Handcuffs And Kisses (Series #1)

Chapter 17

Lilian Carson POV

I stepped closer to him, ready to hear the good news he had to share.

"What do you mean?" I asked with confusion and excitement.

"You finally accepted Alexander; it's for your own good. Thank you for signing the marriage paper." My heart skipped a beat as his words sank in. The mixture of confusion and worry swirled within me, leaving me momentarily speechless. When did I sign any papers? My mind raced, desperately trying to recall any memory of signing a marriage paper. Panic started to creep in as I realized the gravity of the situation—something was terribly wrong.

"But I didn't sign any papers, dad." I stammered, my voice trembling with uncertainty. The room fell silent, and a heavy tension hung in the air as my father's expression shifted from excitement to confusion. Then a smile appeared on his face.

"Lilian, stop joking with me. You made the right choice. Alexander would soon announce the wedding date." Dad looked relieved and handed me the papers. I took the paper from my father's outstretched hand, and as I glanced at the papers in disbelief, my heart sank in fear and dread. The words on the document confirmed my worst fears: a marriage contract with Alexander, a man I barely knew. How could my father be so calm when I had no recollection of agreeing to marry Alexander? Doubts and questions flooded my thoughts, leaving me even more uncertain about the future that awaited me.

I am sure I didn't sign that paper, yet the sign on the paper is an exact copy of my signature. My mind raced as I tried to make sense of the situation. The weight of betrayal settled heavily on my shoulders, and I couldn't help but wonder if someone had forged my signature. How could I escape this unwanted union and reclaim control over my own destiny?

"You just saved our family, Lilian," my dad said, breaking down into tears as he hugged me tight. Looking at him, I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth about the signature, so I kept my mouth shut.    As I held my dad in that emotional embrace, guilt gnawed at me. I knew that revealing the truth would only bring him more pain. I need to do something myself. But how can my family be saved if I marry Alexander? He is the reason we are in trouble. I'll talk to Alexander about this matter later, but for now, I need all the information I can gather.

"Dad, how did mom die?" I finally mustered the courage to ask, my voice trembling slightly. His face turned sombre, and a deep sadness filled his eyes. He took a deep breath before responding, recounting the events that led to my mother's untimely demise.

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?" He asked.

I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts, before answering. "I've been thinking a lot about our family's past and how it has shaped our present," I replied honestly. "Understanding what happened to Mom is an important part of that."

"You know your mom died in a car accident," he continued, his voice filled with a mix of pain and resignation. "It was a devastating loss for all of us, and it's something that has always been difficult to talk about."

"Was it really an accident or a murder?" The question hung in the air, heavy with suspicion and uncertainty. I could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes. It was a thought that had crossed my mind too, but voicing it felt like opening a Pandora's box of buried secrets and hidden truths. I need to find out if Jace was telling the truth. whether, truly, my mother was killed by Alexander's father or not.

"It was an accident, Lilian; stop with your nonsense," Dad snapped, his voice laced with frustration. I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that there was more to my mother's death than met the eye. I needed answers—not just for closure but to ensure justice was served.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"You are not telling me something, dad. But if you want me to stay happy with Alexander, I need to know everything." I pleaded, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination. Dad sighed heavily, his eyes filled with regret. "Lilian, there are things you don't understand," he finally admitted, his tone softer now. "But I promise you, it's for your own protection."