Arranged marriage : I hate you

Chapter 27

Riley and Jennie sat next to each other on the couch. Jennie was feeling a lot better, so much that she even had a smile on her face. Although they kept some distance between them on the couch, the two still felt like they were sitting next to each other.

Joshua walked into the room, making all eyes turn to look at him. He observed the room, looking from his wife to Jennie before his eyes landed on Riley, the latter meeting his stare with a hidden coldness.

"I apologise for keeping you all waiting," he apologised, moving his eyes from Riley to Jennie as he suddenly felt a cold chill run down his spine at the mere sight of Riley. He couldn't understand how he could feel so much fear for the younger person when they had never really met before she showed up with Jennie a few days ago. All he knew was that looking at woman made him feel like he was looking at a younger and more dangerous version of her father. Even the thought alone frightened him, and he feared for his daughter.

"The food is almost ready," Murrieta stepped in, a nervous smile on her face as she looked at them all.

"I'd like to speak to Ms. Brown," Joshua said as he looked at Riley again, the latter meeting his gaze.

Jennie looked at Riley to try and read her reaction. The older woman reached out and grabbed Jennie's hand, giving it a squeeze to assure her that she was okay. Jennie gave her small smile, looking back at her father when they heard him clear his throat.

"Jennie, I'll show you where your brothers are," Murrieta said enthusiastically, standing up with the hope of clearing the tension and awkwardness floating in the room.

"Okay," Jennie said with a sigh, her voice low and calm. She took one last look at Riley, who gave her a small smile and nod, before walking out of the room behind Murrieta.

Joshua walked closer and sat down where Murrieta was sitting. He looked at Riley and tried to look intimidating. He felt a bit stupid when the latter just looked at him in calmness, tilting her head to the side in amusement at his little act. He cleared his throat and moved forward a bit, keeping his eyes on the woman.

"Are you going to say anything, or will you just keep trying to look intimidating infront of me?" Riley asked calmly, an eyebrow raising as she looked at the older man. Joshua froze for a second, his clothes suddenly feeling too tight for him. He felt embarrassed, and a bit scared, but he tried to look unfazed.

"Riley, right?" Joshua asked in fear of getting the younger woman's name wrong. Riley nodded, her face showing calmness and great patience.

"Right. Riley, Jennie's my daughter, my first child. She matters to me-" Joshua started but was cut off by Riley shaking her head in disapproval. He stopped and looked at her in confusion.

"Not to interrupt you Mr Smith, but don't you think you're way too late for this conversation? You can't eat your cake and then want to cut it. You can't start with what you were supposed to end with then want to end with what you were supposed to start with," Riley responded, her face now darkening.

"I don't understand,"

"You sold your daughter to my father, so you don't get to have a say in her life now,"

"It was a mistake,"

"A mistake that cost her, her freedom,"

"I didn't mean for it to happen,"

"Yeah? Well it did happen, and you can't do anything about it, so save me this petty talk because you failed to protect her when should have,"

The air was getting thick and Joshua felt tears well up in his eyes. Riley was visibly angry. It was men like Joshua and her father that made life seem so horrible and unbearable.