I Could Be A Million Things ( Pt. 3)

But then disaster struck. The economy crashed. People lost their jobs, companies went bankrupt, and although they were tucked away in their little town, they were hugely affected. Her father lost everything and had to declare bankruptcy. His father managed to salvage what was left of his business, but the stress and hard work took its toll on him and he fell ill. The Depression had changed them all. No more long, lazy afternoons spent doing nothing, no more visiting each other when their parents came around for tea. But their love for each other never changed, never faded and they were in a sense happy despite all that was happening.
Things only went downhill from there. Her father, having fallen on such hard times, promised her to a young man from another town. Her suitor had managed to hold on to his wealth throughout the Depression and her father thought it would save them from poverty if she were married to him. She refused. Again and again, she refused. She begged, she pleaded, she cried and she raged and she screamed until her throat was sore. But the decision was final. Either marry him or lose your family.