Compelled

11. Ego's

"I was just thinking of you, darling. Thought you weren't going to come to see your old, frail mother before she went in for her surgery." The voice of my joking mother made me smile as I entered the ward. There were two nurses at her side assisting her and prepping her before they could take her in.

My dad was seated on the chair to the left of the room. His heavy eyes locked with mine but I shot him a glare refusing to fall for his puppy dog face and useless excuses again. He stood up and after staring out the window for a full minute, he left much to my satisfaction. The nurses soon followed since they were done and said they'll be back soon to take her to the operating theatre.

I neared her until I stood beside her brushing her hair behind her ears. "I think you're more scared for this than I am but you shouldn't be because I am going to be alright." She said confidently without even a faltering of her tone.

I smiled at her widely. "I will be right here until you're done." She nodded then paused to think for a second.

"I'll be asleep after the surgery so please don't wait up and lose sleep of your own because I certainly wouldn't be losing any." I shook my head at her and her bright attitude and laughed. She looked at me with so much of love and adoration that I could feel my heart melt.

"I love you, Scarlett, so very much and if anything happens to me-" her bright facade fell and her lips quivered. I threw my hands around her and kissed my hair.

"You're going to be just fine, Mom." She inhaled tearily and tapped my hand. She pursed he lips as if she was considering if she should say what she wanted to or let it go unsaid. She shrugged making her decision and threw silence to the wind.

She eyes me seriously while still grasping my hand. "Chase Wright is such an awful human being." She wrinkled her nose in disgust. I couldn't agree because then she'd frown and ask why I was marrying him them and that would not be a topic of want to reveal to her right now so instead I shot her a look.

"I met him at a party that your father was once invited too. The man is such an inconsiderate a*s. He threw red wine at a waitress because she took too long to bring him a napkin." Yeesh, this guy just kept getting better.

"He can be a tad bit obnoxious sometimes." She waved my feeble reasoning aside then rolled her eyes. If my mother wasn't in this situation I would be lashing out at how horrendously pathetic Chase Wright actually was.

"Oh please, obnoxious is an understatement. Get you a Justin. He's way better and a hundred times more the man than this Wright kid could ever dream of being." I shot her a look but that didn't deter her strong opinions. I couldn't agree with her loudly but mentally, I did.

"Sorry, I just had to get it out." She said when I didn't say anything after that. I placed a kiss on her forehead just as Liana, Justin and the two nurses entered.

Liana came to stand by me and near my mother who she hugged and wished all the best. My mother smiled at her and Liana moved to stand further away giving Justin a chance.

He wasn't in a suit today but in jeans and a t-shirt. His cologne tickled my sense as he neared my mother and I. He acknowledged me with a stare and then held my mother's hand firmly in his. "We're going to be right here throughout the procedure." He told her and she just smiled ever so lovingly at him.

"Like I told Scarlett, don't inconvienience yourselves after the operation is done. Get some rest because I will be knocked out for a good while." She joked with him too and we all laughed before a silence filled the room, the air got thick with the worry and reality of what exactly what happening.

My mother sighed and when I looked up she and Justin were in secret conversation. Her lips had a small secretive smirk and he raised a brow at her. His arm reached out and wound around my neck. I huffed preparing to express my outrage when he ruffled my hair with his other arm.

I groaned and pushed away from him. "I will take care of this annoying offspring of yours. Don't you worry and besides, you're going to be alright. I mean, you better be because I cannot put up with this wild child for too long." I shot him a glare and he reached to ruffle my hair again but I side stepped him wiggling my brows in victory. And that was exactly what I found comforting with Justin. The air rarely stayed stiff and tense around him. He was like a laughter virus.

The nurses told us it was time to leave and soon after her bed was being wheeled down the end of the hallway and to the left where the operation was going to be carried out. My mother flashed me a meaningful smiled before she disappeared completely from my view.

I let out a huff and settled in next to Liana along the wall benches that matched the rest of the grey color schemes hospitals usually had going on. It was going to be a few hours so we'd better get comfy.

My dad strolled into view, his head unashamedly high. I didn't bother to spare him any attention and focused on Justin instead. He was leaning against the wall not bothering either to make conversation with my father and just slid him the most businesslike nod I've ever seen and looked back at the spot he previously was staring at.

