Characters overview
Lisa: David's daughter ( protagonist)
Sweet innocent girl in her father's eyes but want to join forces like his father.
David: Lisa's father (want to protect his one and only girl from all the hardships)
Jacob: Lisa's fiance ( sweet innocent and caring idol type husband material).
Chapter 1
(Lisa's POV)
"Lisaa! Wake up! It's already 10 AM!"
His voice pierced through my sleep, sharp and jarring, dragging my soul out of slumber. I groaned, still half-asleep, but deep down I knew—I loved him. I couldn't imagine a life without him.
I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. As I splashed cold water on my face and looked in the mirror, a wave of thoughts flooded my mind.
"Is being pretty... a curse?"
"How come I've never had a boyfriend with this face?"
Then it hit me—this wasn't the face of a sweet, innocent girl, the kind a doting father believes is the purest in the universe. No. This was the face of a girl who wanted to be strong. Strong like her father.
I was lost in a daydream about joining the armed forces when his voice cut through again, snapping me back to reality.
"Lisaa! Come on, Jacob will be here any second now!"
"Coming, Dad!"
I quickly dried my face and rushed out of the bathroom.
"Dad, why do you keep inviting him over every weekend?" I asked, a hint of irritation creeping into my voice. "Weekends are supposed to be our time together."
"You know I have to go on a mission for two months," he said gently. "He's the only one you'll have while I'm gone. I just want you two to get along so he can take care of you."
"Can't you take me with you?" I asked, hope flickering in my eyes.
"No, sweetheart. I can't. This isn't a vacation—I'm going to complete the mission. And with the money I earn, I'll make sure your dream wedding comes true. That beautiful destination, the dress you've always wanted—it'll all be yours."
His voice was full of hope, and I stared at him, realizing no one would ever love me the way he did.
"Dad… why do you have to go?" I whispered. "I don't want a wedding. I don't care about the destination or the dress. I just want you. Please… don't go."
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I spoke. But he just turned back to the kitchen, continuing to make breakfast.
"Come on now," he said gently. "Set the table. Jacob will be here soon."
I wiped my tears and started setting the table. Anger and helplessness twisted in my chest. I wanted to scream. I had asked Jacob countless times to call off our engagement, but he always refused. He was a nice guy—but I never wanted a guy. I wanted freedom, a purpose. I wanted to join the military, like my father. But that dream was slipping further away every day.
"Hi, Dad. Hi, Lisa."
His voice made my blood boil. The moment he called my father "Dad," I wanted to scream. How dare he? He wasn't his son. My father was mine—and only mine.
I ignored him, holding in my frustration so I wouldn't upset my father. In his eyes, I was still the sweet, obedient daughter.
Jacob pulled out a chair and sat beside me. I focused on my plate, tuning out their conversation, until suddenly my dad turned to me.
"Lisa, we've decided. Once I get back, we'll have your wedding. Do you have a problem with that?"
The spoon fell from my hand.
"Wedding? What are you talking about, Dad?" I asked, my voice trembling, the words catching in my throat.
My heart felt like it had stopped. I had been waiting—planning to end the engagement after Dad's mission. But now… they were planning the wedding behind my back.
I felt numb.
I'm not as strong as I thought I was, I realized. I'm too weak… I can't even breathe.
I stood up, but my body felt like it was collapsing from the inside out.
The room began to spin.
And then, darkness. I couldn't see my dad, couldn't see Jacob. Their voices echoed, calling my name—but my eyes closed, and I collapsed, leaving them screaming behind me.