PROLOGUE

Emily sat down and gazed absent-mindly at the green carpet in her parent's living room. She didn't know what to believe of the news that was addressed earlier that morning. It wasn't something she planed; yet here it was. A decision she wasn't allowed to make for herself, but one that would be concluded for her. Was it there right to tread on her life? It didn't matter because she was their daughter. Emily's family was respected, and now came her duty to keep up the family name. And so it was done like that. Richard and her would be married in less then two months. It didn't matter if she loved him; it was her obligation, one that would possibly always make her miserable. The date was set, the husband named, the decision made. All she could do now was sit down and reflect on her new life, one that she never conceived of. The thought of running away entered her mind, yet was quickly returned to its dark dwelling. Emily, run away from this? This home, this life, the only one she knew. No, she had to stay. She knew that, and so the misery grew inside.