Novel-novel oleh oyindajanet31

ARIA'S POVIt was finally time to say goodbye. Goodbye to my parents. Goodbye to the people I once called home.I hugged my mum and held on longer than I should have, her familiar perfume hovering around me. I was going to miss that smell. When I finally let go, her smile was too bright, the most obvious fake smile I’d seen all day. The guests were better at hiding theirs. I could see she was breaking inside.My dad didn’t hug me. He held my hands instead and whispered, “Be strong.” I nodded and forced a smile of my own. Then he let go.The car was already waiting.“Goodbye,” I said to both of them before turning away. Why that word? It felt too heavy, like I was saying see you never. I wanted to run back and hug them again, but my feet kept moving forward, maybe so they wouldn’t see the tears building in my eyes.The valet shut the car door behind me with a heavy thud. The chauffeur glanced at me in the rearview mirror and gave a slight nod, saying nothing. I was glad. I didn’t think

DOMINIC'S POVShe walked down the aisle, slow and steady, hand in hand with her dad. At least she has one.When she reached me, he let go, and finally I looked at her gown. I shouldn't have. It reminded me of another wedding. Another bride. A memory I didn’t ask for.I quickly shoved it back down. This wasn't the past. This was business. A transaction between two families. That’s all weddings ever were to me now; contracts dressed up in white lace.She was trembling too much. If she didn’t stop, everyone would notice.I leaned closer, my voice low only for her to hear.“Stand still. Everyone’s watching.”And she did. Good. She listened. Maybe this would be easier than I thought.The priest’s words rolled over me. I’d heard them before, too many times. Same vows, same blessings, same tone like he was reading from a script older than both of us. I could almost mouth along with him, like an actor in a play I was tired of performing.I repeated after him, and when he asked the question I

ARIA'S POVI thought maybe when I woke up, this would all turn out to be a dream. A nightmare. But no, here I was. Friday was gone before I even noticed. Like it didn't care. And before I could even blink, it was Saturday.My wedding day. Funny. It's my wedding day, and I haven't even seen the man I'm supposed to marry. What a perfect wedding. I didn't bother stopping the scoff that slipped out.The house was loud. Really, really loud. I didn't even know I had so many relatives, they all came crawling out of nowhere, filling the kitchen with whatever they thought was funny, laughing like this was Christmas. And none of them could help with the debt. I rolled my eyes. The door creaked open, and my mum walked in, smiling like this was the best day of her life. I haven't seen her smile like this in months. She was holding my gown. The gown I never tried on. They just asked me for my measurements, and it was delivered to me in a box, like some delivery. I stared at it, hoping it woul

ARIA'S POVI slowly opened my eyes, and morning light poured in through the curtains. Everywhere was bright.Good. It’s morning again. The whole world moved on like nothing happened, like I didn’t cry myself to sleep.The memories of last night flooded in before I could even stop them. My parents begging me. The news I watched. My father’s words. My pleas on the cold floor. The date had been set.I stared at the ceiling for a long time, the only thing that stayed still when everything else had shifted. My body felt drained, like I had exhausted all my energy last night.Just as I was about to gather my thoughts on how I got to bed last night, a soft knock came at my door. I couldn’t move my mouth to answer. Slowly, the handle turned. I didn’t know who I was expecting, but nerves gathered in my chest. Finally, the door opened, and my mum stood there.Relief washed over me. Strange relief. I sat up, waiting for her to come in. She lingered in the doorway, unsure whether to step forwar

ARIA'S POVThe words resounded in my ears again."You'd have to marry Dominic, there's no other way we can settle our debts.And I couldn't reply. I had no words to change my fate. I was silent. I thought when they would officially tell me, I would scream, argue, tell them No, tell them over my dead body, but here I was silent as a dead mouse.What can I do? My mum is begging me in tears to just endure. “Aria.” My mum called my name, her hands stretching to hold mine, I should move to get closer to her but I just remained still. “ I'm sorry. We're sorry. But there's nothing else we can do.” She squeezed my hand when she finally got hold of it, her other hand wiping the tears that were streaming down her cheeks.“Aria, his uncle said he'll protect you”. My dad standing in the corner finally spoke, “He said he's going to make sure nothing happens to you, he's like a brother to me, he won't let any harm come your way.” He said moving closer.“The debts…” he continued, now really close t