<spanng="EN">Analise’s POV


    <spanng="EN">Why? Why in the hell would they try to force me to marry Holden? He’s not the only man in high society. He can’t be the only person willing to marry me. I honestly can’t believe my parents were willing to do this to me. I felt a tear run down my face at their sudden change of heart.


    <spanng="EN">“Ana, please, just listen to me. Holden cares for you, and you care for him, too, even if you’re angry with him.


    <spanng="EN">Isn’t it time to set down your anger to see the bigger picture here? Any scandal can affect not just our businesses, but yours as well. We have to hold a wedding. The only difference is we won’t let Roger make a sham of it or humiliate you. We need someone of our social standing, for it to be believable. Otherwise, everyone will think it’s a hoax. We need it to appear as though you had a change of heart. I know that Roger and his family hurt you. I ran into Krista two weeks ago, and she told me what happened to you. I remember you wearing a brace after that incident. We all knew Roger wasn’t good enough for you. Holden is the best choice, Ana,” Seth gently stated.


    <spanng="EN">“I refuse to do this. Our businesses are strong enough to withstand this. Why try to force me into doing this? You tell me you care, Seth, and then try to push me to do this? I won’t marry him. Even to save face,” I replied.


    <spanng="EN">My parents and Holden stood up with us. “Ana, please listen to Seth. He is trying to prevent you from being humiliated by that little jerk. I don’t want you to have to suffer the humiliation of being left at the altar. It would reflect poorly on all of us. We want what’s best for you, darling, can’t you see that?” My mother advised me.


    <spanng="EN">“Analise, I know you have some kind of issue with Holden, but you have to trust us that this is the best option for you. His family loves you. Holden loves you, too. He’s already agreed to it. Most of our friends were aware of the arranged marriage. All we have to do is spin the narrative. That you were upset with Holden, and wanted to get him back by bing engaged to another man. It made Holden realize that his love had never gone away. Seth’s just looking out for your best interests, baby girl. I don’t want you to suffer for choosing Roger. I kept my mouth shut because you liked him, but I never considered him quality husband material, We found a way to work around his ns. I won’t allow him to think he could ever turn my daughter into a mistress,” my father stated.


    <spanng="EN">“So, ording to your n, everyone benefits from it, except me,” I scoffed. “Thanks so much for your support. I promise that this won’t affect any of you; it will only affect me. I’m not willing to marry Holden. Correction, I refuse to marry Holden. Thanks for lunch.”


    <spanng="EN">I immediately headed for the door while they were too shocked to react. I knew they would snap out of it quickly, so once I shut the front door, I ran to my car and mmed my keys into the ignition. I roared up the driveway and was thankful to see the gate opening for me. I guess they hadn’t had time to call security yet. I slowed down to drive through the opening, as the gate was still sliding open. I saw the guard answer the phone as I passed him. I waved my hand at him as I passed. He ran out of the small shack to try to stop me, but that wasn’t going to happen.


    <spanng="EN">I already knew that they would probably head to my home. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I swung by my house and grabbed some shoes and all my unmentionables. I didn’t need much. I also grabbed my n of attack and left.


    <spanng="EN">I couldn’t avoid the confrontation with them; I knew it was inevitable. However, I could dodge my family long enough to get past the wedding date. After that, it would be toote for them to try to pressure me into marrying Holden. How they even thought I would be willing to do so was beyond me. I knew they wouldn’t cause a scene at my workce. They didn’t want any bad publicity. It was the main reason Seth was able to win them over.


    <spanng="EN">The disappointment that they changed sides still hurts. It was like what I wanted didn’t matter at all, and that was a hard pill to swallow. Especially now that Roger has finally shown his true colors. I know that my family loves me. But they still think that my issue with Holden is just me being petty, childish. It’s not, and it’s a hill I’m willing to die on. It’s heartbreaking to know that despite their love for me, there were conditions that came with it. The bottom line was that our precious family name shouldn’t be tarnished.


    <spanng="EN">As much as I love them, I’m not just going to blindly ept Holden. I can now slow down and focus. I’m not just mourning the death of the rtionship I thought we had. I’m losing my family’s support as well. If needed, Пl just leave town the week of the wedding. Take a well–needed vacation because I refuse to be used like this. Like I’m a means to an end. Where everyone else ends up getting what they want, except for me. changed a great deal in thest ten years, even if they refuse to acknowledge that this is not a tantrum.


