In your Arms

Chapter Seventy

"I will not tolerate this madness!" Henry's voice boomed like thunder inside the four walls of the study room. He slammed his fists on the table making the people inside flinch. Elenor took hold of his arm but he angrily shooed it away. He was staring angrily at Amity and Alexander.

Martin and his wife are sitting quietly on the couch with serious look on their faces. Quinn was standing near his parents with a grim expression on his face.

"You will not marry this," Henry points a finger towards Alexander. "hooligan."

Alexander looked hurt with what Henry has said and Amity gave him a worried look. She held his hand for assurance just as anger rose from her chest. They were standing on front of everyone else in the room. She turned to her father and gave him a glare.

"He is not a hooligan! You don't even know him!" She yelled. "Don't ever call him that!"

Henry scoffed. "And you think you know him better?"

Amity's jaw clenched. "I lived with him for quite sometime. Of course I do! He took care of me and protected me! He has done so much more than you ever did for me!"

Henry was struck from what she had said but that was only momentarily. His face turned in full rage once more.

"You agreed! You agreed to marry Quinn!" Henry tells her. "What you did was a disgrace to the family name! You've embarrassed your parents in front of all those people at the party!"

Amity lets out a bitter laugh. "I can't believe this.." She shook her head in dismay. "I see you still haven't changed.." She added. "Even being sick hasn't changed you.. I thought that finally you did but I guess I was wrong.. I thought that finally, I have my father back.. I should've not expected.." Tears brimmed in her eyes as she looked at her father with disappointment. "All you ever think of is the family's riches, but what about me? I'm your daughter." Henry became quiet and looked away.

"You will not disobey me, Amity. You're right. I am your father. You have no right to disobey your own father. I am doing this for you." He turned to her again. "You will marry Quinn whether you like it or not. Even if it means I have to force you."

"Sir--" Quinn butted in.

"And you," Henry turned to Alexander. "Leave my daughter alone and never show your face ever again. I will give you a generous amount of money in return if you swear that you do."

Everyone was shocked hearing Henry's words. Elenor couldn't believe her husband would say such thing. Martin and his wife flinched on their seat. Alexander on the other hand clenched his fists. He felt ashamed and hurt just by hearing Henry's words. Amity felt the same.

"How could you.." Amity muttered.

"I only want was best for you, Amity. And clearly, this young man can never give it to you." Henry's voice was firm. "He doesn't deserve you. He is not capable to give you the life that you deserve. He's—"

"Stop it!" Amity screamed. "Stop!" Tears streamed down her cheeks. "All my life all I ever did was to listen to every word you say! All my life I became a good daughter to you and follow all of your rules! All my life I gave up the things that could make me happy because you were against it! All my life I became the daughter every father could ever hope for! And now that I've finally found something worth fighting for you will take it away from me?" She croaked. "I will not let you do that!"

Alexander looked at her feeling overwhelmed with what he had heard from her. He couldn't help not to smile a bit. Deep inside Henry's words had crushed him and it had made him numb and stiff. Hearing Amity's words softened him. He realized how much he means to her and it made him calm. Right then and there he wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let her go.