's the introduction?
The man sitting before them, aged, refined, commanding, nodded with interest. So this was their grandfather.
Collin's gaze met hers. And for a moment, she saw it…the longing, the conflict. But it disappeared just as fast.
"What are you doing?!" The old woman snapped, her voice slicing through the tension. Patricia dropped her eyes and stepped forward, standing silently beside her.
"Ah, I see," the old man said with a pleased smile. "She's as beautiful as the rumors say."
Patricia barely registered his compliment. Her pulse roared in her ears.
Then, finally, Roman spoke from the shadows.
"Let's not waste time. If you are willing to let her take the position of second wife, then the marriage can proceed."
Everything in the room seemed to freeze.
The old man's smile faltered. Patricia's heart slammed against her chest. Second wife? Her breath caught as she turned sharply to the old woman, who remained composed, indifferent, as though this were a routine transaction. They were marrying her off as a second wife? Not even a first?
"We understand and have no objections," the old woman said coolly. "All we ask is that she produces your heir. We do not care who you love."
Patricia felt the last shred of her strength drain from her. His heir? That's all she was worth to them?
"No wedding ceremony," Roman added. "She moves in tomorrow morning."
"Agreed," the old woman answered without hesitation.
Patricia turned, slowly, helplessly to Collin.
He said nothing. Did nothing. Just stood there as they auctioned her off like a piece of property. The man who once said he loved her didn't even flinch.
But then again… could she blame him? She had betrayed him first. And now, it was her turn to pay the price.