    <spanng="EN">Once I was clear of my condo, I was able to rx a little. I still watched my rearview mirror to ensure I wasn’t followed. I called a realtor friend of mine to get help. I had bought my vi from Christine Arnold, as well as my current Condo. I know for a fact that my family wasn’t going to drop this. Seth was right. This was about to be a problem. Everyone who is anyone was going to being to my wedding, especially if they smell blood in the water. Nothing stays a secret, especially in high society. I was about to call in a favor. I was thankful that Christine answered quickly, considering it was Sunday. She usually worked every day and was probably at an open house. I could hear people in the background the moment she answered.


    <spanng="EN">“Hey Ana, what’s up?” she answered.


    <spanng="EN">“Hey, Christine, I need one of your rentals for the next few weeks,” I replied. Christine bought homes as new listings came across her desk on a daily basis. She flipped them and assembled a team, streamlining the entire operation. Her cousin was the lead contractor. She always had something ready to rent or sell. I knew she could help me disappear for a few weeks.


    <spanng="EN">“What? Wait, why do you need a ce to stay? You already have two homes, Ana, that’s one more than most people have,” Christine replied.


    <spanng="EN">“Christine, the wedding is off. Roger has already married someone else. He just used me to help him grow hispany. He only proposed because he couldn’t figure out a way to get out of it. Now Seth is insisting that I marry Holden Vaughn, and that’s not going to happen,” I replied.


    <spanng="EN">“Honey, you could do a lot worse than marrying Holden. He’s a hottie. I remember your parents arranging the marriage, and you being all in on marrying him. What changed? I’m telling you now, most women could only dream of being his wife. I myself would love to run my fingers through his hair and stare into those smoky gray eyes of his all day,” Christine replied.


    <spanng="EN">“Be my guest, you can have him. I won’t ept a marriage with a man who can’t be loyal,” I snapped out.


    <spanng="EN">I hadn’t meant to say that, but I’ve been through too much, and it hasn’t even been twenty–four hours. I was done ying nice. I need to get some sleep and as much peace as I can in the next neen hours before I have to go to work tomorrow morning. Who am I kidding? I don’t have to show up on time. What are they going to do, fire me? This week, the new and improved Analise is making her debut. I’ve gone rogue.


    <spanng="EN">“I’m sorry, Ana. I didn’t realize. You’re entitled to marry who you want to and not be forced into anything. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything ready at the moment. I’ve sold two properties, and my other two properties are at the early stages. The walls are bare and uninsted, and the HVAC systems are being changed out. There’s sawdust everywhere; they’re not livable at the moment. But you can stay with me,” she replied. I could tell that she was sorry for even saying what she had, but it wasn’t her fault.


    <spanng="EN">“No, it’s fine. I’ll figure something out. Can you meet me at the vi tomorrow? I want to sell it as–is, including the furniture and art. I want to list it at three million,” I replied.


    <spanng="EN">You paid $2.5 million for it just three months ago. You’ve put a lot of time and effort into decorating it. Can’t you just stay at the vi?” Christine asked. I could hear the shock in her voice.


    <spanng="EN">“He’s been living there with her for two months, doing unspeakable things. I never enter it again, and I don’t want to remember what happened by seeing the paintings anymore. I’m going to have a cleaning servicee in and clean everything, especially the living room couch. I know the vi and art are worth more than three million, but I need it sold fast. I will have a teame in and box up their clothes, I want it sold before hees back from his honeymoon in Paris,” I replied.


    <spanng="EN">“I will get it listed in the morning. Can you let me in to take pictures of the vi?” Christine replied, all business now.


    <spanng="EN">“I can meet you there at ten. Their flight leaves at noon, so they should be gone, but park up the street from the vi. I want to ensure everything is clear before I let you in. Don’t worry about me, Christine, I will be fine.


    <spanng="EN">I’m taking back my life, on my own terms. Believe me, Roger is going to be the one who’s sorry, not me. As a matter of fact. I will also give you my key to my condo tomorrow, I want a fresh start. A property that is just mine, so start looking for me another property. Somewhere in a gatedmunity, near Fashion Forward, Three bedrooms, three and a half baths. With a closing date within the month, if possible,” I replied.


    <spanng="EN">“Got it, I’ll look tonight for possible locations, and have something for you in the morning. I’m sorry, Ana. No one deserves to go through this,” Christine replied. I could hear the sincerity in her voice.


    <spanng="EN">“Thank you,” I answered quietly. There was nothing else to say. It hurt, but I n on emerging from this even stronger. I’m no longer going to be guilted or forced to do anything that I don’t want to do. I already have a ce in mind where I can stay. I just needed Gwen to go there with me to get the ball rolling. I don’t want to be found anytime soon.