The chatter around our table seemed endless, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Julian and I were becoming increasingly like third wheels amidst our parents' animated discussions.

Lost in my thoughts, I was jolted back to reality when the chatter abruptly ceased. I glanced up to find my parents wearing nervous smiles, their eyes fixed on me.

"What's going on?" I asked, straightening up in my chair.

"We have something to discuss with you both," Julian's father spoke up, his tone serious.

"What is it, Father?" Julian's undivided attention shifted to his father, prompting me to focus on him as well.

"We've made a decision..."

"To arrange your marriage," he concluded.

Silence descended upon the room, punctuated only by the distant sounds of chatter from other tables.

"We have to what?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"You're to marry Julian, dear," my mother interjected, her hand reaching for mine, which I quickly withdrew.

"Why?" I rose abruptly from my seat, nearly knocking over my chair in the process.

"It's a promise we made when we were young, for our firstborns to marry each other," Julian's father explained.

"Why would you make such a promise? Do you even realize how I feel hearing this?" I tried to keep my voice steady, despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.

"We understand, dear, but you can't refuse. Our company is drowning in debt, and if you marry Julian, we can merge our companies. It's the only way to prevent bankruptcy," my father reasoned, his tone tinged with desperation.

"But is it worth sacrificing my happiness to marry someone I barely know?" The weight of the situation pressed down on me, causing a dull ache to form in my temples.

"You know what? Just... just give me a moment to process this," I said, my voice strained. With that, I pushed back from the table and made my way outside, craving the solace of fresh air.

Under the vast expanse of the evening sky, I found myself whispering a silent plea for forgiveness, grappling with the weight of the decision looming before me.

Footsteps approached from behind, and I turned to find Julian standing there.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

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TBC

Updated on : 18th May 2024