Tides of Destiny

Epilogue: The Shock

EPILOGUE

The Shock

Francine Stuart

Was it really all my fault for wanting to know who I was? I know that woman wasn't my real mother. I know that she never gave birth to me. We never shared anything. She was blonde, I was a ginger. She didn't have the thick Scottish accent that my father had. She never even made time for me. She only cared for me when father was only looking or when society has their eyes on us. This woman has never uttered a word in Gaelic. She does not know my culture. She is a stranger to me.

I preferred staying in my secondary residence in Glasglow, but it was rare that my parents called me out of the blue. They probably were going to give me something from their trip. Various paintings were strewn out in the open areas around the halls. They must have gone shopping for paintings again. This was an expensive hobby for that my parents indulged themselves a lot.

"What are you going to do?" I heard my parents arguing inside my father's study. The business has not been doing well these past few years. They haven't told me anything but I already know what happened. "Our daughter will be so unhappy with what we did. We truly did something stupid this time,"

When I checked the books, it was evident that we are broke. My father has been in debt due to his gambling addiction, my mother who collected rare or vintage pieces of painting and art sculptures was also helping to increase the debt. My work has also suffered, my business hasn't taken off and I was only wasting money by attending various events to look for investors. 

I was failing due to the fact majority of the men that I approach don't believe that a woman could run a business. They were clearly mistaken and sexist but the others would only invest if I get to sleep with them. Definitely a dealbreaker there.

I gave the wooden door a stern knock. The other side of the door fell silent and then I knocked again. I heard my mother clear her throat. "Come in!" she croaked out."You both wanted to see me?" I asked incredulously. They both looked like a deer caught in headlights when I entered the room.

"I think you already know so I'm cutting to the chase. We're broke. Things got out of hand," my father explained. I rolled my eyes and then crossed my arms. "What does it have to do with me? I've moved out a long time ago and I never asked for a single euro from you both," I pointed out."We decided to marry you off," my mother piped up.

"You what?" my eyes widened in surprise due to the shocking news my mother delivered. "What in the devil's name did you two do?" I asked as I rubbed my temples.

My parents never cease to amaze me with their stupidity. I let out a sigh and look at them disgust.

"Haven't you two done enough? You already pulled this shitty stunt on Frances; you married her off with some asshole and now my older sister is dead. Wasn't debt the reason why you married her off too? Who is the unfortunate family that you owe so much this time?" I angrily reminded them of their past mistakes.

"We owe the Ainsworth family seven hundred trillion euros," my father shyly said.

My jaw dropped. They owed one of the most powerful and influential generational families that has a history and lineage that dates even way back the reign of Henry VIII. The Ainsworth family is a force to be reckoned with, and the fact that this marriage was approved by them means business.

"You are so screwed," I said to my parents.

"You will marry your groom in seven months," my mother added.

"I will not marry anyone, thank you very much. I will now go back to my home in Glasglow. You two can sort this mess out. You got yourselves into this and it is unfair that I have to suffer due to your greediness. You both already sucked as parents and this is the cherry on top," I pointed out which made them look defeated.

"You have no choice. They have already seized all our assets. Your home in Glasglow included," my father admitted. "Impossible! My name is written in the papers there. I own that place and I paid for it!" I cried out.

My father shook his head. "You know how powerful they are. They were able to seize all of our assets in just a day. We all have no choice," he added.

I wanted to scream and strangle my parents for being this dumb and stupid, but at the same time I know that throwing tantrums won't do anything regarding this matter. All I have to do is to look for other solutions that I've done before for my friends and for my clients. I'm Francine Stuart for fuck's sake, I am a descendant of Queen Mary Stuart!

I just have to show up and marry this Ainsworth bastard in seven months and live my life to the fullest. With a heavy heart, I decided to accept this shitty fate that life has given me. It really sucks to be a Stuart.

"So when will I meet my fiancé? There's probably a way to talk myself out of this," I said. "They did agree to the marriage," my mother reminded. "You are to meet their wayward son next week. Don't worry, he is an eligible bachelor but there have been strange rumors surrounding him. I'm sure you can ignore that my dear," she continued.

I groaned; I felt a migraine forming in my head. This man is probably incorrigible or a known playboy. "Fine, I'll just have to get through this shit then," I said with determination. I have cursed the heavens in so many languages possible for giving me these kinds of parents. This will sidetrack me from my goals for the whole year—my whole life.

Even if it means I have to give up another chance to be with Theo.