Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 5: 5 If this is about tradition

~The Brown Family~

George's deep voice broke the silence of the lavish living room. "Risa, as the eldest daughter of the Brown family, you will marry Davis Allen of the Allen family."

Risa froze mid-step, her breath hitched and her hands clenched as she slowly turned to face her father with her eyes wide with disbelief. "Dad, is this a joke", she asked tentatively.

George's expression remained firm, his tone unrelenting "I signed a business deal with them and that is one of the requirements needed to facilitate it."

"An alliance?" Risa's voice rose sharply. "With a cripple? Davis Allen is finished, Dad. His family doesn't even want him anymore. How does this benefit us?"

George sighed, " They may not want him but then he is still an Allen and The Allens are still powerful, Risa. Their name alone carries weight, even if Davis is no longer at his peak. This marriage—"

"This marriage will be my destruction, dad!" Risa cut him off, her heels clicking furiously as she paced. "Have ever paused to think of what people will tell me and what they will think of me?"

"You'll learn to adapt," George interrupted, his voice firm. "The marriage isn't about personal feelings. It's about the bigger picture."

"The bigger picture indeed?" Risa scoffed, turning to face him. Her eyes blazed with anger. "When you're asking me to throw my future away for someone who can't even stand on his own two feet. What about my dreams, Dad? My ambitions? My goals dad?"

Clara, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa, finally spoke, her tone calm. "Risa, sacrifices are necessary for the greater good. You're part of this family, and your role is to ensure its success."

Risa whirled toward her mother, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, of course, but family success shouldn't be achieved by shackling your daughter to a ruined man."

Clara's eyes narrowed slightly. "Watch your tone, Risa. You're not a child. You understand how these things work. Besides, Davis might be crippled but he is still an Allen"

Risa let out a bitter laugh. "No, Mom, I don't think I do. What I understand is that I'm being used as a bargaining chip. And I won't stand for it. Besides he is a worthless and useless Allen"

The phone on George's desk rang, cutting through the tension in the room. He hesitated for only a moment before reaching for it, his brows furrowing as he glanced at the caller ID.

"I'll be right back," George muttered curtly, his voice stiff as he turned toward the hallway. His footsteps faded as he answered the phone, leaving Risa and Clara alone in the room.

Risa shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers tapping restlessly on the armrest. The silence in the living room apparent between her and her mother Clara.

for her reaction. "So, how do you feel about what your father just

a bitter smile, her arms folding across her chest as she leaned back against the sofa. "I feel nothing." Her voice indifferent but her eyes betrayed her frustration. "It's all a game, isn't it, Mom? A strategy to put me in a corner and

of her glass. "It's not just a game, darling. It's an opportunity. One you'll learn

I have no interest in?" She clenched her fists, her voice

raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her daughter's outburst. "You don't seem to understand the bigger picture. It's not about Davis Allen.

marry Davis Allen and throw away everything I've worked for just to

her eyes narrowing as she studied her daughter. "That's

looked at her mother, her curiosity piqued. "What do

"I'm thinking of an alternate solution." She spoke slowly, her voice filled with a dark amusement. "What if we didn't need

skipped a beat and she ran over to her mom, holding her hand anxiously. "What are

caressed her face as her lips curled into a sly smile. "What if we let Jessica take your place besides she is the real eldest

whirling as she processed the suggestion. She let out a sharp laugh, her face contorting with a mixture of disbelief and triumph. "You want Jessica to marry him? Are you serious?"

both laughed at the idea though it was colder, more venomous. "Exactly. She's the perfect pawn. She'll do

excitement. "I can already imagine her face when she finds out she's been traded in place of me. The look of horror when she has to face the reality of being bound to Davis Allen. She's never seen anything

you have to do." Clara said with

She

the one to suggest that to your father when he returns now because he

mom—" she wanted to

dropped to a whisper "Think about it, Risa—Jessica marrying in your place as the eldest daughter will not

I can handle this", she said with a grin her fingers curling into fists, her satisfaction palpable. "She won't have a choice. Once she's back, she'll be too far gone to fight it. The Allens will never

knowing gleam in them. "No, they won't. And when it's all said and done, you'll be free to pursue your own

her hands now trembling with anticipation.

father's suspicion while their silent agreement hung in the air as they both envisioned the better future ahead as Jessica takes the fall while they reap the

his seat again, glanced at Risa briefly "I believe I have made this clear. The is not up for debate and the arrangements are already

into a cold smile, a glint of cunning entering her eyes. "Fine, Dad. If this is about

brow furrowed. "What are you talking

straightened, her tone turning calculated. "Jessica. She's the real eldest daughter of this family, isn't she? The rightful one, why not let her

upper-class function. George never corrected her, dismissing Jessica as a worthless burden incapable of contributing anything to the