I WILL NOT SIGN THEM

Two days has passed since I last spoke to Evren. The vicious and deadly look he had that day hunted me in my dreams. I didn't expect that day would turn out the way it did, but I knew it was for the best. It's good I stay away from him he's bad for me.

I barely left my room since that day for fear of bumping into him again. I didn't think I was ready to see him after our last altercation. But today, I've been asked by the lady to escort her for shopping for the ritual. It's not like she gave me an option to decline.

The ritual is tomorrow and Dalton will be back a day after. I wouldn't say I wasn't nervous. Though Agnes had said it was all about praying and performing a few ritual for a long and fulfilling marriage, I was still a bit nervous about the event.

All I wanted to do is lay on my big bed and hide away. To wake up one morning and realize all my problems are gone. I wish for things to go back to the way they were.

I wanted to be Adara again. The simple happy-sad Adara who dreams of becoming the biggest model in the country even if she knows it could only be a dream. But even I knew that life is now gone for good. After my stay here, my life will never be the same anymore.

"You're all done." Agnes smiled arranging the last pin in my hair and I shifted my face from one side to another to see how beautiful I looked before wearing my glasses.

"You look beautiful my lady." She complimented as always and I smiled.

"We need to leave now." She added and we both stepped out.

When we arrived in the lounge my eyes widened at the people seated there. I wondered what they were doing here, father never said they would return. Unless...

Agnes followed me as we stepped into the lounge.

"She's here." Scarlet said and my parent's turned to look at me. They all had a frown on their faces and I wondered what I must have done this time.

"Father, Mother..." I trailed when mother glared at me.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?" Mother asked irritably.

"I'm sorry, step mother." I corrected.

Father's frown deepened, the frown he always had when he's upset with me and I wondered what I've done this time.

"You can take a person from the slump but you cannot take the slump away from them." Scarlett stated rolling her eyes at me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"What sort of question is that Adara, are we no longer invited here?" Mother said.

"She isn't even married yet and her true colours are showing. I guess they can't hide forever."

"What is your problem Scarlett?" I finally asked.

"Scarlett, we're not here to argue or cause trouble with Dalton Bancroft's wife to be." Mother said to her and she rolled her eyes. I had no idea what was going on or why Scarlett has decided to throw indirect insults at me.

"The lady asked us to stay to at least cheer you up and prepare you for the ritual. We were meant to arrive days ago but you know your father, he's always busy." Mother said with a forced smile.

"You never sent my stuffs over father. I even wanted to come get them myself but I've been busy with other things." I said ignoring the frown on his face.

"Busy searching for jobs, I'm I wrong?" He suddenly asked.

"Yes, I wanted to talk to you about that."

"You neglect your duties as a wife to look for some stupid job?" I creased my brows at his words.

"I heard you disrespected the lady too?" Father said and I wondered where he got such information from. Did the lady tell them about it? She must have lied to them or didn't tell them everything that happened.

"Adara you know more than anyone what this marraige means to our family." Mother started before I could defend myself.

"Yes mother but..."

"How could you even think of disrespecting her? And what is it I'm hearing about not getting married anymore. Do you think you have a choice?" Father cut in.

"Father!"

"What do you want to do with your already useless life? You can't be a model, you can't do anything positive with your life. You couldn't even complete college and you still owe your tuition fees. Who did you think cleared those debts?" He yelled.

"My tuition fees is your responsibility. If you didn't lavish my inheritance..."

"SHUT UP!! How dare you disrespect your father." Mother rose. I blinked my eyes to stop tears from falling. I couldn't believe my ears, I wasn't wrong but that is something they didn't want to admit.

They call me useless but forget they had lavished my inheritance.

"I see all of these is getting into your head. Don't forget your place Adara." Scar said pointing at my clothes and the mansion.

"You should be grateful I declined the marriage for you to be picked. I can always step in if I want to." She lied without an idea Dalton already told me the reason she wasn't picked in the first place.

"I see you want to destroy us all. Do you know what will happen if you don't get married to Dalton? Even you will not escape the destruction." Mother yelled.

"Why have you not signed the papers given to you? You should be grateful the lady hasn't thrown you out yet. It's unbelievable you're useless as a daughter and even more useless a daughter in-law." Scar tched.

"This is not the agreement we had. Dad clearly said I could still live my life even after I'm married..."

"And you believed that nonsense? Let me tell you one thing Adara. There's no escape for you, you cannot call off any Marraige now. If you do, I'll make sure you don't see another day." I looked up at father in astonishment.

Was he planning to kill me?

Was he threatening me?

"Now bring those document and sign them here." Father screamed and Agnes who was behind me rushed up the stairs.

I had no idea why they were forcing me to sign those papers. Evren had gone through them himself and he had asked me never to sign the papers no matter how hard they persuade me. I didn't know if I should believe his words or theirs.

For all I remember Evren isn't a good person eithrr. Maybe he said so because he wants me to go against Dalton. But I haven't read through the papers, it's all just too long and boring.

While we were still waiting for Agnes to bring in the document the lady walked into the lounge to seat so gracefully as always. She had a little smile on her lips seeing my family ridicule me because of her and I clenched my fist till my finger dug into my skin.

I won't give her the satisfaction she needs. I hate her guts as much as she hated mine.

Agnes walked back in with the papers and she placed them on the table on the ladies order.

"Sign it Adara." Mother said.

"I won't sign it, I'll only sign it when Dalton gets back." I picked the documents and walked away.