Chapter Seven

In her office, Miriam was trying to focus on work when her phone rang. Emily’s name flashed on the screen. 

“Emi?” 

“Hi my love, how are you holding up?”

Miriam leaned back in her chair, rubbing her tired eyes. “I’m managing, what more can I say?

“Listen, I spent half the night digging into Damien Rhodes online.”

Miriam sat up. “And what did you find?”

“That’s the thing. Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing,” Emily repeated. “ No social media presence. No ex-girlfriends posting about him. No bad reviews, no scandals, no stories. It’s like he doesn't exist online. Which is weird, right? Everyone exists online these days.”

There was a long pause. Miriam stared at the stack of files on her desk, not really seeing them.

“I accepted it,” she said quietly.

“Accepted what?”

“The marriage. I told them yes.”

Silence. Then Emily’s breath was slow and careful.

“Miriam.”

“I know.”

“Are you sure about this? Like really sure?”

Miriam closed her eyes. She wanted to say no.

“I’m sure enough.”

Emily went quiet. Miriam let the silence sit for a moment, then exhaled.

“Maybe it’s better this way. At least with him I’m not depending on people who were supposed to protect me and didn’t. I’m tired of waiting for my family to show up for me, Emi.”

Emily didn’t argue. After a long pause, her voice came back quieter.

“Just… be careful. Please.”

“I will.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Emi.”

She hung up and sat in silence for a long moment before turning back to her screen.

……

Lucas was in the middle of a call when his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen and saw his father’s name.

He finished the call first before opening the message.

Tell Damien the marriage is on. It’s confirmed.

Lucas read it twice.

His grip loosened, and the phone dropped on the table with a clack.

For a second, he just stared at it.

Then he picked it up again.

He headed straight for Miriam’s office.

Miriam was about to step out for lunch when a knock sounded at the door.

She looked up just as Damien walked in, guilt written all over his face.

“Hi, Miriam.”

Her expression hardened immediately.

“Did you say yes to the marriage?”

“Yes.”

Damien frowned. “Why would you do that? You barely know this guy.”

Miriam let out a bitter laugh.

“What choice do I have when the only sibling I have can’t even protect me from him?”

“It’s not in my power, Miriam. You know that.”

“I tried my best to—”

“Did you?” she asked quietly.

The question hit harder than anger ever could.

“I have better things to do today, Lucas. I really don’t want to have this conversation anymore.”

Before he could say another word, she walked past him and left.

……

The evening felt wrong from the moment Lucas walked through the door.

Miriam had locked herself in her room. Lucas had seen the light under her door when he passed by, but she didn’t respond when he knocked softly. Not that he blamed her. What could he possibly say?

Dinner was uncomfortable as hell. Thomas sat at the head of the table, pushing food around his plate without actually eating much. Lucas did the same, his stomach still churning with guilt.

Only Margaret seemed unbothered. She was practically glowing.

“I spoke with the wedding planner today,” Margaret said, cutting into her chicken delicately. “I’ve found the perfect venue. The Riverside Estate. Very exclusive, very elegant. 

Of course she’s excited, Miriam thought bitterly. Dad must have already briefed his perfect wife. She can’t wait for me to leave this house.

“Of course you have, Margaret,” Miriam said with a fake smile. “You really can’t wait for me to leave this house, can you?”

Margaret gave a soft laugh. “Oh, darling. You have no idea.”

She took another sip of wine before continuing.

“And I’ve already scheduled a fitting for you at the bridal boutique downtown. Vera Wang has some beautiful pieces.”

Miriam stared at her.

“You picked my wedding dress?”

“Well, someone had to start making decisions. We don’t have time to waste.” Margaret’s smile was sharp. “You’ll love it. It’s exactly your style.”

You don’t know my style, Miriam thought. You’ve never known anything about me.

“I’m sure it’s lovely,” Miriam said, her voice empty.

“It is.” Margaret was practically glowing. “And the venue is spectacular. Garden ceremony, reception in the ballroom. Very upscale. The Rhodes family will be impressed.”

Thomas shifted uncomfortably. “Miriam, I know this is a lot to take in…”

“Oh, it’s fine,” Miriam interrupted softly. “Nothing in this house is too much to take in anymore.”

Silence settled over the table.

After a moment, Miriam looked at Thomas.

“When is the wedding?”

“This weekend, darling,” Margaret replied sharply.

Miriam let out a quiet laugh.

Her wedding was being planned around her like she wasn’t even a person.

“Alright. Goodnight, everyone.”

She pushed back her chair and headed upstairs before anyone could stop her.

She climbed the stairs slowly, each step heavier than the last. Back in her room, she closed the door and leaned against it.

Margaret had picked her dress. Her father had set the date. Everything was decided without her.

She was just a piece being moved around a board, and no one had bothered to ask if she wanted to play.

She picked up her phone immediately and texted Emily.

The wedding is this weekend.

Emily’s reply came almost immediately.

You’re joking.

Miriam stared at the screen for a second before typing again.

Margaret already picked my wedding dress too.

Think she’ll let you pick your own dress?

The sarcasm in Emily’s message made Miriam laugh softly.

Bitter, but real.

Then reality settled in again.

She was getting married this weekend.