Chapter 3

CHAPTER 003

After I spoke, the room went dead silent. I didn’t look away, all eyes were on me. My words fell like a stone in a pond; ripples out, and settled in an awkward, heavy quiet. My chest pounded and I kept my face calm, I stood my ground.

The first to break the silence was Lilith. She laughed a sharp, mocking laugh that I couldn’t stand. She smirked, “Run away?” “And where would you go, Sarah?” “Do you think you’re brave enough for that?”

I forced my voice to stay steady and said evenly, “I don’t think.” “I know. And I mean it.”

Lilith snorted, crossing her arms as if she didn’t believe me. On the other hand, Mom looked furious. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her face had gone red, and she glared at me.

She shook her voice, “You’ve lost your mind.” “This is not a game, Sarah. You don’t just get to make demands,” he said.

I met her gaze and said, “I’m not making demands.” I’m asking for basic respect. You want me to get married? Fine. I won’t do it on your terms alone, but I won’t do it.”

Finally, Dad spoke up, quietly fuming. “Are you in control here?” He spoke low and dangerous, the way a calm before a storm should be. Without this family, you’re nothing. We gave you everything you have. And now you’re acting like you’re calling the shots?”

I said, my throat tight, “I don’t want to act like anything.” “If you don’t let me go to college first, I will leave.” I won’t be a worry to you anymore.”

He narrowed his eyes and for a moment I thought he was going to yell. He leaned back in his chair, his jaw clenched instead.

Finally, he said, his voice icy, “Fine.” 'You'll meet him first,' we'll say. Don’t think for a second that you’re in charge here, Sarah. This is still happening.”

I felt relief for a moment, but it was swept away by something else. Meet him? I nodded, the idea twisting my stomach. “Thank you,” I said quietly.

Mom’s tone clipped, “We’ll arrange a dinner.” I’ll take you shopping tomorrow, and I’ll… I need you to be wearing something suitable…”

Lilith smirked then leaned back in her chair. “Great.” “This is going to be fun.”

I didn’t respond. I turned and left the room, my legs shaking as I climbed the stairs to my bedroom. I shut the door, and then sank down on the bed, burying my face in my hands.

Meeting him. It was the first step towards a future I wasn’t sure I wanted.

True to her word, Mom was the next day. Her mood as sour as ever, she drove me to the mall. On the way she didn’t say much, just glancing at me every now and then as if she was trying to work out what I was thinking.

She walked ahead of me at the mall, her heels striking against the polished floor like a picture frame fell from a shelf. My hands were stuffed into my coat pockets, and I followed silently.

She stopped in front of an expensive boutique, and said abruptly, “This one.”

The racks inside were packed with dresses that seemed straight of red carpets. As Mom pulled out one dress after another, holding them up critically before tossing them at me, she didn’t bother asking my opinion.

She said, gesturing towards the fitting rooms, 'Try these on.'

I stepped into one of the tiny rooms and pulled the curtain shut behind me. Mom waved her hand at the first few dresses, which were either too tight or too loose.

She then handed me a red dress. The fabric was soft, and felt smooth, though it shimmered faintly in the lights. It fit me perfectly when I slipped it on, no skin showing, but hugging my body in all the right places.

My hands fidgeted nervously as I took a step out.

Mom nodded, but her tone was anything but complimentary. “It’ll do.”

Lilith, who had tagged along for shits and giggles, raised an eyebrow. She said with mock surprise, “Wow, Sarah.” “You almost look like someone who could be married.”

I looked at myself in the mirror, ignoring her. The girl staring back at me wasn’t me. She was confident, sophisticated, like someone who might actually belong in the kind of world my parents wanted to shove me into.

The dinner was the next evening and by the time we got to the restaurant my nerves were shot. I barely recognized myself when I caught my reflection in the car window, Mom had insisted on styling my hair and makeup.

It was a fancy restaurant, the kind of place I’d only ever seen in movies. Fast walking waitstaff, much more profession than I’m used to, led us to a private table by a window.

His back was straight, his hands lightly resting on the table, and he was already there. Before anything else, I noticed him, and my breath caught in my throat.

He was... stunning. His dark hair was styled perfectly, his sharp suit as if catered for to him. And it was his eyes that shone to me the brightest—pitcher blue, ice cold, analytical, as if he was calculating the entirety of the space surrounding him.

He was moving smoothly and precisely as we approached, rising to his feet.

Mom smiled in a way I’d never seen before, “Mr. Flint.” “This is my daughter, Sarah.”

He nodded, and his eyes flicked to me for a moment. He said, his voice low and metered: “Sarah.” Farewell was my reply, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I said, though my voice was barely above a whisper, 'You too.'

We sat down and the way the conversation swerved to business. Dad and Mom talked about the family company, how this arrangement would be good for everyone. I tried to listen, but I couldn't help but keep my attention on him.

He didn’t look at me much, he was more focused on my parents. He only glanced my way, briefly, almost dismissively. It hurt, but I told myself it didn’t matter. This wasn’t about love.

But I couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Something about the way he held himself—calm, confident, almost untouchable—something told me I couldn’t be with him. He was the kind of man I’d read about in romance novels, the kind who swept women off their feet with a glance.

There was something else, though, something colder. He was distant, physically here, but mentally miles away.

After the dinner ended, he stood up, shook my hand briefly, and walked away. I watched him leave, my heart full to the brim with strange emotions.

I thought two years would pass slower than that. During that time, I saw him often enough, and each time I saw him, my feelings for him grew. It wasn’t just his looks, though they didn’t hurt, but the quiet moments when he let his guard down, even just a little.

When our wedding day came, I was in love.

The night before the wedding however, things changed.