The morning sun slipped into my room in thin, sharp rays, spilling across the floor and pressing against my eyelids.

For a moment, I thought it was the ordinary brightness that disturbed my rest, until I realized a shadow stood in the doorway.

The light blinded me, turning his face into nothing but a silhouette, until my vision sharpened. My heart stopped.

Father.

The word echoed in my mind, trembling as though even my thoughts dared not believe it. My eyes widened, trying to make sense of why he, of all people, would be here.

My father rarely acknowledged me unless it was through strict commands, dismissive remarks, or silence so heavy it made me feel like an intruder in my own home.

What are you doing here whispered in my mind, though of course he couldn't hear me.

"I came to talk to you," he said simply. His voice was calm, almost too calm, and it struck me harder than any scolding ever had. For the first time, I was hearing a conversation from him, a father speaking to a daughter, not a master addressing an obligation.

The weight of it unsettled me. Was this sudden attention because of… the marriage?

My thoughts raced to the whispers I had been hearing, the plans brewing in the house, the name Nighthorns haunting the halls like a curse.

"I'm here to talk about your marriage with the Nighthorns…"

His voice faltered, pausing as though the words cut his tongue.

A shiver prickled across my arms. Goosebumps climbed my skin, and for once, it wasn't from fear, it was from the strangeness of the moment.

"Our company is going down the drain," he confessed at last. His shoulders sagged in defeat. "I just need you to consider this… consider our pack."

I stared at him, wide-eyed. His words were heavy, but what struck me most was the tremble in his voice. Father, the man who had always appeared unbreakable, always distant, always proud, looked as though the weight of the world had finally broken him.

My instinct was to reach out, to place my hand on his trembling arm.

But the doctor's warning rang in my ears, Don't strain yourself, don't push your body beyond what it can handle. I hesitated, my hand stopping midair.

"You're our only hope," he whispered, and then, like a sudden storm breaking through a dam, his face collapsed, and tears fell.

I froze. My father was crying.

The sight pierced me.

No matter how harsh he had been, no matter how many times he had made me feel small and unwanted, in that moment, he was just a man… my father… begging for help.

My chest tightened, and guilt crawled up my throat. I couldn't bear to see him so vulnerable.

And then, just as quickly as it came, he wiped his face, pulled himself together, and turned away. Without another word, he left my room, leaving only silence behind.

I sat still, stunned.

Do not marry the Nighthorns. Senar said

She said they were dangerous. She warned me, pleaded with me. But my father… he's in pain. He's terrified. He's losing everything he built. Regardless of how he treats me… he is still my father.

This was my chance. My chance to prove that I loved him, even if he never truly loved me back. My chance to show him that I wasn't a mistake, that I wasn't useless, that I could save him.

The thought burned inside me, pushing me to my feet. I didn't even think, I just ran, determination etched into every step. My answer was ready, written in my heart and on my hand, waiting to be given.

But just as I reached the door, Kendra appeared, blocking my path.

"What are you so excited about?" she sneered, her eyes narrowing as though she had caught me doing something forbidden.

Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and I clenched my jaw. I wanted to brush past her, but she lingered, forcing me to stop.

"Looks like someone woke up on the right side of the bed," she added, smirking.

I am in a pleasant mood.

Unlike you, Father, for once, was nice to me.

Kendra's smirk deepened, mocking.

"Well, don't get too comfortable in your fairytales. We have guests coming over today. And you're coming with me."

The sudden shift knocked the air from my chest. Guests? Now?. Kendra was dragging me into her schemes again.

I turned sharply, storming back into my room and slamming the door behind me. My chest heaved, anger boiling.

Oh, I hate her so much!

I thought furiously, clawing my hands through my hair.

I ripped open my wardrobe, only to be smacked in the face by a puff of dust.

Coughing, I peered inside. Everything looked old, eerie, forgotten, like the wardrobe itself had been left behind to rot.

I searched desperately until I found something halfway decent, a dress that was still dusty but less offensive to the eye. It would have to do.

"It's time to go!" Kendra's voice rang out from the hall, sharp and impatient.

I pulled the dress on, forcing myself out of the room.

We stepped outside, the sunlight harsh compared to the dimness of my room.

Ahead, Father and Adrian stood by the window, their figures dark against the glass. I caught a glimpse of their faces just before Kendra pulled me toward the car.

"I just spoke to her," Father said, his voice carrying faintly through the open window. "It's a done deal."

My breath caught.

"What if she doesn't agree?" Adrian's voice replied.

"She's my daughter," Father answered coldly. "She's gullible.

Always seeking attention."

The words struck like a dagger. My chest tightened, breath stuttering as I stumbled mid-step. Kendra kept walking, oblivious, but I froze.

"I told your mother to take her out," Father continued, his tone low and smug.

"So she can ponder and act on our… niceness."

I turned slowly, eyes wide, heart breaking. He had planned it.

Every word, every tear, every crack in his voice was all a performance.

"I thought no one could make her change her mind," Adrian said, glancing toward me, but didn't know I was listening. He even waved, a cruel smile on his lips.

Father chuckled, lighting a cigarette. "We'll have our answer in an hour. But in the meantime, I suggest you get ready for the wedding."

The smoke curled around his words like poison, seeping into me until it was all I could breathe.

My heart… shattered