"What?... Mom, please tell me this is a joke. Dad, it has only been few weeks since my wife your daughter-in-law died, and you want me to get remarried to her sister?!” Markian exclaimed.

He still wasn't clear about this sickening news that his parents had just casually announced to him.

It was like his parents don't care about anything else if it isn't about Castlehill, not his happiness, not even his peace of mind.

What surprised him the most was how on earth they thought that he would go along with them this time in making a mockery out of his relationship with his late wife Sophia.

“It really wasn’t our idea, but it’s not a bad one either. Listen, if Judy walks away with her shares then Castlehill Group will surely be ruined. This was her idea, we have no idea why she would what something like this but, it benefits us more son". Barbara spoke softly in an attempt to calm him down, but was cautious enough to keep her distance.

"Well, she has given us 2days, and your mother and I intend on giving her a positive reply so be prepared,” Matthew explained.

“I don’t care whose idea it was or who suggested it, I don’t even care about what may or may not happen to Castlehill. All I know is that there is no way I’m going to get married to my late wife’s sister because of some stupid contract, never!” Markian stated.

This was beyond his comprehension, marriage between Olivia and himself? Why would anyone ever think of such an inhumane thing?

First of all, he doesn’t even like Olivia, neither had he ever thought of her in such a way that would make anyone misunderstand their relationship, he was sure of that. If for anything he always disliked her and was never able to understand why she hated the idea of him marrying Sophia in the first place.

So why was she agreeing to this madness all of a sudden, was she a part of this plan?
No, it couldn’t be. He is sure that this isn’t what Olivia wants either. No one in their right senses would ever agree to get married to their late twin sister’s husband just few weeks after her passing. No one can be that selfish or heartless to do something as disgusting as that.

“Son, your father put his life and sweat into making Castlehill a conglomerate after his father passed away. Even when the business was about to fall, he brought down his pride and begged for help. We finally got to save the company, but it also meant we would have to lose a huge chunk of the company still. We got you married to a Luthel's daughter so we could get a little bit of Castlehill back from them, and surprisingly, you fell in love with her. Both your sacrifice and ours will all go to waste if after everything including her death, we still lose Castlehill. Just think about it son.” Barbra sympathetically stated.

After that, both Mr and Mrs Winfrey left their son’s room, leaving him in a dilemma.

The President of Castlehill, Markian Winfrey had lots of attributes. He was a very handsome, daring, bold, strict, resilient and brave young man, but when pushed to the wall, he can become very rugged. He is also very egocentric and proud; he was never attentive to anyone apart from himself until he met Sophia. She became the light that shined in his gloomy world and, man did he love that light. He was ready to do anything for her just to see her smile and happy.

At first it was an arranged marriage and he had no intention of starting anything real with her, until he met her for the first time and they went on their first date. He discovered that she was more than just a pretty face and a gorgeous body, she also had dreams and they both had a lot in common. She had a weird way of making him smile just by smiling, and so he fell in love with her from that day onwards until her last.

It’s true what they say, ‘if you love something or someone too hard, you end up losing them’. Her death was his and the day she died marked the end of his happiness. He lost the ability to say or believe in words like ‘I love you’, ‘true love’ and ‘true happiness’ forever, and he knew very well that he would never let anyone get close enough to touch his heart like Sophia did ever again.

She was the only real thing that he had, so why were they trying to snatch her memories away from him? Their decision is not right and he has to do something about it fast.

He quickly grabbed his phone and made a call to his secretary, telling her to make an appointment with Mrs Luthel as soon as possible. He was upset and angry, he couldn’t eat nor digest anything that night or the next morning. The sooner he meets with Mrs Luthel and get this madness sorted out, the better for everyone.

Livy sat on her queen-size bed with her legs and arms folded up to her chest and her face buried between her knees. The hundred-million-dollar mansion had felt empty and lonely ever since Sophy got married and it had never bothered her, but today it feels especially lonely.

Her mind was in a riot, her head was hurt and her stomach was churning. What was all this? Why was she put in this kind of situation? She can’t sit back and watch as things unfold the way they are looking, she must do something before she is made to marry a man that can’t stand her.

It was true that she had loved him and only him for a while now, but whenever she sees him, she suddenly becomes overcome with fear and anxiety. Her palms begin to sweat and she starts to terrible, at his slightest touch she recoils as though his presence was corrosive. This was how Sophy knew she has feelings for Markian, but she would always denied it.

She has never been in an argument with him nor has she had a calm conversation with him before, and the only time they had spoken to each other was at the post-wedding party, even then she could not muster up the courage to stand still for 5minutes nor could she look at his face. When he had tried to move closer to her to calm her down, she just recoiled and told him never to come close to her again, and he never did.

She doesn’t hate his touch nor his presence, on the contrary. She silently wishes to be close to him and to feel him, but she can’t understand why she gets all nervous and scared whenever he was around her.

