mother sat pale and shaken, her eyes fixed on the floor. "That's not fair," she whispered. "Sara's a grown woman. She makes her own decisions." But Sara's father wouldn't listen. "A grown woman?" he sneered. "She's still a child, and she needs to be

Joe's mother back. Joe's father appeared behind his wife, a friendly smile on his face. "Hey there, Sara! Great to meet you. Come on in, kids." As they entered the house, Sara was enveloped in a cozy atmosphere. The living room was warm and inviting, with plush furniture and family photos on the walls. Joe's mother ushered them into the kitchen, where a delicious smell wafted from the oven. "I've got some fresh cookies baking. Would you like some, Sara?" Sara's eyes widened at the offer. "That sounds amazing, thank you." Joe's father pulled out a chair for her at the kitchen table. "Sit down, Sara. We'll get you fixed

disdain. "You don't care about her feelings or her well-being. All you care about is your precious contract and your reputation." Sara's father took a step forward, his fists clenched. "How dare you question my love for Sara!" he thundered. But Sara's mother stood her ground. "I'm not questioning your love," she said. "I'm questioning your priorities. You're willing to sacrifice your daughter's happiness for your ambition. That's not love, that's selfishness." The room fell silent, the only sound was the heavy breathing of Sara's father. Sara's mother's words had struck a chord, and he knew it. >>>> Johnson sat in his father's study, a mixture of confusion and curiosity on his face. "Dad, who is Sara, and why are you so keen on us getting married?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. His father, Senator Charles, leaned back in his chair, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Sara is the daughter of a very influential family, Johnson. Her father is a wealthy businessman with connections all over the world. If we can secure an alliance with them, it would be a game-changer for our family's political and business interests" ¹. Johnson's eyes narrowed. "What kind of interests, Dad?" Senator Charles leaned forward, his eyes glinting with ambition. "We're talking about a merger of power, Johnson. With Sara's family on our side, we'll have unparalleled influence in this country. We'll be able to shape policy, secure lucrative contracts, and build a dynasty that will last for generations." Johnson felt a shiver run down his spine. He had always known that his father was a ruthless politician, but he had never realized just how far he was willing to go to achieve his goals. "What's in it for Sara's family, Dad?" Johnson asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Senator Charles's smile grew wider. "Oh, they'll get a piece of the pie, all right. They'll get access to our network, our resources, an