Chapter 002: The Ultimatum

"Marry Mike Rowling, or try not to return here."

Kaila's voice was like ice, cutting perfectly and sharp across the lounge area. The weak ring of her teacup meeting its saucer reverberated in the harsh quietness, however Cath could gaze.

"Excuse me?" Her voice sounded unfamiliar to her own ears — calmer, more fragile, similar to how she was caught in a horrible where nobody heard her shout.

Kaila didn't actually look into it, her fingers changing the precious stone wristband that got the morning light. "You heard me," she said, her tone isolating, as though she were remarking on the climate. "It's a straightforward plan, Cath. You wed Mike, or you're all alone."

Cath flickered, her psyche hustling to make up for lost time. "You believe I should wed somebody I scarcely be aware? How could I — " She held back, acknowledgment unfolding like a savage joke. "This is about cash, right? Mike Rowling and his organization. That is what's genuinely going on with this."

Kaila shifted her head, a weak grin playing all the rage. "Mike is a decent man, Cath. Rich. Powerful. All that you might at any point require in a spouse."

"All that you want," Cath shot back, the toxin in her voice astounding even herself. "Try not to behave like this is about me. It doesn't matter at all to you what befalls me."

"Try not to be so sensational," Kaila said with a contemptuous influx of her hand. "This isn't just about you. Ponder Mia."

The notice of Mia made Cath's stomach drop. "And her?"

Kaila inclined forward marginally, her demeanor solidifying. "How about you deal with her all alone? Without a task, without associations? Jemma will not hold back to remove you totally, and without this family's help, what future do you suppose Mia has?"

Cath's breath got. She needed to yell, to shout, to contend, however, reality covered in a way that would sound natural to Kaila halted her virus. She'd perceived how Jemma treated Mia — as minimal in excess of a prop when the cameras were on and an irritation the remainder of the time. Assuming Cath left her family presently, she'd pass on Mia to experience childhood in the very poisonous climate that had gulped down her entire.

Kaila's voice relaxed, however, it didn't lose its edge. "Wedding Mike would give you security, and soundness. It would give Mia a future. Or then again would you say you are so childish you'd prefer to drag her down with you?"

The allegation stung, however Cath would not show it. "Mia isn't a negotiating concession," she said, her voice shuddering with outrage. "What's more, nor am I."

Kaila moaned, as though Cath were an obstinate kid declining to see reason. "You generally had such a pizazz for dramatizations. This isn't a discussion, Cath. It's a lifesaver. You've previously lost Alex. Try not to lose all the other things as a result of your pride."

Cath gripped her clenched hands under the table, her nails diving into her palms. "You're mind-blowing. Do you try and hear yourself? You're attempting to auction me to the most noteworthy bidder."

"Try not to be so unrefined," Kaila snapped her tone at long last parting from its cold quiet. "This is about endurance. About guaranteeing that this family stays regarded, regardless of the number of slip-ups that you've made."

Cath recoiled, the heaviness of her mom's words pushing down on her. Botches. That is all she was to Kaila — a progression of slips up to be revised, an issue to be settled.

Yet, she wasn't an issue. She was an individual.

Cath pushed back her seat unexpectedly, the shriek of wood against tile making Kaila glare. "I'm not going with any choices at this moment," she said, her voice firm even as her hands shook. "Not about Mike, not tied in with anything. I want time."

Kaila's demeanor turned frosty once more. "Time won't change your choices, Cath. Possibly you do as I've asked, or you're all alone. No cash, no help, no spot in this family. What's more, don't assume that I will not guarantee Mia remains right where she should be."

The danger was implied, yet it landed like a punch to the stomach. "You wouldn't," Cath said, her voice scarcely a murmur.

"Attempt me," Kaila answered, her tone as cold as the steel in her look.

Cath's chest fixed as she turned and left the lounge area, her strides reverberating in the enormous foyer. She didn't stop until she contacted her room, closing the entryway behind her and sinking to the floor.

Mia. Sweet, guiltless Mia. How had her life become this bent wreck where even a kid's future was utilized as an influence?

Her telephone hummed on the end table, breaking her spiraling considerations. She crept to it, her hands shaking as she opened the screen.

A message from Jemma.

"Try not to make this harder than it must be. Mike's not downright awful. Furthermore, dislike you have better choices."

Cath tossed the telephone onto the bed, the words obscuring through her tears. They'd arranged this. Kaila, Jemma, and most likely even Alex. They'd determined her destiny and allocated life like it was theirs to control.

In any case, they didn't control her. Not completely.

She stood, cleaning her tears and pacing the room. She was unable to leave — not yet. Not without an arrangement. Yet, she was unable to yield, all things considered. There must be another way.

Her eyes fell on the side of her work area, where a little outlined photograph of her and Mia sat. It had been taken the previous summer, on an interesting day when they'd both gotten away from the disorder of the family for an evening at the recreation area. Mia's grin was wide, her small arms wrapped firmly around Cath's neck.

"I'm not abandoning you," Cath murmured to the photograph. "I'll track down away. No doubt about it."

A thump at the entryway surprised her, and she froze. "Cath?" a recognizable voice called delicately.

She delayed, then, at that point, opened the entryway for a break. Mia remained there, grasping her stuffed hare once more, her enormous earthy-colored eyes wide with stress.

"What's up, darling?" Cath asked, her voice relaxing.

Mia wavered, then, at that point, murmured, "Grandmother said you're leaving. Might it be said that you are?"

Cath's heart was penniless at the apprehension in Mia's voice. She stooped and maneuvered her niece into an embrace, holding her nearby. "No, child," she said, her voice firm. "I'm staying put. I guarantee."

However, as she held Mia, another purpose flourished. She was staying put, yet nor was she remaining powerless to resist Kaila.

At the point when she at last pulled back, Mia murmured, "Grandmother said you could wed Mr. Rowling. Do you like him?"

Cath constrained a grin. "Don't you stress over that, alright? I'll deal with it."

Mia gestured, however her little shoulders were as yet tense as she rearranged down the lobby.

Cath stood, her clenched hands gripping at her sides. Kaila had given her a final offer, yet Cath wasn't playing by their standards any longer.

She had her arrangements to make.

What's more, if Kaila thought Cath planned to let her succeed, she was woefully misguided.