An hour into the operation, Liana's phone rang and it seemed really urgent. She spoke in a hushed tone but her eyebrows were raised at whatever the other person was saying. I told her to go but she shook her head stubbornly but then her face grew serious at something that the speaker said I nudged her again, telling her sternly to go. She hesitated then sighed and told whoever it was that she'd be there.

"Head of rehearsal." She said with a huff after she hung up. "I'm so sorry-" She started to apologise but I wasn't going to let her. I knew she'd do anything to be here but she had a life of her own. The fact that she sacrificed a part of her day to be and offer her support for an hour at least meant a lot already.

"Shhh and just go. Give me a call when you're done and home safe." She nodded saying that I should call her too once the operation was done. Liana placed a small kiss on my cheek before she left.

At the half way mark my eyes was fixed into the shiny floor while my mind wondered far. These surgeries were so unpredictable. One moment, everything could be alright and in just a split second, everything could go downhill.

I squeezed my eyes, sending a prayer for my mother's life. I'd hate to think of living without her so when the thoughts in my head started to creep down that way, I shook my head banishing them.

Justin's footsteps got me looking up only to see him standing directly in front of me. He seemed bored out of his mind, tired and a tad bit in need of freshing up.

The entire time that he was seated across from me on the wooden bench he was busy with what I assumed were emails of business since it required all of his attention and a very concentrated frown on his forehead.

"I'm going to stretch my legs and maybe get some coffee." He said holding out his hand for me to take it. I stared at the theatre door then back at his hand. I wanted to be here when it was all done and going might just cause me to miss it.

Justin scoffed. "They're still going to be busy when we get back." He said matter of factly and I agreed, taking his hand for support as I stood up. His hands were warm and since mine were cold, it actually felt really good. I could feel his stare on me so I retracted my hand only to have it scooped right back into his.

My cheeks heated up and he smiled tenderly but that stabbed my heart as it always did. I took a deep breath then caught the eye of my unsettled father who observed out interaction the entire time. I didn't have a chance to say anything because Justin was already guiding us into the elevator.

"You don't have to stay here the entire time, you know. You've been here long enough and I'm certain my mother won't hold you accountable for not being here. Heck, she wouldn't even know. It's still early and you have a business to see to." He lead us to a small table that seat two when I spoke. Justin just scoffed as if I said the most absurd thing he's ever heard.

"If we're considering your logic than why don't we leave together. Your mother wouldn't know anyways." He said sarcastically and I rolled my eyes which made him smile.

"Touché." He wiggled his brow like he was keeping a mental record. The light mood instantly wafted away when a chair was dragged and pull next to me. My dad settled into the chair with a self satisfied grin as if he's just struck the lottery.

My nose flared at their own accord at the resentment I felt for my own father. "Let me give you a heads up, my boy." His tone was dripping of malice that had me dumbstruck. "We believe in the tradition of dowry." He stared pointedly at Justin whose face was displaying revulsion and the same startled look that I was feeling.

It was crystal clear what he was hinting at and being the opportunist that he was, attempted to make a quick buck out of it. How many times did he plan on making money at my expense. Dowry was something he always advised against. Said he didn't understand the concept and woman should not be sold yet here he was being a contradiction.

"And by we he pretty much means him." I ignored him and spoke to Justin feeling satisfied when his jaw clenched at being ignored. The situation wasn't going as he had wanted it to and it was really delusional to assume that it would.

"And since I am your father I am entitled to the dowry that I demand whether you share my belief in it or not." The facade of maturity that he was putting on to add to his belief made me was to laugh damn b****y hard.

"You lost the right to call yourself my father the day you bargained with my freedom and moms life for your own goddamn selfish reasons." I burst out unable to contain my frustration any longer. He was taken aback at my growing a backbone but the surprise vanished replaced by his previous superior mask and it seemed like he no longer cared to hide his true face.

"You'll find Chase quiet the guy. He'll certainly keep you in a cage and what a small price to pay for all that luxurious comfort and wealth, not to mention the status it'll bring you." As he spoke my anger blazed stronger. He held his head high, nose in the air as if he was the most respected man who would never commit a sin. Him believing my obedience belonged to a man in exchange for riches was a good bargain made me hate him immensely.

"Not all of us are selfishly driven by the greed for wealth like you that we'd degrade ourselves for it." I spat out and his eyes widened at the insult. My legs straightened and I stood up. "And before you start counting your dowry money, you should know that nothing of that sort runs between Mr Pearson and I."

