Chapter 6 : Everything Will Be Fine

Chapter 6: Everything Will Be Fine

“We wish you the best.” An elderly couple congratulated me as I thanked them.

I felt utterly hollow, a shell of the person I once was even as the white rose petals were thrown gently all around us, my thoughts drifting to death. This marriage was my death sentence. 

The wedding reception didn't heal my hollow soul, instead the emptiness grew stronger. Though, the ballroom was very breathtaking, a sea of bright lights and gorgeous decorations that seemed to mock my heart and soul. The air was thick with the scent of roses while laughter and joyful chatter filled across the room. My wedding reception, meant to be a day of joy, felt like a nightmare from which I couldn't escape. I moved through the crowd, my face a practical mask of polite smile and empty nods. Everywhere I turned, I saw happy faces of the family members from the Moretti or Bennett family congratulating me, celebrating a union that felt more like a curse than a blessing. I felt their eyes on me, their whispers grazing my ears like a thousand tiny needles.

‘There is the bride, oh, she looks stunning.’

‘She has such a good husband, people are so jealous of them.’

‘Such a beautiful couple, they will be so happy together.’

Happiness? That word was a cruel word. How could I be happy, standing here in this prison and bound to Justin, my sister's ex-lover? Justin was across the room, surrounded by a group of friends and family, his smile practiced but empty mirroring my own. After all, Helena broke up with him and he had to marry me. I suddenly spotted my youngest sister, Harper. Her mocha brown eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on mine. She excused herself from the group of teenage girls she was chatting with and made her way over to me.

“Ari?” She called, her voice low and concerned.

“Are you okay? You look pale.” She asked. I forced a smile onto my face, trying to hide the despair that threatened to consume me.

“I am fine,” I lied.

“Just a little overwhelmed.” I added. Her eyes narrowed but she didn't push it.

“Well, let's go get some fresh air.” She said, taking my hand and pulling me away from the room.

We stepped out onto the balcony, the summer night air hitting me like a slap in the face. It was almost a relief.

“Oh, Ari.” She said, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug because even for her young age, she could read a situation very well. She knew that this marriage was forced and a fraud.

“I am so sorry this had to happen to you.” 

“It is not your fault.” I whispered. She pulled back, her eyes flashing with frustration.

“But why? Why did they have to make you do this? Why didn't Helena marry him?” 

“Because she wanted to be happy, she was suffering.” I scoffed.

“And I was forced to take her place by our parents.”  Her grip on my arms tightened.

“Why is Helena always like that? Why can't she and father go off to live somewhere on the other side of the world and leave us alone. Now, you were forced to marry Justin.” 

I looked at her, feeling a surge of gratitude towards my little sister. She was always so understanding, so empathetic. She got me in a way that no one else did. 

“He doesn't deserve you.” She spat out her thoughts.

“That is the opposite of what everyone keeps saying, they are saying that I would find no better man than him.” I said dryly. 

But she just shook her head.

“He doesn't deserve you, you deserve someone who loves you, someone you could spend the rest of your life with. Not someone who has been together with your half-sister.”

I felt a lump forming in my throat as I looked at my youngest sister, a feeling of peace washing over me for the first time all day. I am happy that she can choose her own path, to live her own life the way she wants because she has a heart of gold.

“Maybe everything will work out, maybe there will be someone who will love you despite the circumstances.” She muttered.

“Maybe,” I said slowly as I denied myself the tiny ounce of hope. 

She smiled back at me, her eyes shining with tears.

“Of course, I am.” 

We stood there for a while until she returned to the ballroom, to her friends. I stayed on the balcony, not ready to return to the reality that awaits me inside. But I couldn't escape reality.

“Arianna?” A voice called, interrupting my peace. 

I turned to see my mother approaching, her face beaming with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

“Yes, mother?” I said, my voice hollow.

“You have been so quiet all evening, are you feeling alright?” Her corner was a facade, she was never worried about me.

“I am fine, just overwhelmed.” I replied, forcing a smile that felt like a grimace. She nodded, patting my arm.

“It is a big day, sweetheart. Everything will be fine, you will see.”

Would it? I wondered. Would anything ever be fine again?  I watched as she walked back into the ballroom, her steps light and carefree, leaving me to my solitude once more. I turned back, watching the moonlight and the stars in the sky, the darkness outside was comforting. My thoughts drifted to Helena, the source of my misery as she was nowhere in sight because she had left after the wedding ceremony. I was told by my younger brother that she was throwing a party with her friends. She was celebrating her revenge. 

Lost in thought, I didn't notice Justin who stood beside me. We stood in silence for a moment on the balcony and it seemed that nobody could leave me alone for a moment. First, my mother and now Justin. Can everyone leave me alone? 

“I am sorry,” he said quickly.

“For what?” I asked.

What was he sorry for? We were never together, so he never owed me anything.

“For everything, for this.” He gestured behind us, towards the open balcony door where the sound of music welled. A romantic melody that felt like a cruel taunt began to play.

Though, I love the song but I felt the urge to scream because this marriage was not a romantic song with a happy ending. I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulder, wearing my mask once more. This night was far from over and there were still roles to play and expectations to meet.

“Justin, let's just get through this night.” I told him as I headed back inside the ballroom and he followed behind me out of duty.

As the evening wore on, I danced, I smiled and parented. During the night, Justin’s hand found mine as we took to the dance floor, our movement graceful but robotic. Two actors in a play that neither of us had chosen. For a moment, our eyes met and I hated that I was not the woman he loved.