Contractual Love

"Mama, papa, what do you mean?" Yoko uttered. A phantom notification tone drums against her eardrum. It mocked her. Her mind reels back to the news articles, to the headlines.

"Our families have been allies for centuries, sweetheart, but it's time we go beyond joint ventures and mergers, don't you think?"

Please don't say it.

"Marriage is the oldest contract in the world, so it's been decided. We'll cement our relationship with the Malisorns, become one family with them."

No. Don't.

"Yoko, you'll be marrying Faye."

Fuck.

or

Yoko always knew that her life was never truly hers. From the day she was born, her path has been set, and she was fine with that. She loves her family, enjoys the business, and thrives under the pressures they put her under, but she never thought her family would force her to marry Faye Malisorn.

Faced with an impossible decision between pleasing family and self-preservation, Yoko runs.

She should have known there's nowhere on Earth she could hide where she wouldn't be found.