It's true she was very timid and shy, but that was not reason enough for her mother to make such an important decision without informing her first. Her mother has always had things done her way and answers to no one, but this time Livy was determined to speak her mind and make her mother understand the commotion she was trying to create in both her life and Markian’s. Sophy’s death had done a toll on everyone especially him, and he looked so broken the last time she saw him at Sophy’s funeral, so there is no way he is ever going to agree to this marriage.

All of Livy’s thoughts came to a halt the moment she heard the front door open. She raised up her head and looked curiously towards her room door like she was expecting someone to come barging in. Her eyes were very red and swollen from crying, and there were traces of tears running down her very pink cheeks. That must be her mother, which means this was her chance to try and stop this madness.

She swiftly got down from her bed and out of her room towards the hallway that led to the living room. She came to a stop at the balcony and looked at her mother as she climbed up the stairs towards the balcony where she stood. Judy was looking so elegant and beautiful as though she hadn’t just returned from the office after the day’s work.

In all of Livy’s 24years on earth, she had never seen her mother look anything less than elegant, bold and beautiful. For once she wished her mother wasn’t so intimidating to look at, maybe then she wouldn’t have any problem speaking to her freely and honestly.

Judy got to the balcony and took a look at her daughter inquisitively just for a brief moment, then walked right pass her without saying a word. Livy just stood and looked frozen to the ground without being able to say a single word as Judy walked pass her. Only when Judy was three steps away from her was she able to force few words out about how she felt concerning Judy's decision.

“I…i don’t agree to that marriage proposal, I…c…can’t get married to that man, please mom, y…you have to stop this from going any further, I beg of you.” She spoke softly as Judy stopped, both of them backing each other.

“I heard you left work early today because you were feeling sick, are you better now?” Judy questioned, completely ignoring what she just told her.

“Mum pleassse, I…can’t marry that man, h…”

“That is not for you to decide,” Judy interrupted, then continued walking.

With tears now running down her eyes blurring her vision, Livy turned towards her mother and with all her will yelled, “but he is my sister’s husband!  How…how, I… I will never marry him!”

“Your sister is dead but you are not! We will lose Castlehill and maybe Luthel Industries if we don’t act fast. I am trying to secure everyone's future can’t you see that?! We will not discuss this any further, my decision is final. In two days’ time I will get a reply from the Winfrey’s, so be prepared. And take care of your health, don’t fall sick at the office again that’s just embarrassing.” Judy concluded leaving her in tears as she walked away.

Livy felt like she was going to cry her eyes out, her legs lost all strength as she fell on the marbled floor. The floor was cold, but not as cold as she imagined her mother’s heart was. She just sat there and cry for a while before the maids came and took her to her room.

She had lost all appetite and was unable to consume anything even till the next day. Her mother had told the maids to inform her not to come in to the office that day, and that she needed to rest in order to feel better. She was feeling very tired and weak, mostly because she had not eaten anything all through yesterday and this morning. The maids gave her a bath and some vitamins since she refused to eat, they took good care of her just as she wished her mother would.

She had particularly never felt close to Judy not even as a child, mostly because Judy spent most of her time at the office working. Strangely enough, she understood why.
After her father had passed away, leaving them and the company, her mother decided to continue running the business in his name. Although the investors and shareholders were sceptical of her ability to run the company, she rose up to the challenge and proved them wrong. She was always that kind of person who works really hard no matter how much it took from her or how much she lost, even if it meant her own children.

Her daughters didn’t miss her much because they had each other, even when they needed her, she was never available. All she thinks about was Luthel Industries, wealth and power. She doesn’t care how she gets it or who she hurts in the process, all she knew was to keep working, signing contracts and making deal even at the expense of her own daughters. 

AT LUTHEL INDUSTRY

“Good Afternoon Mrs Luthel, hope you’ve been well?” Markian asked humbly.

“Good Afternoon Mr Winfrey, I’ve been ok. So to what do I owe this visit? not every day the President of Castlehill group visits Luthel Industries.” Judy stated, looking emotionless as always.

“That’s true, but I came for a more personal issue rather than business,” he said, sitting the record straight.

“go on,” Judy permitted.

“Thank you. This is regarding the issue of the marriage proposal between your older daughter and myself. I wanted to personally inform you that I will not be accepting your proposal. You can hold on to your shares at Castlehill as long as you want, and I would be willing to sell back your daughter’s 15% shares for just the small price of you letting me mourn my late wife in peace.”

Markian was with his business face and strict personality, the type that get deals done and contracts signed.

Judy only smiled letting down her own demeanour for only a brief second before speaking, “it’s comforting to know that my daughter was loved by her husband even after death. I’m flattered but, I don’t want any more shares from Castlehill. All I want is a marriage alliance between Castlehill Group and Luthel Industries. Together, we will be the biggest Industry in the International sector,...”

