Twilight belongs to SM.

Beta'd by my awesome beta TheSparksSoApparent.

EPOV

This was my worst birthday yet. Even worse than my fourteenth birthday when I was having a sleepover with my friends and the eternal pain in my ass, A.K.A. Swan, thought it would be funny to make it look like I wet my bed. Everyone thought I was still a bed wetter and made fun of me for the entire year. Needless to say, it was a horrible year.

Currently, Esme was sitting on the couch crying and I was having a glaring competition with Carlisle. He was glaring at me because I made Esme cry and I was glaring at him because it was really his fault.

I mean if he hadn't arranged my marriage with that bitch, I wouldn't have shouted at Esme, so it was technically his fault, right?

Marrying that bitch was my birthday present from my wonderful parents. I tried to control my anger, I swear I did, but when Esme started talking about how she and Renee thought the Ice Queen and I were in love with each other, I lost it. I had angrilyshouted, "I have a girlfriend for god sake! Why the fuck did you
both jump to conclusions and not even think of talking to me, your own son, about one of the biggest decisions of my life?" and of course mom started immediately crying.

Dad started yelling at me right after. "Edward, is that the way to talk to your own mother? Apologize now. It's not her fault. This decision was made Charlie and me a long time ago. You were both toddlers and we thought it was in the best interest of the company. What's so bad about marrying Bella anyway? She's
such a nice girl and is dedicated to the company, unlike your bimbo girlfriend. Bella would actually be a great help to you in
managing the company. Together, you both would take the Swan Cullen Company to great heights. I'm positive."

I stared, dumbfounded. "You . . . you made this decision when I was a kid? I can't believe that. Seriously dad, don't you think my happiness should be in your priority list rather than our company? I hate her and she hates me, don't you get that? 'Nice girl' my ass! I don't think I could find a more arrogant girl on the entire planet. I'm not going to marry her, no matter what." I was gritting my teeth, each word coming out emphasized.

Dad sighed, taking a drink of his Scotch. "Well son, I didn't think it would come to this, but you've left me no other choice. You will not become a CEO unless and until you marry Bella." He said it very calmly, knowing very well that he had left me with no choice other to marry the bitch.

I didn't think I'd ever felt this angry in my entire life. "How canyou do this to me? Can't you think of anyone's best interest other than the company's?" I let out a frustrated groan and crashed a vase to the floor.

Esme flinched. "Please, Edward sweetie, don't say stuff like that about your father. We both kn-"

I cut her off, breathing and talking loudly. "Why shouldn't I? You've left me no choice other than to say stuff like that!"

A fresh round of tears filled Esme's eyes.

Carlisle sighed heavily and started talking quietly. "I am sorry Edward. I guess you're right; we shouldn't have made such a big decision regarding your life without your consent. Forgive me son, but please understand that you and your happiness is my first priority. I work so hard just because I want to provide you and Esme with every comfort."

I took a deep breath, regretting saying those harsh things to them. "I know dad, and I'm sorry for talking to both of you like that. Forgive me, but please try to understand how I feel. I don't want to marry her but I want my position as the CEO of the company."

Esme wrapped an arm around my rigid frame. "I think I understand you, Edward. You can't possibly marry someone you don't love. It's not your fault that Renee and I made such wild assumptions. Forgive me too, sweetie." She squeezed my shoulder.

"Its okay, mom."

"Carlisle, can't we do something about the contract?" She looked worried, as did my dad.

"I would have to talk to Charlie about it." Carlisle took out his cell phone, only to have it start ringing instead. "Its Charlie."

XXX

BPOV

It had been fifteen minutes since Renee went out of the room to talk to Charlie.

All I could think about was being forced to marry Edward. The word 'marry' made me want to gag. I mean, I didn't even want a relationship with someone I liked right now, let alone getting married to someone.

I don't think there is a single person on this whole fucking earth, who I hate more than Edward. Thinking back, I can't think of a time when I didn't hate him. It's always been like this. I don't even remember the reason that caused me to hate him so much, but looking at him now, I sure as hell know it's because of his
arrogant attitude.

