A week had passed since Father's patience finally snapped.
His voice still echoed in my mind sharp, cruel, and filled with disappointment.
Every day he looked at me with disgust, like I was a disappointment he couldn't bear to see anymore. He said I had changed that Natasha was the one poisoning my mind. One night, during dinner, he slammed his glass on the table so hard it broke. "You're no longer my daughter," he shouted. "You've let that cousin of yours ruin you. If you don't come back to your senses, I'll marry her off to one of those ruthless drug barons. Let's see how that soft heart of yours handles that."
Those words hit me like a knife. I froze. Natasha? My only cousin, my only friend? The only person who had stood by me through everything? No. I couldn't let him destroy her life because of me.
He told me he'd give me back my freedom, my company shares, my position everything I had worked for but only if I agreed to do the right thing. "What's the right thing, Father?" I asked, my voice shaking. He gave a small, cruel smile.
"Marry Kelvin."
I felt my world collapse again. He had already taken Roy from me I didn't even know if Roy was dead or alive. Now, he wanted to take away Natasha too. I didn't have a choice anymore. I couldn't lose her. I had already lost too much. So, I nodded and agreed.
That night, I didn't sleep. I sat by the window, staring into the darkness. My heart was numb. The stars above looked like tiny candles, mocking me. I whispered to myself, "Roy, wherever you are, please forgive me."
The next morning, I was awakened by unfamiliar voices.
A group of strangers had filled my room.
"Good morning, ma'am," one said with a polite smile. "I'll be your makeup artist for today."
Another woman beamed with excitement. "Hello, Miss Hayes! I can't believe I'm meeting you in person. I'll be your stylist!"
Their cheerfulness was unbearable. My head was pounding from another sleepless night. I stood up slowly, intending to walk to the bathroom, but the room suddenly spun. The walls seemed to tilt, and I almost collapsed before someone caught me.
"Ma'am, are you alright?" a woman asked nervously.
"I'm fine," I muttered and steadied myself before disappearing into the bathroom.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My face looked pale, drained of life. The woman staring back at me didn't look like Kimberly Hayes she looked like a ghost.
When I returned, they got to work. The makeup artist went with a light touch soft tones, glowing highlights while the hairstylist carefully twisted my hair into a perfect bridal bun.
When they were done, everyone in the room stepped back to admire their work.
"You look breathtaking, Miss Hayes," one said in awe.
I forced a smile. "Thank you."
Inside, I wanted to scream. They didn't know that this "queen" was being sold off like a product. They didn't know the price of this beauty.
Then came the gown a masterpiece of silk and diamonds, elegant and heavy with meaning. My hand trembled as I touched it. That dress reminded me of Roy of the night he told me I looked beautiful in white. Now, even the color mocked me.
As they helped me into the gown, I felt my chest tighten. The fabric hugged me perfectly, yet I could barely breathe. I was trapped inside a dream that wasn't mine.
When I stepped out, gasps filled the hallway. Compliments echoed around me — "She's glowing," "She's like a queen," "She's perfection."
A young man approached and bowed slightly. "I'll be your escort for today, Miss Hayes."
He took my hand gently and led me down the long hallway until my father appeared. He dismissed the escort and took my arm himself.
"You look beautiful," he said proudly, almost like this moment washed away all his anger.
I didn't respond. My lips trembled, but no words came out.
The wedding hall was dazzling white roses everywhere, a gold carpet, chandeliers glimmering above. People turned in awe as I walked down the aisle. Cameras flashed like lightning. But behind every smile, I felt eyes watching me, waiting for me to break.
At the altar, Kelvin stood tall, dressed in a black suit that fit him perfectly. He smiled the kind of smile that said he thought he had won. I felt nothing but disgust.
My father handed me over, and the priest began.
"Kelvin Reid, do you take Kimberly Hayes as your lawful wedded wife?"
"I do," Kelvin replied proudly.
The priest turned to me. "Kimberly Hayes, do you take Kelvin Reid as your lawful wedded husband?"
I hesitated. My throat tightened. I could see my father's cold eyes from the front row, warning me.
"I do," I whispered, barely audible.
The priest smiled. "If there's anyone here who objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Silence.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Kelvin leaned in. I turned my face away slightly, and he kissed my cheek instead. The hall erupted in cheers. Everyone was smiling everyone except me.
After the ceremony came the after-party. I changed into another gown, lighter and easier to move in. My father had gone all out fancy decorations, champagne everywhere, my favorite musician performing live. He really thought this would fix everything.
Tasha was by my side the whole time, whispering little words of comfort. "Stay strong, Kimb. We'll find a way out of this."
We went to the photo room to take pictures with some of my college friends. Everyone was laughing, posing, drinking. I smiled for the camera, pretending to be happy. But deep down, my mind was racing.
This was it my only chance.
When the crowd got louder, I pulled Tasha aside. "I'm leaving tonight," I whispered.
Her eyes widened. "Are you sure? It's too risky."
"I can't stay here anymore, Tasha. I can't live this lie. I can't be his wife."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. I'll help."
We gathered a few trusted friends. They went outside to distract the guards. My heart was pounding so fast I could barely breathe. Tasha held my hand tightly.
"Go. Now."
I slipped out through the side gate, the sound of laughter still echoing behind me. The night was cold, the moonlight dim. For the first time in months, I felt the wind on my skin. I was free.
Or so I thought.
As I ran down the empty road, a black BMW screeched to a stop in front of me. The headlights blinded me. I raised my hand to shield my eyes, trying to see who it was.
Two tall men in black suits and dark shades stepped out of the car. Their faces were blank. Cold.
"Stay away from me!" I shouted, backing away.
They didn't answer. They just kept walking toward me. I turned and tried to run, but they were too fast. One of them grabbed me from behind. I screamed and kicked, but the other pressed a handkerchief over my nose.
A sharp, sweet smell filled my head. My body grew weak. My vision blurred.
The last thing I saw before everything went dark was one of the men saying into a small earpiece
"She's secured, sir."
Then everything went black.