“At what expense? Olivia? Have you thought of how she feels about this decision of yours? She just lost her twin sister, I doubt she would be on board with this,” Markian stated.

“She will be just fine as long as it’s you, it's my decision after all,” Judy commented.

“And what about me? Have you thought about what I want? I just lost my wife, I need to mourn her, she was my world,” Markian stated disheartened.

“You’ll be fine. Maybe you aren’t seeing the big picture yet but, this will all be yours someday,” she stated.

“I don’t want it, I don’t want any of it, I just…I just want my peace of mind. Isn’t there any other way?” he asked sadly.

“I’m afraid not, it’s either this way or I'll walk,” she affirmed coldly.

“I see. Well, I would’ve said ‘it was good seeing you again’ but, that would be a lie. Have a nice day Mrs Luthel.” And with that, Markian left her office abstrusely without hesitance.

Judy knew he was hurt, but she meant every word she said. She plans to give Luthel Industries to him if he eventually marries Olivia and also when she is convinced that Markian had no hand in Sophy's death.

She saw him as capable to lead her Industry and would do everything in her power to make sure it happens the way she wants it. If only these kids just obey and do as she says, then she wouldn’t have to result to threats and schemes.

The next day, Livy was all set for work and was doing some finishing touches on her nude makeup. She doesn’t like wearing makeup but, since she had to be at the office and walk by top notch business people all day, she needed to look lively and smart.

Though she didn't have much sleep last night, she still looked very brilliant and beautiful.

Working at Luthel industries was the only thing she could do since she wasn’t very good at expressing herself in public, and her mother would never let her take up fashion designing as a profession.

She loved her position as an accountant and only had to face her mother with the financial dealings of the company. Even though sometimes, she had to be present at meetings but it's mostly just for formality sake. She would always shy away from further conversations after such meetings.

She stopped, looking at her reflection in the mirror and in a few seconds another image appeared in the mirror startling her. Judy stood few distance away from her but moved closer when she noticed she had frightened her. Putting her hands on Livy’s shoulders, she tried to help her relax back into the chair.

Her reflection looking back at Livy’s reflection in the mirror as she spoke, “today, the Winfrey’s will be coming with a reply to the marriage proposal between you and their son.”

At the mention of the marriage proposal, Livy got all tensed up and nervous. She had tried to put the whole marriage thing behind her and tried living like her life wasn’t on a timeline. She knew without a doubt that Markian would never agree to marry her even if it meant to save his own life, so she was a bit confident he would come up with a plan.

Maybe he would leave town for a few weeks, or stand her up that day, but knowing all of this still didn’t help her nervousness, it increased it. Would he really leave her standing on the isle or courtroom alone on a day that is supposed to be her wedding day? Does he really hate her that much? Would she ever recover from such embarrassment and denial? Of course she won’t, she was in love with him after all, and if left to her vices she was ready to marry him if he agrees to the marriage.

Was she that kind of  person? Was she a traitor? Someone who would marry her sister’s husband because of her selfishness one sided feelings?

“And if they refuse, what would happen then?” she asked back challengingly, surprising Judy.

“Then, they will have to bear the consequences of their decision. They would lose my support and that of the investors, they would be faced with the risk of losing Castlehill for the second time. Markian would be branded incompetent as a President as well as a man, and would be forced to sell Castlehill just to save his reputation. Aside from that, I would whisper words to investors not to invest, and whisper to the press just how unfortunate the Winfrey's are at running a business. I would make sure they don’t rise from their ashes,” Judy answered accepting her challenge.

With wide opened eyes, Livy was left alone dumbfounded and unable to think of anything else.

Was her mother capable of ruining a company like Castlehill? Of course she was, she is the most successful business woman in Minnesota and one of the most influential women in the country after all, so challenging her abilities was futile.

Livy began to wish that Markian doesn’t think of leaving town or leaving her on their wedding day, or refusing the proposal- though that last one was not an option.

Thinking of Markian in that state of confusion and disarray left Livy empty. At the office, she was unable to concentrate on work because she couldn’t shake off the feeling that nothing would end well with this arranged marriage.

She was tired from thinking, and since she skipped breakfast she was generally feeling weak. She stood up for a bottle of water from the fridge when she saw Mr and Mrs Winfrey walked past her office heading to her mother’s office.

Her heart skipped a beat. Was it time already? What was she going to do? She felt faint and light headed, she was about to fall so she grabbed on to a nearby chair and helped herself into it.

The thought of her future being discussed and finalized by other people gave her goose bombs. And the fact that she couldn’t object to anything made her eyes teary and her cheek pink.

As she sat there motionless and fatigued, the sleep which had eluded her the night before suddenly came knocking and she answered.

I just couldn't wait to share this chapter with you guys, and I hope you enjoyed it. New update would be coming in this weekend.
You are the best. ♥