Chapter 5
Miranda’s POV
I shake my head, trying to clear the fog of disbelief, but the room spins with every thought of his request.
“Grandfather, I… I don’t understand,” I stammer, my voice barely audible. “You want me to marry… someone I don’t know?”
My grandfather’s eyes, though tired and clouded by pain, sparkle with a determination that I can’t quite fathom. “Yes, my dear Miranda,” he replies softly. “I want you to marry Luca’s son. It is the only way to secure our legacy and fulfill my dying wish.”
I step back abruptly, almost losing my balance. “But I—I’ve never even met him properly. How can you expect me to agree to something so sudden?”
How could he ask something so outlandish?
I can’t believe that after all these years of tradition and pride, he would demand something that shakes the very foundation of everything I thought I knew about our family.
Before I can articulate any further protest, I bump into my father. He stands there, his face a mixture of concern and exasperation, as if he’s been expecting this moment all along.
“Miranda, wait,” Dad says, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Please, listen to me.”
I turn to face him, my eyes glistening with tears of frustration and disbelief. “How can I possibly agree, Dad? Grandfather is asking me to marry a stranger just to honor some old promise or some dying wish he thinks is more important than my own happiness.”
My father sighs deeply, his gaze softening as he leads me out into the cool evening air.
We sat in silence but I can still hear my grandfather’s words echoing in my ears. I am utterly dumbfounded.
“Miranda, you know I’ve never gone against your wishes, even when you decided to leave the company to go to Los Angeles and live a simpler life as a secretary. You always have had the strength to make your own choices, and I’ve respected that.”
“But this isn’t a choice at all,” I protest, my voice rising with emotion. “It’s an ultimatum from a dying man who, I’m sure, isn’t thinking clearly. I can’t just accept this arranged marriage without even knowing Luca’s son, let alone building any connection with him!”
Dad’s tone softens as he speaks. “I understand how you feel, Miranda. Believe me, I do. But think of how much your grandfather loves you. He has always believed in you, and his wish, as difficult as it seems, is his final act of care. He wants you to have the security and continuity of our family’s legacy. This isn’t about control, it’s about preserving something sacred to all of us.”
I shake my head vigorously, feeling my heart pounding in anger and sadness. “I’m not ready for marriage, Dad. I never thought I would be forced into something like this. I have my own dreams, my own life. I’m not some pawn in a game of legacy and inheritance.”
He turns and faces me directly, his eyes locking with mine in earnest. “Miranda, listen to me,” he says, his voice low and resolute. “I have always supported you. When you wanted to leave everything behind and go to LA, I didn’t stop you. I allowed you to follow your heart even if it meant going against our family’s expectations. But sometimes, there are responsibilities that come with being a part of this family, responsibilities that sometimes require sacrifices.”
I pause, biting my lip as his words sink in. “Sacrifices… I suppose you think that honoring grandfather’s wish is a sacrifice I should accept?”
“Not a sacrifice, exactly,” Dad replies. “More like a duty. A duty born out of love for him and for the family. I know you feel trapped, but sometimes our personal desires must be weighed against the promises we’ve made and the legacy we are meant to uphold.”
I let out a shaky breath, feeling torn between my own desires and the weight of family legacy. “I’m scared, Dad. I’m scared that if I agree, I’ll lose myself in something that isn’t really me. I’m not ready for marriage. I’m not ready to be tied down by a decision made for me before I even had a say.”
“Look,” Dad says gently, “I’m not asking you to jump into anything without understanding it. Just… consider it. Maybe meet him first. Talk to him, see if there’s a spark, or at the very least, see if you can understand the man your grandfather wants you to be with. It might not be perfect, but sometimes, life surprises us in ways we never expected.”
I look away, tears welling in my eyes, conflicted and overwhelmed. “I don’t know, Dad. It feels like I’m being cornered into something that I have no control over.”
He laughs softly, a sound that is both comforting and sad. “Life is full of corners, Miranda. And sometimes, you have to step into them to find the light on the other side. I promise you, I’ve never forced you to do anything, and I won’t force you now. I only ask that you consider your grandfather’s wish with an open heart.”
I want to argue, to shout that I am not ready, that my dreams are my own, but as I see the earnest hope in my father’s eyes, I realize that I have always looked up to him for guidance.
“Alright, Dad,” I whisper at last. “I’ll think about it. I promise I’ll meet him and talk to him. But I’m not making any promises about marriage.”
Dad smiles gently. “That’s all I ask, my Princess. Just give it a chance. Your grandfather deserves that much from you.”
“I understand.”
Dad nods. “That’s a wise decision, Katrina. Let’s go speak with him now.”
We walk slowly down the corridor, the familiar creak of the wooden floorboards accompanying our steps, until we reach my grandfather’s room.
I push it open gently, and the moment he saw me, a gentle smile played on his lips despite everything.
“Grandpa,” I say softly, stepping closer.
“Miranda, my dear,” he whispers, his voice filled with both joy and sorrow. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
Before I can speak, my father steps forward. “Father, I wanted to let you know that Miranda has agreed to consider meeting Luca’s son. She understands your wish and is willing to talk to him further.”
My grandfather’s face split into a smile and he stretched his hand forward. I took it and he pulled me into a hug.
