Chapter 7
Her grandmother looked down at their hands. “Because he’s lost without her and when people are lost, they try to fix things the wrong way. Your dad… he thinks keeping everything controlled means he’s keeping us safe but he’s wrong.”
“I can’t do it, Grandma,” Nathalie said, her voice shaking. “I can’t marry someone I don’t even know. I can’t give up my whole life for some man I’ve never met.”
“You don’t have to,” Grandma said quickly. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I will talk to him again. I’ll make him see sense. If I have to fight him on this, I will.”
Nathalie’s eyes searched hers. “Will he listen to you?”
Grandma touched her cheek gently. “He might not. But I’ll still stand beside you. Even if the whole world turns away from you, I won’t. You hear me?”
Nathalie blinked, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m just… so tired of fighting.”
“I know, my love,” Grandma whispered. “But you’re not alone this time.”
A silence fell over the room for a moment. Then came a voice from the hallway.
“Nathalie, come back,” Eloise called out. “How dare you walk out on us. What nonsense.”
Nathalie stood. Her face turned hard again. Her voice was flat when she said, ”Bloody witch.”
“Wait,” her grandmother said gently. “Just hear me out. Please, sit back down.”
Nathalie hesitated.
“I’m not asking you to listen to them,” Grandma said. “I’m asking you to breathe. Just for tonight. Spend the night here and sleep. You don’t have to talk to them. You don’t have to agree to anything, but don’t run off like this. Not in this cold and not when you’re hurting.”
Nathalie crossed her arms. “I just want to go home.”
“And you will,” Grandma nodded. “In the morning. I’ll even drive you myself if you want but don’t walk out like you’re defeated. Let them see that you’re stronger than they think and you’re not scared of their plans.”
Nathalie bit her lip. “They’ll try to talk again.”
“Then don’t answer,” Grandma said. “Go to your old room. Close the door. Let them knock all they want. You owe them nothing tonight but I owe you peace. Please let me give you that.”
Nathalie slowly sat down again. Her shoulders dropped.
“I just wanted someone to choose me for once,” she said softly. “Not for what I can do or what I represent. Just… me.”
Grandma wrapped her arms around her. “I choose you, baby. Every single day and always.” Nathalie hugged her tightly.
That night after she had a conversation with her grandmother, she called Tessa. She didn’t leave a text first. She just called.
The line rang once. Twice. Then, Tessa picked up the call.
“What’s up, baby girl?” Tessa’s voice came through. It was warm and cheerful.
Nathalie didn’t answer.
“Nat?” Tessa asked, voice changing.
“I’m so pissed Tess,” Nathalie said.
“What’s going on? Talk to me.” Tessa replied.
Nathalie didn’t respond. She just held the phone to her ear and let out a slight breath.
“What happened?” Tessa asked again.
“I…..” Nathalie paused. Her voice broke. “They want me to marry someone. An arranged marriage, Tessa. I’m not kidding. I still can't get over it.
There was silence on the line. A sharp, deep silence.
“They did what?” Tessa asked, her voice low and angry.
“You remember they called me to dinner, right? I thought it was just a dinner, but it was a setup. They have already made the plans. They didn’t ask me. They just… told me.” Nathalie said.
“Who is the guy?” Tessa asked, with concern.
“I don’t know. Some rich family. I didn’t even wait to hear the name. My dad was talking about something like an alliance with the family. At this point, I don't care, Tess.” Nathalie replied.
Tessa cursed under her breath. “This is crazy. I'm finding it hard to believe what you are saying, Nat. Who the hell do they think they are? This is the 21st century, not some ancient village. This is so unfair. They didn't bother to talk to you about it properly.”
Nathalie gave a tired laugh. “That’s the point I was trying to make. I’m honestly tired.”
Nathalie’s voice cracked. “They didn’t even ask me how I was doing. Not once. They were all smiling like everything was normal. Like I’m just supposed to sit there and say thank you for ruining my life.”
