Chapter 1: Arranged Marriage

'What's wrong with grandma… She doesn't have any disease… She's so lively that she even attends her Zumba class… Why was she admitted to a hospital?'

Phyllis was lost in her thoughts as she rushed through the long and busy hallways of the hospital. 

And as soon as she entered the VIP ward she found her family together with her grandma who was lying on the bed. Even her twin brother who was busy studying abroad immediately went home because of her grandmother's 'urgent family meeting'.

“Phyllis? Come sit with grandma,” her grandmother weakly said with a pitiful face. 

She obediently sat beside her grandmother's bed. “Grandma… What's wrong? How come you're in the hospital…”

The old lady just smiled at Phyllis and caressed her soft cheeks. “Grandma is running out of time… I think it's time you fulfill your promise to grandma…”

“What do you mean grandma?! Running out of time? What?” she bewilderedly asked. 

She looked around the room to see her family's reaction but they were all calm about it. And she was the only one who was surprised by her grandmother's condition. 

"You guys know?!"

"I told them to not tell you because I knew you'd be worried, dear," her grandmother weakly reasoned. 

Disheartened, Phyllis looked at her family and grandmother before she took everything all in silently. She was the closest to her grandma. But the fact that she has to know about it this way makes her feel betrayed. Had she known earlier, she would have done everything she could to help her grandma. Not that she doubts her family's capabilities, she's certain that they tried their best to give her the best care. But she wanted to do something for her grandmother herself.

"Alright. Now tell me what it is?" she calmly asked. 

"It's stage 4 breast cancer…" 

And just like that, her whole world crumbled upon hearing that her grandmother suffers from this vicious disease. She stayed silent for a very long time and tried to contain her emotions. She doesn't know whether she should cry or scream. She just hung her head and held onto her grandmother's hands. She knows that if she reacts negatively, it would affect her grandmother's mood. 

Stage 4 breast cancer meant that cancer has spread to other parts of her grandmother's body. She doesn't want to imagine the pain that she's currently going through. Right now, all she can do is cooperate with her grandma and not spoil her mood. 

"Phyllis, your grandmother received treatment at first. However, she decided to stop and relied on herbal treatment… " her mother dispiritedly explained. 

“Grandma, why?!”

“I want to depart in the most natural way… I don't want to carry the chemicals underground. What if your grandpa stays away from me because of radiation?” she jokingly said

She frowned at the stubborn old lady in front of her. “Stop joking! It's not funny grandma!” 

The old lady just laughed after seeing Phyllis try her best to hold back her tears. 

“Now, grandma only has one request for my dearest Phyllis.”

“What is it, grandma?”

“Fulfill the promise you made when you were little. Get married to the man I've chosen.”

Right after her grandmother dropped her bomb of a request, silence filled the room. Not even Phyllis' father was brave enough to speak out. 

They knew Phyllis too well. She is strong-willed. If she wants to do something, no one can stop her. And they know that Phyllis is too busy with her fangirl life. She is not yet ready to settle down. Besides, all of her family members know that she's still young. She definitely wants to enjoy her youth rather than marry someone this early. 

However, this is a request from her dying grandmother…

Phyllis, the bride-to-be, was so startled that she couldn't find any words to express what she felt. She was utterly speechless! 

She was arranged into marriage all of a sudden! 

At this age! 

In this era! 

She breathed in…

She breathed out…

Multiple times…

She tried her best to contain her anger and not break down in front of her sick grandma. Nowadays, everyone marries for love! So why would her grandma arrange a marriage for her?

She closed her eyes tightly, as she digested everything. 

Finally, she found the resolve and courage to directly ask her grandma, “Why?”

“I knew you'd ask me that. But didn't you promise me that you'll be the first to get married in your generation? Your brother is still studying abroad. Your cousin is busy with his directing career. I at least want to see you get married before I go…”

…

When her grandmother fell asleep, the whole family gathered in a restaurant on the ground floor of the hospital. 

Hillary, Phyllis' mother quietly sat beside her husband, Harold Lu While Phyllis' twin brother sat next to her. 

“Hey, bride move over. You're occupying the whole space!” he nonchalantly said. 

Phyllis' nose scrunched as she glared at her brother who was teasing her. They were fraternal twins. They looked somewhat alike in distinct ways. Their lips were both adorably thin and pinkish. However, Phylian's eyebrows were thicker than hers. It made his features look bold and masculine. While she has a delicate arch that makes her look cute and docile. 

“You're older than me by a whole minute, why don't you get married first?!”

Phylian smirked. “Well, I didn't make that stupid promise. It's all on you, sis!”

Phyllis couldn't hold her irritation and directly smacked his thick arms. 

Phylian pretended to be hurt and whined, “Mom, Phyllis is being a freak again!”

The mother just held her forehead and looked away from her chaotic children. They were already adults and yet they are still giving them so many headaches. 

Harold helplessly sighed. Seeing their children argue actually calmed his tensed senses a bit. He was afraid that his daughter would be so hurt that she wouldn't even speak to anyone from her family again. Now, seeing them bicker gave him a sense of relief. 

“Alright, that's enough. We have to eat quickly. Your auntie may be hungry so we have to go back up immediately.”

Phyllis hung her head low and bit her lip. She was trying her best to keep herself from crying earlier. However, now, all her pent-up frustrations are about to burst. 

Her twin sensed her foul mood. He looked at her frowning face before pulling her into a gentle embrace. He could tell that she was seriously torn. Of course, if Phyllis wanted to, she could reject grandma's request. However, she loves her so much that she couldn't refuse. And that's what's making her sad. She couldn't do anything about this whole situation. 

Phyllis felt her heart relax with warmth as she silently cried in her brother's arms. No matter what happens, her brother still understood her the most. 

With all the difficulties that their family is going through, Hillary couldn't help but shed a tear as well. Her mother-in-law is ill and her daughter is being forced to marry. She felt miserable for not being able to do anything to help her daughter. The whole family is now torn. But they would surely go with whatever Phyllis wants. Even at the cost of upsetting the old lady upstairs. 

Harold broke the silence by saying, “We love you, Phyllis. Choose whatever you want. No one's forcing you.”

Upon hearing this, Phyllis emotionally stared at her father. It turns out she still has her family's support. She felt touched by hearing this from his father. 

With his words, she finally made up her mind. She loves her family. Extremely so. And fulfilling her grandmother's small wish would be her honor. 

“Dad, there's nothing to worry about. I'll follow grandma's arrangements.”