Adrianne stared at her father in disbelief. "What are you talking about, dad? How could you say that about mom?"

Her father's eyes grew cold as he replied, "Your mother was always a roadblock to my goals, Adrianne. She was never supportive of me or the decisions I made."

"What decisions? What are you talking about?" Adrianne demanded.

Her father hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with an emotion Adrianne couldn't quite place. "I made a deal with Lucas's father, Adrianne. He's promised us financial security if you agree to marry Lucas."

Adrianne's mouth dropped open. "What? You made a deal behind my back? How could you do that,...