"You must marry him!" Richard's voice rang through the house, sharp and commanding, bouncing off the high ceilings. Every word slammed into Lisa like a weight pressing on her chest.
"N… no, Father! I don't love him. I don't even know who he is!" Her voice cracked, trembling between anger and disbelief.
She had always been the girl who got everything she wanted; the privileges, the attention, the love from her father, the wealth. She had never lacked anything. But now, everything changed in an instant. Her father's words weren't just instructions; they were chains, tying her future to someone she didn't even know.
"Dad!!!" Lisa's voice echoed, sharp with frustration. "Do I look like a gambling coin? Something to toss aside when it suits you?"
Richard's expression softened for a moment, but his eyes remained steely. "Lisa, this is for all of us; for the family, for your future. Give him a chance. Get to know him. You might like him after some time."
Lisa felt a rush of betrayal, a deep ache in her chest that made her feel smaller than ever. She had thought she mattered most to her father, but now she realized she was just another piece in his grand plan.
She turned on her heel, running up the grand staircase, her heels clicking sharply against the polished wood. She slammed her bedroom door, the sound reverberating through the silence, and collapsed to the floor. Her tears fell freely, soaking the luxurious carpet, as sobs shook her whole body.
Downstairs, Richard stood frozen. He felt a flicker of guilt, a sting of sadness at his daughter's heartbreak, but he stayed put. He had made his decision; firm, unyielding, believing it was the right one for Lisa, for their empire.
Shakily, Lisa grabbed her phone. Her fingers trembled as she dialed a number and placed the call on speaker.
"J… Jasper," she whispered, her voice breaking, lips quivering. "Expect me at your place in ten minutes."
"Sure," Jasper replied calmly.
She ended the call, zipped up her bag, and carefully made her way down the grand staircase, each step heavy with finality. Richard watched her from below, silent, as his daughter chose love over the inheritance he had painstakingly built for her.
Lisa stepped into the waiting cab, ignoring the luxury vehicles her father had gifted her. She didn't want reminders of the life she was leaving behind. When she arrived, Jasper was already there, waiting, and seeing him made her heart lift, a flutter of relief and excitement.
"My love!" she exclaimed, running toward him, throwing herself into his arms.
"I've missed you," Jasper murmured, holding her tightly, his warmth a shield against the chaos of the day.
"I've missed you too," she whispered, pressing her face into his chest, feeling safe, loved, and finally free.
Jasper had prepared her favorite meal; fried rice with grilled turkey carefully arranged, the smell making her mouth water. Every bite tasted like care and affection, every gesture a quiet declaration of love. They laughed, they talked, they cuddled, letting the day's pain dissolve slowly into warmth and comfort.
The next morning, Lisa stretched, feeling the satisfying crack of her limbs, a small reminder that she was alive and in control of her own life.
"Good morning, baby," Jasper said, carrying a tray with hot chocolate, toasted bread, scrambled eggs, and sausage.
Lisa smiled, savoring every bite, and watched him sit beside her, his eyes soft, his expression admiring.
"You didn't tell me your intentions for coming here," he asked gently.
"Oh, that… I just missed you," she said, voice bright with love and relief.
Jasper exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing. They spent the day laughing, watching movies, playing, and enjoying each other's company, yet beneath her happiness, Lisa's heart remained heavy. She wished she could have her father's approval and Jasper's love simultaneously, but for now, she had chosen love, and there was no turning back.