Chapter 20.
Andrianne lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, her thoughts consumed by the events of the past few days. The revelation that her own father was responsible for her mother's death had left her feeling lost and betrayed. But even more than that, she felt like a pawn in his game, a tool to be used for his own selfish purposes.
As she thought about her future, she knew that she couldn't continue to stay married to Lucas. Their marriage had been arranged by her father, and while Lucas had been kind to her, she couldn't keep up the pretense any longer. She knew that she had to file for divorce.
Later that evening, Andrianne walked up to her father's house feeling anxious and conflicted. She had made up her mind to leave Lucas, but the thought of facing her father with this decision made her nervous. She knocked on the door and waited as one of the servants opened it.
"Good evening, miss Andrianne," the servant greeted her with a smile.
"Good evening, Maria. Is my father around?"
"He's in his study, miss."
Andrianne walked down the hallway, the sound of her heels echoing on the marble floor. She knocked on the door and waited for her father to respond.
"Come in," her father's voice boomed from inside the room.
Andrianne entered the room, and her father looked up from his desk. He appeared uninterested, as if he had more important things to do than talk to his daughter.
"Dad, I came to see you," Andrianne said softly, taking a deep breath.
"What is it, Andrianne? I'm very busy."
"It's about my marriage to Lucas. I want to file for a divorce."
Her father's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about? You can't just throw away your marriage like that. It's a business arrangement, and it's for the good of the family."
Andrianne's jaw dropped. "A business arrangement? What kind of father treats his daughter's life like it's just another deal? You don't care about me or my happiness. All you care about is your own selfish interests."
"Don't be ridiculous, Andrianne. Your marriage to Lucas is a part of our family's legacy, and it's important that you remain married to him."
"I can't do it, Dad. I can't stay in a loveless marriage just to satisfy your greed. I want to be happy, and I deserve to be with someone who loves me for who I am."
"You're being foolish, Andrianne. You have everything you need. You have a comfortable life, and you'll be taken care of for the rest of your life. What more do you want?"
"I want love, Dad. I want to be with someone who makes me happy, not just someone who can provide for me. I want to be free to live my life the way I want to, not the way you want me to."
Andrianne's father shook his head. "You're making a big mistake, Andrianne. Think about this carefully. Divorce is not an option."
"I've thought about it, Dad. I'm not happy, and I can't stay in this marriage. I want a divorce, and I'm going to file for one."
Andrianne's father leaned back in his chair and studied her for a moment. "Fine. Do what you want. But know this, Andrianne. If you leave Lucas, you leave the family. You'll have nothing. Is that what you want?"
Andrianne's heart sank. She knew her father was capable of doing anything to get what he wanted, and she feared that he would follow through on his threat.
"I'll take my chances, Dad. I can't stay in this marriage. I'm sorry."
Andrianne turned and left the room, feeling a mix of emotions. She was relieved that she had stood up to her father and made her decision, but she was also afraid of what would happen next.
Andrianne walked through the empty hallways of her childhood home, her footsteps echoing against the marble floors. The memories of her childhood came rushing back to her - the laughter, the love, and the warmth that once filled the halls of the mansion. But now, all that remained was a cold, empty shell of a house.
As she entered her mother's room, the scent of her mother's perfume still lingered in the air. The room was a haven of peace and tranquility, with soft colors, exquisite paintings, and photos of the family displayed on the walls. Andrianne walked over to her mother's vanity, where her mother's perfume bottles and makeup lay untouched. She ran her fingers over the bottles, feeling the smooth glass against her skin, and tears streamed down her face.
Picking up her mother's photo album, Andrianne sat on the bed and began to flip through the pages. She saw pictures of her mother with her father, and of her mother holding her as a baby. Andrianne felt a pang of pain in her heart - she missed her mother so much. She couldn't believe that her father had taken away her mother's love and presence, and now he was trying to control her life too.
Andrianne stood up, feeling a surge of determination wash over her. She knew what she had to do. She went to the closet and picked out a few of her mother's clothes - a white summer dress and a blue scarf that she remembered her mother wearing often. As she left the room, she paused at the door, taking in the beauty of the room one last time.
As she walked through the halls of the mansion, Andrianne knew that she was leaving behind everything that she had ever known. But she also knew that she couldn't stay in this house any longer. It was time for her to start a new life, on her own terms.
When she reached the front door, she saw her father standing there, with a look of disapproval on his face.
"Andrianne, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice stern.
"I'm leaving, father," she said, her voice steady.
"Leaving? Where are you going?"
"Away from this madness," she replied curtly and walked away from the house.