I stormed out of the cafeteria and though my intention was to head for the elevator to go back up to my mother, my feet moved towards the bathroom. Pushing the door open, checking to make sure no one was there before I dropped to my knees, buried my face in my hands and cried the anger and pain out.

Father's were supposed to take care of their children. To protect them. Guide them. Not use them for their personal gain. The hardest part was that he was that father when I was younger but not anymore. Not until he lost everything which made it difficult to believe he'd turn against me like this. My chest clenched and the tears fell heavily.

When my mother was stable enough I would reveal my father's actions to her. I wasn't going to say anything to her but after witnessing that frenzied look in his eyes, she needed to be aware and on alert.

Taking deep breaths, I stood up avoiding looking into the mirror since I already knew how horrible I'd look. I wiped my cheeks with my fingertips but my lips still quivered and my vision remained blurry as I pulled open the door then bumped into a tall, muscular figure.

I started to apologise when I realised who it was. Justin sighed as his gaze ran over my tear stricken face. "My cry baby." He whispered just before circling me in his arms and into an embrace. I laughed lightly through the tears then rested my cheek against his chest relishing the comfort that it offered.

A while later after my face no longer looked like a stream, we went back to the operating floor. The surgery should be on the verge of completion and I wanted to speak to the doctors. Justin didn't say anything and stayed silent for most if the time until the elevator doors opened.

"I have a solution to free you from the Wrights." Was all he said before walking ahead of me. I didn't get the chance to question him as to the how because the doctor emerged from operating room.

The doctors shoulders were upright, his head held high and a satisfied smile on his face. Seeing that the knot that had been inside my stomach since this morning eased up.

"The procedure is successful. All of the tumor has been removed." He said looking around probably for my father but he wasn't there and I wasn't complaining about that. "However, she has to do a follow up just to ensure that it isn't regrowing." I nodded intently and the doctor left.

Knowing that she was okay and everything had went on smoothly, we left since staying would be pointless now especially since we wouldn't even get to see her.

It was just bleeding into sunset when we exited the hospital. The sun was a tie-dye of colors making it the perfect sunset.

Justin insisted I go with him back home but after explaining that I wanted to stop by Liana for a bit he understood and drove off.

I stopped by Liana's but she was there yet so after waiting for a full ten minutes I decided to leave but still when I spotted her figure mount the stairs of her apartment. We spoke for a while with me filling her in on how the operation had gone and she on her meeting. We sat down for hot chocolate that Liana make which was the best thing ever.

I left when it was dark. I frowned when I neared the gate of Justin's house when a sleek black car was hidden behind the hedge. Before I could turn into the driveway, a tall male figure stepped out of the vehicle. Chase.

Cutting of the engine and getting out, I met him halfway. His face was the same egotistic and pride filled as always. His eyes travelled to my hands that were holding my keys in them.

He frowned, a tinge of rage filling his face. "So we haven't worn the ring yet." He said sternly but I didn't car. As selfish as it sounded, my mother was okay so I didn't care anymore.

I wasn't given a chance to speak even if I wanted to. "This Pearson and you seem to have rep." His voice was hard and I knew my father conveyed his assumptions to the Wrights. "I don't like sharing nor do I fancy competition." He stared at me pointedly when I scoffed. His hand firmly grasped my arm when I turned to leave. I winced at how powerful his hold was. He didn't even care if he inflicted any damage just as long as he was obeyed.

"I owe you nothing. You have a business deal with my father not me. You loaned him money, not me. I didn't formally sign anything accepting this stupid agreement." I ground out and his hold tightened to the point of making me scream out in pain but I suppressed it. "If you require payment then I will return the value of the cost it took for my mother's surgery but the balance is solely between Dan Miller and you."

He laughed letting go of my arm. I instinctively rubbed over the pain where his hands had been. "You no longer have a choice. Unless you have something worthy for me to drop this agreement then you're at a loss. You're now just a pawn in a bigger game." He muttered tightly then retracted his steps back to his car.

I turned to get back too when his chilling voice stopped me. "Mingle with Pearson and I swear nothing but ruin will come his way." His threat echoed through the night. The sound if his engine roaring to life made me jump as he sped away and the further he went away, the more at peace I felt.

Chase wasn't jealous but this threat was because he didn't want to be seen as someone engaged to a woman whose running around with someone else. It would put a damper on his reputation. That's all it was to him. A big game of who won. His ego wouldn't tolerate embarrasment or defeat.