Chapter 2 Chapter Two

• Cynthia had thought about her wedding at least once—not in detailed pictures, but with the simple wish that it would happen. That she would know the man next to her. That he would actually want to be there.
• Instead, she stood alone in a fancy hall, wearing her wedding dress, surrounded only by Ken’s parents and the lawyer. The ceremony was supposed to be private—“discreet,” Mrs. Sydney had said—but this didn’t feel like a wedding. It felt like a deal.
• Her family had arrived at the venue earlier. She wore a striking gown that hugged her body and showed off her curves—her wedding dress. As she stepped out of the car, her heart raced. The fancy Hall stood before her like a golden cage where her future would be decided.
• She saw it for what it was—a market where she was the item being traded for power and connections.
• As she climbed the stairs and entered the hall, she stopped in her tracks.
• It was empty.
• Her stomach twisted as she looked at her father. “What’s going on, Dad? Are we in the right place?”
• “Yes, we are.”
• Her sister scoffed. “What did you expect? A grand wedding? You don’t deserve one.” Cynthia took a deep breath.
• “We’re doing you a favor too,” her mother added.
• “A favor? By marrying me off to a stranger and ignoring what I want?”
• She was in her last year of college, so close to finishing and starting her career. Her parents didn’t care much, so she took the entrance exams for medical school on her own—and passed. But then her father got sick, their family business fell apart, and they lost their standing. She stayed home to take care of him, giving up her own dreams.
• Her brother was hardly around. She barely knew him. He was off chasing his dream of being an athlete, while her sister pursued art. And now, here she was. Not following her dreams. Just another piece in a game she never chose to play.
• A phone call broke the tense silence. Her father answered, stepped away for a moment, and when he came back, his face gave nothing away.
• “Your mother and I need to leave. It’s important.”
• “I’ll go too,” her sister said, brushing past Cynthia with a smug smile.
• Her father turned to her, his voice cold. “Do what needs to be done; the Sydney’s are coming.” And then they were gone.
• Cynthia was left alone in the empty hall—the place where her wedding was supposed to be.
• Moments later, the Sydney’s arrived, a lawyer following them with a briefcase in hand. Ken Sydney was missing.
• His father spoke without any feelings. “He won’t be here.”
• The lawyer took out a document and handed her a pen. “Sign this.”
• Cynthia’s hands shook as she looked at the papers in front of her. A marriage contract. Cold. Without any feelings. No vows. No love. Just Ken’s parents and the lawyer, eager to get it all done.
• “What if I say no?” she whispered, testing the weight of her defiance. A voice in her head answered.
• “Then your family loses everything. Your father already signed his part. Walk away, and you’ll have nothing.”
• Of course, he had already done his part—sealing her fate and washing his hands of her.
• She could run. She could rip the papers, throw the pen at Mr. Sydney’s smug face, and walk out of this nightmare. But where would she go? The reality felt heavy on her, like chains dragging her down. She had no choice. Slowly, she picked up the pen and signed her name.
• Mr. Sydney clapped once. “There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?” He placed the papers into his coat. “Welcome to the Sydney family, Mrs. Ken Sydney.”
• Cynthia’s voice was almost a whisper. “Where is Ken?”
• Ken’s mother stepped closer. “Don’t take it personally. He didn’t even want to be in the same house while this happened. You’re just one more thing he doesn’t want to deal with.”
• She hadn’t expected love—but to be ignored before she even arrived?
• Mrs. Sydney turned to leave but paused. “Your new husband will be waiting for you at the estate.”
• “Waiting?” she repeated. But they were already gone, leaving Cynthia standing alone in the grand, empty hall—married to a man who hadn’t even cared enough to show up.
• When she got home, she went straight to her room and continued packing. The wedding was over, the contract was signed.
• When her father came back, he didn’t even look at her as he handed her some papers. “You’ll leave tonight.”
• Her throat tightened. She knew she had to go, but why so soon?
• “Father, please,” she begged. “Let me stay until morning.”
• A long silence hung between them before he sighed. “Fine. You leave tomorrow morning. That’s the best I can do.” It wasn’t much of a mercy, but it was something.
• Cynthia thought about her dream of studying medicine. “You promised to help me make that happen.”
• Her father finally looked at her. “And we are. That’s part of why you married Ken.”
• A chill ran through her. She knew that wasn’t the only reason for her feelings, but hearing it out loud made everything feel real.
• Her mother walked in, smoothing her dress. “Don’t be so dramatic. You get what you want, and we get a good connection. It’s a good deal.”
• Cynthia let out a bitter laugh. “Good? You really think this is good, Mom?”
• Her mother rolled her eyes. “You act like you had a choice.”
• “I could have worked hard and tried for scholarships—”
• “That would have taken too long,” her father interrupted. “We don’t have time for that.”
• Her mother waved her hand, brushing away Cynthia’s feelings. “Your sister is graduating soon. That’s our main focus right now. Once she’s done, we’ll think about your future.”
• Cynthia clenched her fists, holding back the sharp words that wanted to spill out. Tomorrow, she would leave. Not just this house, but the life she thought was hers.