He was surprised by my sudden action.

"Adaira, what are you doing here?"

"Listening from the keyhole, now answer me.", I said crossing my arms over my chest. "Do Imean nothing to you? Am I just a piece of paper to use in a business deal? Do you not haveany feeling towards me, aren't you at least a bit asham-"

"Silence!" he said. The word wasn't shouted, but was enough for me. "I am your father! Isthis a way to talk with me?"

"I didn't know a father sells his daughter."

"I am not selling you... why don't you understand? Anyways, Dalgliesh is far better than that
Army man."

"If you're saying this, I doubt you know him..." I told him.

"What I am trying to say is, that he is nothing compared to Dalgliesh... Dalgliesh is a wealthyand well-known man... you'll live like a princess-"

"A slave is more acceptable." I rolled my eyes.

"I know Adaira, it's wrong... but what can an old man do? When he has access to all myproperty? What will we do if he takes control? Where would I take you and your mother?"

"My brother... he exists... he'll save us... We'll do what we did last time..."

"I am his father... not the other way around! We just want his signature on the paper andeverything will be fine... and for that, you have to marry him."

"But earlier, you said that he should have signed it the day you fixed the wedding... right?"

"Yes... but, he didn't... I think you have listened to the reason too." He rolled his eyes and satback.

"If he is cheating, then why should we keep all the promises?", I asked.

"That's why you're my daughter." He smirked. "I thought that too, but he didn't sign did he? Iwould have saved you but you can't keep your mouth shut and can't stop babbling 'I won'tmarry', 'I will do something', you wrote this fate of yours, Adaira Louise Jannet MelanieGeorgette Ambrose." He shouts.

"So, you have to marry him now... because of your own stupidity." He finished.

That struck me... why am I feeling guilty? How on earth was I supposed to know his plan?

He didn't even give me a hint!
I can't just let it happen again, those memories are so bad... I can't let my mother sufferagain...

But I can't marry Dalgliesh either...
Idiot, idiot! I should have written my problem in the letter to Lilly.

We can't do anything now. If I plan to do something to stop this
wedding, we'll still be on two roads.

I can't marry Dalgliesh, but I have to.

A tear rolled down my left cheek. I wiped it and grabbed those property papers.

"Ok, then I will, and will take the signatures too.", I said and got out of his office.

Leaning at the door I exhaled deeply and tried to think of a way Dalgliesh will accept I am not
going to prevent this marriage anymore.

But how could I?

"Nice chit-chat huh?" I jumped high at the sudden voice near my ear.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked Dalgliesh.

"Listening through the keyhole." Hemocked. I stared at him.

"Come on do you think only respected Ladies are allowed to do so." He winked.

"Absolutely not." I suppressed a smile. Straightening up, I moved forward to go down to myroom.

"Ah, Lady Adaira, may I have a cup of tea with you?" He said from behind. I could feel himsmiling. "In my office room?"

I know he is testing if the things I said to my father are true or not.

"Of course, Lord Dalgliesh." I turned and gave him my most pleasant smile.

~~~~~~~~~
I was sitting quietly on the chair, when Rose came with tea. After seeing me, her expression
became horrific.

I bet she could believe my ghost is here, but will never believe I am here.

Noticing Dalgliesh's glare at her expressions, I cleared my throat and gave her a meaningfullook.

After putting the tray on the small circular table, she left.

"So as I said earlier, when I left, I heard the bam of the door, and then I heard you... youknow the rest." He said, grabbing his cup. "So after that chit-chat are you really, really goingto marry me?"

"Yes."

"Without giving me poison?"

"Yes."

"Without inserting a knife inside me?"

"Yes." Is he taking some type of test or what?

"With no plan of starving me to death?"

"Yes."

"Ah... you would be my wife and obey me??"

"Yes."

"You would never meet Captain James Carter again?"

"Ye-" like a puppet, I was just saying yes to all his questions... but when I understood thisquestion, I completely coughed out my tea. "I mean yes, of course."

Really?

Shut up for a second. If I marry this man, everything else is cancelled...

"A little unsure, huh? Don't worry... I will make you sure." He said calmly.

" 'Cause I assure you, that I am not marrying you because of anything else... I just want you,because the fire you have always attracted me, believe me, I just take that property stuffbecause your father didn't agree to our wedding at first."

"Hm." I nodded having no idea how to respond.

"So..." he took the property papers from the table and grabbed a pen. "Here's your first giftfrom me, my soon-to-be wife." He said signing the papers.

Just like that, that easily? God damn it was so easy.

Do I still have to marry this man? I mean the work is done isn't it?

he was about to hand me the papers, when he spun them again towards himself. "And I can
get access to these again if I want." He said and handed me the papers.

Was that a threat?

"Surely dear."

I clasped my hands over my mouth. Crap I said it aloud.

"I will just go then." He nodded and I hurried out.

That means I have to marry him at all costs. But that's not fair.

Maybe all stories don't have a happy ending.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello guys.

I think I am extending it too much like serials. (Can't blame myself)

But not that long, next chapter would be the wedding day.

Fo give your suggestion.

Do votes and comments;)