Page 12 of Forced Prisoner By the Bratva

“What?” The word fell out of my mouth as my body shot forward in my chair, eyes shining with defiance. “Why do I have to marry that ruthless, honorless, arrogant, condescending asshole?” My voice rose with each sentence, up until the point that I was nearly shouting.

In my head, the brief encounter with Erik Tarasov came flashing back. The man was everything I said he was, and in that moment, I couldn't picture spending the rest of my life with such a person. His arrogance, his cutting remarks, and his dominance still lingered on the fringes of my mind, as did his cold, menacing threats.

My hands flew around in frustration, my voice continuing to rise in indignation. “You said it yourself; Liam will be engaged to some girl from their twisted, demented, and completely dysfunctional family. Why do I have to marry Erik Tarasov?” I demanded.

“Because Zoya, the girl arranged for Liam, just turned 18. She’s not of age, and because of that, her marriage to your brother will not be formalized for another two years,” he explained, maintaining his composure.

Reflexively, I sprang to my feet. My fingers combed through my hair as a surge of annoyance jolted across my body.

“Tessa, will you just calm down?” Liam's soft, tender voice cut through my thoughts.

I shot him a glare, my scowl deepening. “That's easy for you to say—it's notyourlife—yourpassion and career—that's on the line here!” I snapped, the words bursting out in an angry rush. “Damn it!” The low whisper escaped my lips as I rubbed my aching eyes.

Dad's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze soft with a glint of emotion, but he didn't speak; he just watched me in silence.

“So, I'm the sacrificial lamb?” I asked, my eyes shifting across the two of them. “I'mthe one who has to sacrifice her future for the family. Is that it?” An unbelieving scoff came forth. “You're willing to give me away to a man I barely know, a monster, just for what…? A business alliance?” A hint of disappointment tinged my tone, but I kept my eyes fixed on Dad.

“Tessa, it's not as easy as you think,” Liam said, shooting a quick look in my direction.

“Oh, it looks pretty easy to me.” I let out a sarcastic chuckle. “If you wanted to, you'd reject the offer. We don't need their alliance.”

“That's the problem, Tessa. I can't,” Dad said, his voice rising subtly. His patience was wearing thinner by the second.

“You can't, or you won't?” I pressed on, my insistence fueling his rage.

“I can't, alright?!” He slammed his hands on the table, his chest heaving rapidly as he glared at me. “I can't, Tessa. I can't!” The tension in his tone hinted at something far more sinister.

My eyes squinted, sensing that there was more to all of this madness.

He let out a sharp exhale and met my gaze. “Look, I wish that there was another way to get out of this disaster, but there isn't.”

I narrowed my brows, confused. “Disaster? What disaster?”

“We're broke, Tessa,” Liam said, his eyes flying up to meet mine.

That was a statement I never thought I'd hear in this household—ever. My brows arched instantly, my anger dissipating by the second.

Dad further explained, his voice low and laced with emotion, “The O'Brian empire is in deep trouble. We're facing extinction.” He paused, as if allowing the weight of his words to sink in first. “Our profit margins have been steadily declining, and we're burdened by significant debt.”

I could no longer find it in me to stay mad because this was a crucial period for the entire family.

Dad rose to his feet and walked over to stand in front of me. “Tessa, that alliance is our one-way ticket outta of this mess.” His eyes bore into mine. “Without it, we might not survive another year.”

Unshed tears stung my eyes as I struggled to blink them all back inside. This wasn't just about me anymore. The whole family was at stake: our name, our reputation, and the empire Dad worked so hard to build.

I couldn't, in good conscience, choose my own dreams and aspirations over those of my family. It would be foolish and selfish.

Where would I get that financial support from now that Dad was going bankrupt? He’d been my only hope, and now that was out the window.

My initial anger was replaced by a heavy resignation that left me breathless, a myriad of thoughts overlapping in my mind. This was out of my control, and my family's survival depended on me.

What kind of a daughter would I be if I let them down?

My heart shattered into a million tiny pieces when I realized that I could no longer pursue my dreams. It hurt so much, but I didn't exactly have a choice.

“We need you, Tessa.” Dad placed his palm on my shoulder, holding my gaze. “Now more than ever.”

I steeled myself for what the future may hold in this path that had been carved out for me. However, the image of Erik Tarasov still lingered in my mind, a reminder of the storm I was about to face.

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