Tessa’s tone turned soft but firm. “They don’t get to ruin your life. They don’t have that kind of power.”
“But they think they do. That’s the thing,” Nathalie whispered. “They think they own me, especially my father. He thinks that just because I carry his name, he can hand me over like a business deal.”
“They can think whatever they want,” Tessa said. “But they don’t get to decide what you do with your heart. That’s yours, Nat, and has always been.”
Nathalie wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. “They got on my nerves today. I was so angry. I almost crashed out. I can't believe my dad would make such a decision without my consent. And the next thing he could come up with was that my mother would have wanted the same thing.”
“What? Wow, interesting. I think your dad went too far.” Tessa said.
Nathalie closed her eyes.“I wanted to believe my grandma called me home because she missed me,” Nathalie whispered. “I thought maybe… just maybe… they wanted me around. I should have known that my instincts were telling me something.”
“Of course you thought that and it’s because you have a heart,” Tessa said. “You believe in people even when they don’t deserve it.”
“They ambushed me,” Nathalie said.
“I know, baby. I’m so sorry.” Tessa replied.
“I didn’t even get a chance to scream. I just sat there defending myself while they told me how they planned my future without me and their invalid reasons for it.”
Tessa let out a shaky breath. “I wish I could reach through this phone and hold you and probably punch someone, then hug you again.”
Nathalie gave a small smile. “You’d punch Eloise first.”
“Oh, no question,” Tessa replied. “And your dad? I’d slap that slicked-back hair right off his head.”
That made Nathalie laugh again. Just a little.
“You always know what to say and it's always at the right time,” she said.
“That’s because I know you,” Tessa said softly. “I know that when you get quiet like this, your brain is spinning too fast and I know you’re scared but you are trying to hide it so bad. But Nat, you’re allowed to be scared. You’re also allowed to say no.”
Nathalie stayed quiet.
“Listen,” Tessa continued, voice steady. “You don’t have to run away forever, but if you need a break? I’m here. You want to disappear for a weekend? You can board a train and come over and we'll go. You want to stay here and cry? I’ve got tissues and chocolate. Just tell me what you need.”
You won’t believe that my dad looked me in the eyes and said I owe the family.” Nathalie said.
Tessa made a disgusted sound. “You owe them nothing. Your existence is not a debt.”
There was silence again.
Then Nathalie whispered, “What if I say no to all of it, and they cut me off? Can you imagine that? Why would a father say that to his child?” And Eloise tried to interrupt and make the situation worse.”
“That's bad. I don't seem to understand why your dad is unnecessarily mean to you. It's honestly not fair.” Tessa said.
“Can we pick another topic? Remembering the whole drama is pissing me off.” Nathalie said, running her hand through her hair.
“Anyways, where are you now?” Tessa asked.
“I’m still here. Just finished having a conversation with my grandma a few minutes ago.” Nathalie replied.
“I feel like running,” Nathalie added. “I have plans to go home tomorrow. Can't afford to spend another day in this toxic environment.”
Tessa didn’t answer right away. Then, softly, she said, “I need you to take everything easy. You'll be fine. And don’t forget that you always have me. You hear me? No matter what they say, or plan, or try to control…you are not alone.”
Nathalie’s eyes filled again. “Thanks, Tessa.”
“You want me to burn their house down?” Tessa asked.
Nathalie laughed, the first real laugh that night. “You’re crazy.”
“Crazy for you,” Tessa said. “Well, you’re welcome, and don’t forget,” Tessa added, “next time you think about marrying someone, at least let me crash the wedding in a glitter dress.”
“What you just said is totally out of context Tessa. How about we talk about your marriage?” Nathalie said.
Tessa laughed over the phone. “Oh please, you and I know that I don't have any plans for that now. I just want to have fun.”
“I love you, okay?” Tessa added.
“Ewwwww…… love you too, a bit though. Good night.” Nathalie whispered.
She ended the call and placed her phone back on the bedside table.
