What agreement?

(Livia) I looked at Julian's father, waiting for him to explain why the trustees were questioning our marriage. Nobody had mentioned anything about needing to prove that I wanted to marry Julian. His mother appeared equally surprised by the announcement. Julian was the first person to speak. "Why would they question whether she agreed?" His father looked at him. "Because the bride was changed without anyone being informed beforehand." "That doesn't make the marriage invalid." "Nobody said it did." Julian looked at me before turning back to his father. I could tell he wasn't pleased with the situation. His parents had spent the past hour arranging photographs to convince everyone we were happy. Now someone wanted to know whether I had even wanted the wedding. "Who requested the meeting?" "One of the senior trustees, Mr. Whitmore." Julian frowned. "He's known our family for years." "Which is why I'm surprised he's making this difficult." I listened without interrupting. They were discussing my marriage as though I wasn't standing beside them. Not one person had asked how I felt about meeting the trustees. I wondered whether they were afraid of what I might say. His mother turned toward me. "Livia, you understand that you agreed to marry Julian, correct?" I looked at her. "Did I have a choice?" She appeared offended. "Of course you had a choice." "Then why did my parents tell me I had to do it?" Julian looked at me. "That's something you should discuss with them." "I already know what they'll say." His father raised his hand. "We don't need to argue about this." I looked at him. "Then why are you asking me questions?" "Because we need to make sure everyone understands the circumstances." I folded my arms. There was nothing complicated about what had happened. Camille disappeared, and my parents decided I would replace her. Julian agreed because he didn't want to lose his inheritance. "Are you expecting me to tell them I was happy to marry your son?" His mother answered immediately. "You should be grateful you married into this family." I stared at her. "Grateful?" "Many women would appreciate the opportunity you've been given." I looked around the expensive sitting room. Everything in the mansion probably cost more than I would earn in several years. Yet I was sleeping in a room that had previously been used for storage. Apparently, I was supposed to appreciate that. "Then perhaps one of those women would have been happier marrying Julian." His mother looked furious. "Watch how you speak to me." Julian stepped between us. "Enough." I looked at him. "Your mother started it." "I'm not interested in who started it." His father closed the folder and placed it on a nearby table. He looked at his wife before turning his attention to Julian. I expected him to tell us to stop arguing. Instead, he brought up something that made me curious. "Mr. Whitmore requested copies of the original wedding arrangements." Julian frowned. "What original arrangements?" "The documents prepared before Camille disappeared." I looked at his father. The wedding had been planned for Camille, so I wasn't surprised there were documents. What confused me was why the trustees needed them. Julian appeared to be wondering the same thing. "What does that have to do with Livia?" "They want to understand when the decision was made to replace Camille." I couldn't believe someone was finally asking that question. My parents had given me very little time to prepare for the wedding. I had been too frightened to question anything. Now I wanted to know whether the decision had been discussed before Camille disappeared. "Will my parents have to answer questions too?" His father looked at me. "Possibly." "Good." Julian turned toward me. "What is that supposed to mean?" "It means they should explain why they forced me into this marriage." "Nobody forced you to stand beside me." I looked at him. "You really believe that?" "You could have refused." I couldn't believe how easily he said it. Julian had money, a company, and people willing to protect his interests. I had parents who made every important decision for me. Refusing them had never been as simple as he wanted to believe. "You don't know anything about my life." "And I don't intend to." His answer hurt more than I wanted to admit. I hadn't expected kindness from him, but hearing how little he cared still bothered me. His mother seemed satisfied with his response. I decided I had heard enough. "Are we finished?" His father looked surprised. "We still need to discuss the dinner." "Then send me the information." I turned toward the entrance. Julian called my name before I reached the doorway. I stopped because I wanted to know what else he had to say. He approached me while his parents watched. "Don't make any plans for next week." I looked at him. "I wasn't planning anything." "And don't contact the trustees without telling me." "Why would I contact them?" "Because you've made it clear you're unhappy." I stared at him. "You think I need to call someone to prove that?" Julian didn't answer. I walked away before he could give me another instruction. I was tired of everyone treating my unhappiness as something inconvenient. Nobody seemed interested in why I felt that way. When I reached my room, I removed the shoes and sat on the bed. My feet were aching after standing through the photographs. I looked at the blue dress and wondered whether Julian's mother would complain about it again. Then my phone rang. It was my father. I considered ignoring him, but I wanted answers about the wedding arrangements. He had been involved in everything from the beginning. If anyone knew when the decision to replace Camille had been made, it was him. I answered before the call ended. "Livia, I just spoke to Charles Prescott." "Then you know about the trustees." "Yes, and I expect you to cooperate." I stood and walked toward the window. My father hadn't even bothered asking how I was doing. He only cared about what the trustees might discover. I decided to ask him something before he started giving more instructions. "When did you decide I would marry Julian?" He paused. "What kind of question is that?" "Did you decide after Camille disappeared?" "Of course." "Then why are the trustees asking for the original wedding documents?" My father didn't answer immediately. I could hear someone speaking near him before he moved away from the conversation. When he finally responded, his voice sounded different. He was no longer pretending to be patient. "Stay out of matters you don't understand." "Then explain them to me." "Your responsibility is to remain Julian's wife." "And what happens if I don't want to?" "You don't have that option." I looked at the door, remembering how Julian had said I could have refused. My father had just confirmed what I already knew. I had never been allowed to make that decision. I wondered what Julian would say if he heard him. "Why did you choose me?" "Because Camille was unavailable." "That's not what I'm asking." My father sighed. "Livia, there are things about this agreement you don't need to know." I stopped beside the bed. His answer made me more suspicious than anything else he had said. He had always expected me to obey without asking questions. But this agreement involved my entire future. "What things?" "Leave it alone." "Father." He interrupted me. "And whatever happens, do not mention the agreement your mother and I signed with Charles." I stared at my phone. "What agreement?" My father ended the call.