Chapter 20

**CHAPTER 20**

**"So, after hearing this circumstance,** your mother and I have decided that you and Mr. de Vries should get married."

'Should get married.'

'Should get married.'

'Should get married.'

The same lines repeated over and over in Allison's head, she had expected this but she didn't expect that it would twist her chest that it hurt so much. She felt the pang of regret, she thought if she only controlled herself from that man's seductive, saccharine, drunk kisses, she wouldn't be in this situation right now. She would probably be in the penthouse right now, decorating with Brent with all the Christmas decorations they bought. The blood in her veins began boiling like hot water inside a kettle that wasn't pulled out from a hot stove, her anger had ruptured and she was triggered. She turned her head and looked at Hades with full ruin and hate, she couldn't believe that he could do this to her, "Are you happy now?"

The man looked at her lovingly that she could not believe it, "Lo..."

"Tell me are you happy now?!" she stood up, her voice was getting hysterical. If she had an emotion that she couldn't control, it was anger. She may be timid and civil, but like her mother, when she was angry, she couldn't control herself and give in to her rage until it was suppressed. Her blood was boiling with anger at him. She was scared and nervous when his presence was near before but now, she felt nothing but pure abhorrence. Why did he tell her parents? Because he wanted to marry her? For what reason? There were plenty of women who would drop on their knees to marry him!

"Allison," her mother chided while sipping her cup of tea. "Don't speak like that to your fiancé. Mr. de Vries wasted his precious time to come here to ask us for your hand in marriage and take responsibility for your child. You should be thankful, my dear that he is unlike any other men out there."

"Grateful? Should I be grateful? Mom, he's stealing my free—" she wasn't able to finish when her mother went on her feet and slapped her once again. The same stingy sensation came back, but this time, it was more painful. She looked at her mother with fury and wretchedness, she couldn't believe that her mother could hurt her with more than one slap and hurtful words at one time.

"Don't raise your voice on me like that, young lady! Remember, I am your mother! God, I never thought you will grow up like this, I never thought you will be such an ungrateful bra..."

"That's it!" Jonathan suddenly pounced his hands on the table, rendering everyone in the room shut their mouths in silence. He looked at his daughter with fiery eyes. "The decision is final, Allison. You're marrying Mr. de Vries whether you like it or not," he seethed before walking out.

"Jonathan!" Irina Taylor called and followed her husband whose ears and nose were smoking vehemently.

Allison felt defeated. She felt her world was smashed into crippling dust, never had she thought that it would come to this. Her life, her dreams, her plans were slowly crumpled and faded into the pit of darkness, leaving her all alone with no light. She was a strong and independent woman but strong people had their own weaknesses too. Hers was her parents. She respected and regarded them highly, she loved them so much that she was afraid of them being disappointed in her.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms snaked around her, holding her gently, caressing her body soothingly. "Don't worry, love," his smooth, velvety voice said that was sounded disgusting that she could feel her stomach wriggle and the bile rising to her throat. "I'll take care of you, I promise."

She turned around and slapped him across the face. "I hate you," she told him with full rage before walking out.

"JONATHAN!" Irina called her husband's name once again when they arrived at his study.

Being a mother was not easy, especially when your child flourished without your presence. For long years, her daughter had been yearning for her presence, craving for her support, hungry for her love. Of course, Irina loved her daughter so much that she wanted to stay by her side but sadly, work towed her away from her beloved Allison.

She sees how her daughter worked hard for their attention but no matter how hard she tried, no matter how her conscience ate her, she couldn't give what her daughter needed. She was surprised of Hades de Vries' presence in their abode, asking for her daughter's hand in marriage. She wasn't supposed to say yes but then, the visitor told them that her daughter his conceiving their soon-to-be grandchild and even brought them proof! She wasn't able to think straight at that time, she was mad at Allison and at herself. She wasn't there to raise her daughter, let alone guide the child to the walks of her life. She only left Allison alone in the mansion with only toys to play with and the servants to take care of her daughter. Irina was so mad at herself that she wanted to pull her own hair.

However, she knew that it was for the best of her daughter to marry someone like Hades de Vries, a man of his own word and someone who took responsibility. She had assured herself that her daughter was in good and capable hands.

"Not now, Irina." Her dreary husband sighed as he slumped down on his swivel chair. He was tired, she knew.

He was already old but he was working hard for his dear princess. He knew he wasn't a good parent along with his wife but he was trying his best to make up for their daughter. Before, he was cold-hearted and relentless, not until he met the woman who became his wife. The ice that embraced his heart thawed and was replaced with the heat of love. That heat grew hotter when his queen gave birth to his only princess.

He remembered the very day when he first carried the small and young baby Allison. When the cute little baby held his large index finger with her small little hand. He was euphoric that day, he was in the clouds. He felt he was in paradise. After Allison was born, he worked hard a hundred times than he did before along with his wife. He loved his daughter so much but he wasn't aware that his little princess wasn't able to feel his heart-melting love. And it hurt.

Jonathan felt his wife's fingers on his temples, her long, slender fingers moving in circles on his temples, relaxing his muscles. He sighed in relief and rested the back of his head on his wife's bosom. "That feels terrific." He moaned.

Irina looked at her husband wearily while massaging his temples. "Have we been bad parents?"

His face suddenly turned sour that it couldn't be painted. He was silent for a long time, it seemed he was thinking about what he would answer. He opened his mouth that made his wife anticipate but then, her face fell because of his answer, "I don't know..."

Irina sighed; she already knew the answer.