A Marriage Of Reprisal

The cab came to a halt, and Norah jumped out without waiting for the driver to turn off his car engine. She tried to reach the burning house, but the area was crowded with passersby and firefighters running helter-skelter, attempting to extinguish the blaze.

She maneuvered her way through the crowd as gently as she could until she managed to break free. Norah hurried towards her house, lucky to encounter her neighbor waiting outside. She was the one who alerted the firefighters when the fire started.

“My parents, where are my parents? Please, don't tell me they are inside.” Norah struggled to speak, her sanity slipping away as she witnessed the chaos. She wished it were all just a bad dream that her house wasn't engulfed in flames.

“I don't know; I'm not certain, but your parents weren't outside when the fire started. I was about to leave when I heard screams coming from inside.” The lady replied, holding Norah back as she attempted to run towards the burning house.

“No! No! Please let me go. I have to get my parents out. We can't lose them both; they are all we have gotten. We have to save them.” Norah cried bitterly. This was her worst nightmare; she never imagined a day like this would come where she had to watch her parents cry for help, but there was nothing she could do.

As she tried to break free from the lady's grasp, her sister appeared out of the blue and held her closely, shaking her to bring her back to her senses.

“Where are Mother and Father? Please tell me they weren't inside when the fire started?” Amber's eyes welled up, but she fought to hold back the tears. This isn't the time to be crying.

“Amber, we have to save our parents. Please, let's do something. Father is in there; we can't let them die.” Norah pleaded profusely, clinging to her sister's shirt.

Amber quickly released her grip from Norah and grabbed one of the firefighters, stopping him in his tracks. He looked in her direction with a perplexed expression marred on his face.

“Where are my parents? What happened to them?”

“They are inside, and if you don't let me go, we won't be able to bring them out alive.” He responded, and she quickly let go of him. Amber sank to the ground, while Norah burst into even louder sobs.

“Your parents will be fine; you don't have to keep crying. They will bring them out.” The lady consoled them, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was coercing herself to stay strong for them.

Ten more agonizing minutes passed, and the firefighters continued their efforts. Amber struggled to stay strong for her sister, but she was slowly crumbling. A single tear escaped her eye, and she hastily wiped it away.

She slowly rose from the floor and turned to her left, scrutinizing the precinct when her gaze fell on a figure she recognized that minute. She approached Norah and whispered something in her ear.

“Did you call him?” Amber asked, still staring in his direction. Norah went mute, followed her gaze, and just then, she locked eyes with Liam.

Memories of the earlier threats crept into her mind. The chilling words about harming anyone just to be with her played on repeat.

Norah's legs felt heavy as she approached him, tears streaming down her face. She stopped in front of him, staring at him with fury.

Liam stared back, unsure of what to say to her. This wasn't what he had expected when he received a text message from an unknown number. He was pleased coming over to her house, only for him to get here to witness something agonizing.

“Is this how you planned to marry me after killing my parents? What do you want from my family? I turned you down months back; why are you back?” Norah's voice trembled with rage and sorrow.

He remained silent, knowing she wouldn't believe him even if he denied it. There was no point in defending himself.

“I'm talking to you, murderer. What did you do to my parents? Why are you so cruel?” She roared, drawing the attention of strangers nearby.

They began to murmur, pointing fingers at him. A lot of them recognized him that instant; he had been out of New York but had to return years back. He is rumored to be an ex-convict who murdered his wife in Spain. Liam is the son of the late,late prestigious Walter, another top influential and powerful family in the entire New York.

They are into finance and investment, handling diverse portfolios, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and private equity. They are known as the top three most influential families in New York, known as Empire Capital Group.Liam quickly turned to his car to leave. He hopped inside and drove off without a word from him.

Norah collapsed to the ground, crying uncontrollably, uncaring of who might be watching her. Amber felt a pang of pain in her heart as she approached her sister and helped her up from the floor.

“We won't rest until we get our revenge. If anything happens to them, he will pay for it.” Amber mumbled in a shaky voice.

Norah slowly raised her head up, guilty of what is happening to her parents. If only she had not gotten wasted and kissed him that night, they would never have had to cross paths, she thought. But unbeknownst to her, this was their fate.

“Are you saying he's involved? He threatened me earlier, but I never thought he would go this far.” Norah said, her voice trembling with disbelief." She just couldn't comprehend how much he loves her to go to such an extent just to be with her. Or perhaps this was his way of dealing with her after what she did to him.

Regret was all Amber could feel; this was the same man she asked her sister to give a chance to love her better. The same man who had to threaten her with her parents, the same man their father would probably not consent to her being with.

Amber cupped her sister's face in her hands. “Listen, father and mother will be fine; let's wait until they put out the fire.” Norah just nodded and pulled her into a hug.

Mrs. Kate, who has been standing watching the both of them, marched forward and pulled them in for a hug.

“They will be fine.” She muttered.