Chapter 16
Once Craig returned home, he announced the engagement between his daughter and Dean. The young couple barely knew each other and there was definitely no romance. But she was concerned for her father's health while he needed to get along with his parents, who were financially supporting him. This situation had taken away from Deirdre whatever gave her happiness. Paul was permanently out of her life, the dreams she had for studies remained dreams and moreover, she was to marry a man she didn't love. In the evening of the engagement, the Carlson residence was full of people, who celebrated a union that filled her with so much discomfort. She sadly wore the green gown Renée had offered her and looked at the mirror. No matter how beautiful she was in her expensive dress, the jewelry and make-up, her eyes showed her sorrow. Her parents of course didn't notice but Patrick saw it right away.
''Are you sure you want to do this?'', he asked standing beside her in front of the mirror.
''I have no choice. His heart is too weak. If anything happens to him, how could I live with myself?'', she said absolutely terrified. ''I can't have such a burden on my conscience''. Patrick gave her a hug and when she found her strength, she wore a fake smile and held his hand.
''Ready to face them?''
''Let's go''. They went out to the hall but as they passed by their parents's room, they heard them talking loudly.
''I'll never forgive you, Craig!'', Renée shouted and the two siblings went closer to the door in order to listen.
''I don't understand why this bothers you so much!''
''You don't? Alright, let me explain: We really thought that we could lose you. Do you have any idea how scared I was?''
''I'm sorry, darling. I would never upset you like this but you know… The end justifies the means. If I hadn't come up with this plan, our daughter would be long gone. Would you rather that?''
''No, of course not. But…''
''No 'buts''', he interrupted. ''I did this for our family. This is the only thing that matters. Our daughter is here with us and is about to marry Dean. Everything came through exactly as we hoped, Renée''.
Deirdre stepped away from the door without making a sound. 'So… It was all a ruse and I believed him, I'm such a fool!', she thought with tears in her eyes and went straight to her bedroom.
''He lied?'', Patrick exclaimed following her. He was having a very hard time believing all this. ''But how could he do such a horrible thing?''
''How else could he make me agree to this?'', Deirdre replied sitting on her bed and holding her head with both hands. ''Who does this?'', she shouted unable to control herself. ''Who tells such a lie? Who blackmails his own child? I can't look at them again, Patrick. If I see him, I don't know how I'll react''.
''But how can you avoid them? Especially tonight?''
''I won't come down. I'm leaving'', Deirdre said determined.
''Are you crazy? You can't just disappear''.
''I can… But I need your help. Please, don't abandon me now that I need you the most''. The way she looked at him left him no choice.
''What do you want me to do?''
The guests were expecting the bride but time was passing and she didn't make her appearance. Craig reassured them saying that Deirdre obviously wanted to increase the groom's anticipation but the idea that something was wrong was stuck in his mind.
''Go upstairs and see what is going on'', he told Renée silently. Before she even made a step though, Patrick showed up on the top of the staircase.
''Attention, please'', he said aloud and everyone went silent. Craig and Renée looked at each other bewildered. ''On behalf of my family I would like to thank you all for coming here tonight but I must inform you that the night must come to an end because my sister is indisposed. Therefore, the engagement party will be postponed. Thank you''. Craig and Renée apologized to everyone and ran upstairs to find Patrick outside Deirdre's door.
''What on earth was that? Where is Deirdre?'', Craig demanded to know.
''Deirdre has left, father''.
''What?''
''She left, because she couldn't even stand to look at you. The truth is neither can I, so imagine how difficult it must be for my sister. How could you tell such a lie? We believed that you almost died and in the meantime you were plotting to get to your goal? You forced her to leave the man she loved to keep your fortune? You have absolutely no idea how ashamed we are of you right now'', said Patrick and with one last look at his parents, got out of their sight. Craig and Renée stood there looking at each other and then opened the door searching for Deirdre. Soon they realized they were standing in the middle of an empty room, where the only sound coming in from the open window were the distant voices of the guests who had slowly begun to leave.