Page 1 of Bad Boy Neighbor

One

Gabriella

“You will marry Nicholas King. You will complete your duties as his wife and to our family. Do you understand, Gabriella?”

My father’s words linger heavily as I sit in front of him inside his cold office. As a child, this room used to scare me with its dim lighting in the form of a small chandelier above his woodgrain desk, which barely illuminates the room. There’s no natural light due to the heavy drapes, which means no view of our property’s perfectly landscaped gardens.

The room is built like a cave with small windows similar to those inside a basement. Shelves surround the rest of the room, filled with leather-bound books, the smell musty and earthy. My father enjoys reading, mainly about the war and other historical events.

I glance around the room, trying to ignore the claustrophobia creeping in when I stay too long. I rarely spend time here, and when I do, it fills me with dread because my father is far from pleasant to be around.

After all, this man is Edward Carmichael III.

He controls everything related to our family.

And that includes my life.

“I don’t understand why I have to marry Nicholas now?” I answer, mustering the strength to put my foot down on this matter. “Don’t you think two people should get to know one another before committing to a life with each other?”

My mother keeps her expression blank. When it comes to my father, he rules the family with an iron fist. The only time my mother has a voice is when the house is being redecorated. He’s not concerned about the style of drapes on the windows or what fabric for the expensive armchair as long as everything in the grand living room matches.

This man only cares about his reputation.

And I, as his youngest daughter, will ruin it if I don’t marry Nicholas King.

His jaw locks, eyes turning dark while he stares at me with his usual resentment. I don’t know why he’s so cold, but this is nothing new. He was never a loving father. He’s not the type you see in movies who sits beside their child at night reading their favorite stories. Not once has he told me he loves me or shown any kind of fatherly affection.

“Gabriella, perhaps my instructions are not clear,” he continues, his tone laced with grit. “We don’t marry for love. We marry for duty.”

I glance at my mother, given that the comment is demeaning to their marriage. Never have I ever seen any romance between them. To be honest, I don’t know if they even sleep in the same bed. Occasionally, my mother kisses my father on the cheek when he leaves town for business, but even then, it’s forced and distant.

My mother clears her throat, catching my father’s attention.

I wait, with bated breath, praying she’ll be on my side for once.

“Listen to your father, Gabriella. He knows best.”

An ache spreads in my chest as the realization begins to sink in. My life is not mine to live. I’m stupid to think that being an adult means making my own choices.

After I graduated high school, my father allowed me to attend college. However, it was only because I fought him hard, and in the end, my mother convinced him it would be good for our family’s reputation to have a daughter who was intelligent enough to graduate from an Ivy League school. Those four years were the best time of my life. They ended precisely two years ago, and since then, I’ve avoided being traded in the marriage market…

… until now.

My father stares at me with a heavy, unwanted gaze. I swallow heavily, desperate to tell him I won’t marry Nicholas King, let alone be treated this way. All I need to do is find the courage to tell him it’s my life, even though everything I have is tied to my father. He’s made sure of that.

“Are we clear, Gabriella?” my father asks impatiently.

Taking a deep breath, I attempt to shake my head but stop dead in my tracks.

I need time to plan my escape.

From this family and this life I have no control over.

Suddenly, my mouth opens on its own accord. “One summer away from here,” I say in an unsteady voice. “Then, I’ll marry Nicholas.”

A sinister laugh escapes my father.

My mother raises her brow, surprised I have even challenged him.

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