We've always been rivals in school and still are. The only change is now we compete with each other at college, since we have the same courses and majors. When high school ended for me I was happy about many things, but mostly that I wouldn't have to see Edward's stupid face every single day. But imagine my surprise when I found out that he chose to go the same college as me.

I sighed. I had to think positively. My parents would work this whole mess out once I'd brought them to their senses and it would be fine.

I decided to call my best friend, Rose. We'd been friends since high school and she always knew what to say to make me feel
better.

She answered on the first ring. "Hello Miss Bella! I am so excited about our sleepover. It's been too long since we last saw each other!"

"Hey Rose!" I tried to sound as upbeat as her, but failed miserably.

"What happened, Bella? You sound upset." I could hear her frown through the phone.

"Well because Charlie just told me that many years ago, he and Carlisle signed a contract stating that I have to marry Edward in order to take my position as the CEO of the company."

She gasped. "What the fuck? How can Charlie fix your marriage to Edward without asking you? That's ridiculous. So what are you going to do now? I know you spoke your mind to Charlie though, right? If you want I'll come over and help convince Charlie that this cannot be done."

"I don't think that's necessary because when I told Renee about my situation with Edward, she decided to help me. So now she's trying to convince Charlie to cancel the contract."

I was about to continue when I heard my mom call me. "Bella, come out, your father and I want to talk to you."

"Oh, Rose, my mom just called me! I gotta go!"

"Okay, good luck! Call me later!"

I shut my phone. "Coming, mom!"

When I entered the living room I saw dad standing there, looking anywhere but at me.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked to you like that." I didn't looked at him, although I know I had every right to have an outburst but still, he was my dad and I needed to be respectful.

"Its okay, Bells. It's not your fault. I kind of expected that and well . . . I'm sorry for asking you to marry Edward. I now realize that the contract was a mistake." He hugged me, gripping me tightly.

"Its okay dad, I understand your passion about the company."

My mom patted us both on our backs. "Honey, I think you should tell Carlisle and Esme about this."

"You're right, Renee, I'll tell them tomorrow about it."

"No dad, you should tell him today. They have a party tomorrow, so they'll be busy."

"But..."

"I know, dad you don't have the heart to tell them the truth. But we all have to face reality at some point." I gave him one last squeeze and stepped back.

"Fine, I'll call him," Charlie sulked. He picked up his phone and dialed Carlisle's number.

"Hello Carlisle . . . um I called to ask you about . . . Have you told Edward about the wedding? Oh! What was his reaction? How did Bella react? I asked you first so you have to answer first. No, I asked first, so answer me . . ."

Seriously? What, are they six? I looked at Renee but she was just mouthing at Charlie not to tell first. Good Lord.

"Surprised . . . well that much is obvious. Good surprised or bad surprised? No, just saying he was surprised doesn't answer my question. Fine, Bella was surprised too. Now tell me if he was good surprised or bad surprised!"

Oh come on! Not again. Before Charlie could do more of his childish talk, I snatched the phone out of his hand. He tried to grab it back from me but I avoided him and ran away from looked really angry.

"Hi, Carlisle! Bella here."

"Hey, Bella!" Carlisle greeted in his fatherly tone.

Then there was a loud noise and suddenly Edward was on the phone .

"Hello, Ice Queen."

"Um, I think I was talking to Carlisle and not you, prick."

He scoffed. "Like I'm interested in talking to you. I just wanted to tell you that I am not going to marry you."

"And what do you think? That I'm delighted and felling like the happiest girl in the world because I'm supposed to marry you? Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth! Did you get that, jackass?!"

With that I ended the call and when I looked up I was not surprised to see the shocked expressions of my parents. I know I shouldn't have said those words in front of my parents but I just wanted to make it clear to them how much I hated Edward.

"Good news, everybody! Edward isn't happy either with the idea of us getting married. So dad, you're gonna have to call your lawyer and cancel this contract. Oh and mom don't make my dinner tonight, I'm going out with Rose and then staying over at her house." And with that, I left.

I smiled victoriously as I shut the door, catching their shocked faces one last time.

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