In the middle of the well-appointed dining room, under the warm glow of the chandeliers, Chloe found herself at the center of a carefully orchestrated reveal. It was an evening that was supposed to be a typical family gathering, dinner with her father’s business partner, Mr. Cassini. However, the evening quickly took an unexpected turn when her father, Mr. Rawlings, announced her arranged marriage to Derek, Mr. Cassini’s son. It wasn’t just a simple family dinner, but a pivotal moment that tried to steer Chloe’s future in a direction she never agreed to.
Chloe’s reaction was a mixture of disbelief and revulsion. She had always seen Derek as nothing more than a distant family acquaintance, their interactions limited to polite, brief exchanges during occasional family gatherings. Her heart belonged to David, someone who, despite not matching the ideal image her father had of her, made her feel a genuine sense of love and excitement. The idea of being forcibly separated from David and thrust into the arms of a man she barely knew was both shocking and unacceptable to her.
Derek and Chloe had a committed marriage from the start. Soon after, however, she fell ill and was confined to bed. He was always by her side until one event that caused him to turn away. When he turned around, she was gone.
“Dad! Not at all! I respect him! He’s the love of my life!” Chloe sobbed in her room at her parents’ house, “I can’t believe you’d be so shallow as to forbid me to date a man just because his family doesn’t have money .”
It was customary for her father, Mr. Rawlings, to host a dinner party with the family of his business partner, Mr. Cassini. But shortly after they sat down, her father clarified what the real purpose of the evening was. Mr. Rawlings clapped, “Chloe, Mr. Cassini and I have decided that you and Derek will get married.”
It’s the most logical choice. We’re finally going to be a family.” Mr. Cassini cheered to himself and congratulations and friendly banter rang out across the table.
Chloe was the only one who seemed unprepared. “I have a boyfriend,” she mumbled in confusion. There was silence at the table. “No, he doesn’t want to.” Mr. Rawlings reassured the visitors, “I told her to nip that stupid fling in the bud,” to which they all nodded.
Derek was excited and confident that she was fine. She heard that no one was talking to her. “Dad, not at all! “I refuse to marry a man I don’t know!” She screamed and left. When Mr. Rawlings found her in her room, she was crying and screaming, telling him how much she loved her old classmate, David. Even though he belonged to the bad boy crowd and wouldn’t even look at her until a few months ago, she had a crush on him in high school.
They met one day when Chloe came in with her car for an inspection and he happened to be a mechanic. At the age of twenty.
Despite knowing Derek all her life, she had no romantic feelings for him. At family gatherings, they resembled distant cousins who barely spoke at all. Her age difference with Derek was three years. Derek was never talked about and the concept of Mr. Rawling didn’t make sense because she never thought of Derek as a man.
“Chloe, I refuse to let you move in with that worthless mechanic. He doesn’t even go to university. When he noticed your fancy car, he assumed you might be his rich girlfriend. Derek loves you very much and knows you have a wonderful future ahead of you. That’s why I prepared everything,” he tried to reassure her.
“What? So you decide how I live without consulting me? Dad, that’s not fair! I have no desire to marry Derek! Even though I don’t know him, I know he likes me. He’s always been the son of your business.” partner. She means nothing to me,” she cried aloud.
That is unimportant. When you marry him, you know him. It’s perfect for you love,” her father urged. “No! Unlike the 19th century when a parent could choose and arrange a marriage, that time has passed. That’s all I won’t marry.” With a determined look, Chloe jumped out of bed and dried her eyes before turning to her father.
Mr. Rawlings said, “Okay,” he nodded. “Then you must leave my home immediately. I am disconnecting you. I will not pay for your college. I refuse to give you any more money. You can make your own choices if you wish. But I will in no way support the gold digger you are dating.”
“Daddy! NO!” Chloe screamed in shock. It was his little daughter. “I’m doing well at school. I adore myself there. I am not able.”
She paused as she thought about her existence without her father’s assistance. Even though Chloe was theoretically an adult, she continued to live at home. She didn’t expect to work until after college because she never did. She believed that even in such a situation she could count on her father’s support. He had never used money against her before.
At first, Chloe assured him that she could manage without him and decided not to share all her innermost feelings with him. She even left the house but soon returned. To be honest, she had no idea how to live a life full of struggles because she loved her education so much.
A few months after that conversation, she and Derek were married. Everything was organized by their mothers. While her new husband was all smiles and careful kisses at the ceremony, she lacked enthusiasm. He was very happy.
“Chloe, I realize this is not how you envisioned your wedding and I may not be the guy you had in mind. But until the day I die, I swear to love you and take care of you. He told her in private, “I’ll do anything for you,” and she nodded, taking his words to heart.
In the months that followed their arranged marriage, Chloe gradually began to see Derek in a new light. Although her heart resisted the bond at first, his consistent kindness and devotion slowly broke down the walls she had built around her emotions. As time passed, Chloe discovered aspects of Derek’s character that she had never taken the time to appreciate: his compassion, his unwavering support, and his deep, genuine love for her.
Derek’s promise to love and care for her wasn’t just empty words spoken at their wedding; he proved it every day. Whether it was his patient understanding when she talked about her dreams, or his encouragement to pursue her educational and career goals despite their unconventional beginnings, Derek was there. His presence became a constant source of comfort and stability.
As Chloe allowed herself to open up to the possibilities of their relationship, she began to experience a sense of partnership and belonging that she hadn’t felt with anyone else, not even David. She realized that love can grow in the most unexpected soil, nourished not only by initial attraction but also by shared experiences and mutual respect.
Eventually, Chloe’s relationship with her father began to mend as well. Observing the genuine care Derek had for his daughter and the emerging strength and independence in Chloe, Mr. Rawlings came to respect her decisions and the life she was building. He saw that his daughter was happy, really happy, and he understood that the path to happiness doesn’t always go according to plan.
Chloe’s journey from resistance to acceptance, from forced arrangement to loving relationship, underscores the unpredictable nature of life and love. It serves as a reminder that while we can’t control every aspect of our lives, how we respond to its vicissitudes can define our happiness. In Chloe and Derek’s case, an unexpected beginning led to a loving and supportive partnership, proving that sometimes the best stories are the ones we never planned.