Page 1 of Claiming His Wife
PROLOGUE
THE FAMILY MANSION SEEMED STRANGELY DEVOID of human presence.
Kalilah did not hear the usual hustle and bustle of the maids. Bates, her family’s butler waved at her as he headed up the spiral staircase of her parent’s mansion. It was a good thing since she did not want to have an audience for what she was about to discuss with her father. In addition to that, she looked a mess. Her face was streaked with dried tears from all the crying she had been doing since leaving Finn.Finn.
She thought about Finn, the love of her life, and took a deep breath. She remembered when they met, and how everything changed for her. She didn’t think that being in love was on the table at nineteen, but when she met Finn, she felt butterflies in her tummy. From their very first meeting, she’d known her life wouldn’t be the same. She knew he was the one from their first magical kiss.
But she had been wrong about him. Wrong about everything she believed. Her life was now shattered. All the hopes and dreams she had for the two of them were now gone. She was here to put an end to the lies Finn told her before their relationship went any further. She raised her hand and knocked on her father’s office door, and a voice from the other side beckoned her inside.
Entering her father’s office, she saw that both her parents were present. Maybe this would be easier with her mom here. Her father Richard was seated at his desk and was the male version of his beautiful daughter Kalilah. He was tall and sturdy, and his sunken brown eyes and clean beard made him look even more handsome. As she walked into her father’s office, she noted the scent of her father’s expensive cologne in the air. His table was arranged neatly with files and his sleek personal computer.
Kalilah’s mother, Katherine, sat on a chair opposite her husband and was dripped in gold, which further highlighted her caramel skin. Kalilah had inherited her mom’s curly hair, which was currently hidden by the gold scarf that adorned her head. Mrs. Anderson’s light brown eyes were focused on her manicure until her daughter walked in. Katherine was beautiful; she had a slender physique and could easily pass for a 30-year-old even though she was almost 50. She rearranged her loose blouse and crossed her legs as she faced her daughter.
“You look absolutely haggard, Kalilah. You know better than to be in such disarray. You’re a reflection of your father and myself,” her mom chastised. Kalilah opened her mouth to respond but her mom went on. “Have you thought about a location for the wedding reception?” Kalilah swallowed a sob. There would be no reception.
Kalilah cleared her throat and said, “I haven’t, I…” Her father finally glanced up at her, and she was hastily interrupted by him.
“I was speaking to Finn earlier…” She knew all about their talk and how she was the prize to be traded. She had already spent all morning crying and she couldn’t afford to let any more tears fall. Finn’s betrayal shattered her very core.
“I know, Father, and that’s why...”
“Do not interrupt me, young woman, let me finish!” He bellowed as he fastened his vintage wristwatch on his wrist. “Finn told me that you wanted a small reception and I don’t think that’ll do.”
She knew it was time to speak up, and so she did.
“Father I have something to say.” Kalilah took a deep breath again, willing her tears to remain at bay. “I do not want a wedding at all. I no longer wish to marry Finn. It’s over between us.” After she said it, the picture of Finn’s face when she had confronted him and broken up with him earlier came to mind, but she shrugged it away. She wouldn’t allow herself to be fooled by him again. He seemed so surprised by the breakup and had tried unsuccessfully to change her mind.
“What did you just say, girl?” Her father asked in a stern tone of voice. Kalilah shuddered where she stood.
“Father, please, let me explain!”
“Explain what? Did Finn raise his hand to you or take advantage of you?” Her mom asked finally chiming into the conversation.
He was a monster, but not that kind of monster.
“Of course not, Mother.” How could she even think such a thing? Finn was capable of many things; lies and betrayal, yes, but not violence to a woman.
“What’s the issue?” Asked her father, who was looking at her intently.
Kalilah bit her lips, forgetting that she was wearing a matte lipstick. “I no longer wish to marry Finn or even be in a relationship with him. He used me to get ahead in your company and I am determined to not be anyone’s pawn. He isn’t who he claims to be.”
Her father bellowed in laughter and swiveled in his chair. Kalilah didn’t understand what was humorous about what she said.
When he was finally calm, he said, “You have no idea what you’re talking about Kalilah,” and then waved dismissively at her.
“Father, if you have any care for me, you will listen to me and allow me to make my own marital decisions. Please, Father,” she pleaded, standing her ground, resolutely. She was cut off again.
“Do you not understand the importance of this union? What it means for the future of Anderson Realty? Our company must remain in this family. I am not about to let you ruin that over your silly whims, girl.”
Kalilah flinched. If only he cared more about his daughters, and their feelings, more than his business.
She knew she had to forge ahead. She hoped that he saw her side of things.
“Marriage is for a lifetime, Father. It should be between two people who love and trust each other.”
“Don’t you love Finn? Weren’t you gallivanting behind my back with him?”
“I was…”
