Chapter 3 Beneath the Bridal Veil

I sat nervously in the dimly lit living room, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my skirt as I waited for my stepfather, Richard, to arrive. The air was heavy with tension, like a storm about to break. This was the moment I had been dreading, the moment I had to confront Richard about the marriage.

Richard entered the room, his expression stern and stubborn. "I've heard enough of your nonsense," he spoke in a cold, broken voice. "It's time to put an end to this foolishness."

I took a deep breath, trying to muster the courage to tell the truth. “Please, just listen to me. I don’t want to get married. I will serve you and clean the house and prepare food, but please don’t make me get married.”

Richard's face flushed with anger and his voice rose to a booming level. “How dare you defy my wishes? You will be married, and that is final.”

Tears gathered in my eyes, but I refused to back down. "Please, I don't want to get married!"

Richard's gaze turned icy as he approached me. "You will marry him, Amelia, and you will do so willingly. If you continue to defy us, remember your mother who needs money for treatment and what might happen to her."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. My heart ached because of the warning. Richard's face remained fixed, his tone unwavering. "Don't provoke me any more, Amelia."

My voice was shaking, but I spoke with a determination born of desperation. "I will not be forced into a marriage I don't want. If that means I have to leave this house, so be it."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched him, hoping to see a glimmer of understanding or compassion in his eyes. But all I saw was cold, unyielding determination. His voice became eerily quiet. "Very well, Amelia. If that is your decision, you will leave me no choice, and bid your mother farewell now and forever."

When I realized what he was referring to, I felt a deep, piercing pain in my chest. I almost lost my mother, all because I refused to conform to his expectations. I couldn't find any way to make him stand with me. I cried angrily and said with tears: “I agree to the marriage.”

Richard approached me and put his hand around my waist. "And what would any man do with your heart? He wants your body, this body that sets me on fire."

He moved closer to me until he removed the shirt I was wearing to reveal my bra. He traced his fingers, but I escaped from his hands and left the room crying and moaning. I don't know how he does this to me every time. I buttoned my shirt and breathed heavily as I contemplated whether I would accept the marriage proposal.

I went to my mother Taylor's room, crying. I knelt beside the bed and said in pain: “He threatens me if I don’t get married, he will kill you or let you die without treatment. I hate all men, mother, and I don’t want to get married. I just want to be with you forever.”

My mother was listening to me with tears falling and did not know how to help me. She continued: “I wish I could run away from all of this.”

At these words, my mother blinked hard. I did not understand her, but she asked in amazement: “Do you want me to run away, mother?”

My mother blinked again, and I knew this was what she wanted. I thought about how I would leave my mother, but then an idea came to me: I would take my mother and run away. I kissed her forehead and quickly went to the café after sending a message to Sarah.

I arrived at the café where my friend Sarah was and told her I was coming. Sarah and I sat in the quiet corner of our favorite café, the place where we'd shared countless secrets and dreams over the years. Today, Sarah looked more anxious than ever, her hands shaking as she held her coffee cup.

Sarah approached, with a worried look. "Amelia, what's going on? You can talk to me."

I took a deep breath, and my gaze wandered around the cozy café as if searching for answers in the steam rising from my coffee. "Sarah, you know about the wedding, right? The wedding that Richard forced me to be his bride."

Sarah nodded, her brows furrowed. "Yes, it's become the talk of the town. But I thought... I thought you'd agree to it to keep the peace and your mother's life and maybe to escape Richard's constant harassment."

My eyes filled with tears and I shook my head. "I can't, Sarah. I can't. I can't marry a man. I hate all men."

Sarah placed her reassuring hand on my trembling hand. "Amelia, you have to do what's right for you. It's your life, and your happiness is at stake here."

I swallowed hard, my voice trembling. "That's why I've decided, Sarah. I can't go on with this. I've made up my mind to run away from the wedding."

Sarah's eyes widened in shock, "Run? Amelia, this is a big step. Do you realize what you're saying?"

I nodded, determination in my eyes. "Yes, I do. I've thought about it. I can't live a life that's not my own, and I won't fall into the trap of marriage."

Sarah sighed, her worry evident. "Okay, I understand why you want to do this, but it won't be easy. Running away is risky, and it could mean losing your mother forever."

My voice trembled as I answered, “I know, Sarah. But I can’t let Richard define my life. I need to find my own way, even if it means running away. On the wedding day, I will take my mother out of the house and put her in a hospital that will take care of her, after I steal a sum of money.” Enough of Richard's money."

Sarah took a moment to comprehend my resolve. "If this is what you really want, I will support you, Amelia. But promise me you'll be careful, and promise me you'll tell me you're safe."

Tears gathered in my eyes, then I held my friend's hand. "Thank you, Sarah. Your support means the world to me."

I made my plan to escape.

*****

( Wedding day..)

The wedding day dawned, and the sun's rays filtered through the heavy curtains of my luxurious bridal room. Max Holden had booked a luxurious venue for the wedding, and the room was decorated with gilded mirrors and delicate lace curtains that swayed gently in the morning breeze. But no amount of extravagance can mask the storm brewing inside me.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror in a gown that could rival a royal gown, wearing a white lace gown. The ivory fabric seemed to whisper promises of a life of wealth and privilege, but it was a life I never wanted.

Richard entered the room and looked at me in admiration at how I looked like a queen. Richard spoke up: “I can't bear the thought of this body being another man's, how can I leave you, you little bitch?”

Meanwhile, I agreed with Sarah and her friend Jonathan that they would enter the house and take my mother to the hospital. She sent them the money she stole from Richard for the hospital costs, and the hospital will be far away and a place no one knows about.

I knew what awaited me at the end of the corridor—a man I barely knew, whose reputation was as mysterious as the darkest corners of the city. I knew that all men were dirty and only interested in sex.

Richard left and told me to come after him. I knew what to do, I would definitely run away! As I descended the grand, flower-decorated staircase, I heard someone whisper, "They say Max Holden's fortune is built on the bones of his enemies. And the way he rose to power? It's as if he made a deal with the devil himself."

My heart raced as the evil rumors reached my ears. Max Holden, my groom, was a mysterious man, his fortune shrouded in tales of dark dealings and ruthless ambition. My footsteps echoed in my ears like a death knell, urging me to press forward in my mad dash toward freedom. I felt like I was walking into a cage, not an embrace.

The organ music swelled, and a bolt of clarity struck me like lightning. No, I couldn't do this. I couldn't marry a man whose name carried whispers of darkness and deceit. I wasn't able to attach myself to a future that felt more like a prison than a partnership.

I turned on my heel, my loose dress flowing behind me like a rebellious spirit. Shouts and gasps erupted from the assembled guests, shock written on their faces as they watched the bride, a symbol of commitment and unity, being cut off.

I quickly ran towards the imposing wooden doors of the wedding venue, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. The sound of my heartbeat echoed in my ears like war drums, urging me to press forward in my mad dash toward freedom. I pushed open the doors and rushed outside, into the light and the life I deserved.

When I reached the waiting car, Jonathan had already started the engine. Sarah was sitting in the back seat, with an expression of worry and relief on her face. I shouted: “Get up quickly, we have to move now!”

I jumped into the front seat, and Jonathan quickly closed the door. We drive away from the luxurious wedding venue, feeling like I'm leaving behind a world of lies and deceit.

I sat for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. I had done it, I had escaped. I looked at Sarah and said, “Did you take my mother to the hospital?”

Sarah nodded. “Yes, she is in a safe place now. She will receive the care she needs. We will take care of everything else.”

I felt so relieved, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew I wouldn't go back to the life that was imposed on me. I was free, finally free.