Chapter 18

Alana’s POV. "I don't understand, what do you mean?" I asked, my frown still deeply etched on my face. The story I had grown up with involved childhood friends turning into lovers, and it had been painted as one of the sweetest love stories. I even remembered seeing countless articles about my parents' relationship from back in the day and how people had been obsessed with their marriage. "Your father and I had an arranged marriage," Mom stated plainly, setting down her coffee and scooting closer to me. My eyes widened in disbelief. The revelation was completely at odds with the fairy tale image of my parents' love story that I had held onto for years. "My parents knew his father, and, well, your dad was quite the rebel when he was younger. That's why your grandpa sent him off to that fancy boarding school," Mom continued, dropping bombshell after bombshell. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that my dad, the person I had always known as responsible and disciplined, had been a