The Calm Before Another Storm

Cynthia woke up to the faint hum of the housekeeper’s vacuum echoing down the hallway. The sunlight spilled gently across her room, too bright for how heavy she felt inside. Her head ached from crying; her eyes were puffy.

She sat up slowly, trying to shake off the dull ache behind her eyes. Maybe last night had just been a nightmare. But when she went downstairs, her mother was already at the dining table, sipping coffee and reading through a glossy magazine.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mrs. Hale said without looking up.

Cynthia mumbled a quiet greeting, reaching for a slice of toast.

“Make sure you come back home early after school today,” her mother said casually, turning a page.

Cynthia froze mid-bite. “Why?”

Her mother smiled faintly. “The Sanchese family will be joining us for dinner tonight. They’d like to meet their future daughter-in-law.”

The toast slipped from Cynthia’s fingers, landing softly on her plate. Her heart thudded in her chest. “Excuse me?”

Her mother finally looked up, expression perfectly calm. “It’s important you’re there, Cynthia. Xavier and his parents will arrive by seven. You should look your best.”

Cynthia’s throat felt dry. “I haven’t even agreed to any of this.”

“You don’t have to,” her mother replied, her tone soft but final. “It’s already settled. Now hurry, you’ll be late for school.”

Cynthia stood there for a second, trying to breathe through the sting of tears. She grabbed her bag and turned toward the door without another word.

As she stepped outside, Louisa’s car horn honked. Cynthia forced a faint smile and walked faster, the morning breeze doing little to calm the storm building inside her.

---

“Girl, you look like you didn’t sleep a wink,” Louisa said the moment Cynthia slid into the passenger seat.

“I didn’t,” Cynthia admitted quietly.

Louisa glanced at her, then focused on the road. “Still thinking about last night?”

“They’re serious, Lou. It’s not just talk anymore. My mom just told me to come home early because the Sanchese family is coming for dinner.”

Louisa almost hit the brakes. “Wait. Tonight?”

Cynthia nodded miserably. “Apparently, they want to meet their ‘future daughter-in-law.’”

Louisa’s jaw dropped. “Oh my God. Do they even realize how insane that sounds?”

Cynthia leaned her head against the window, her voice barely above a whisper. “They don’t care how it sounds. They care how it looks.”

Louisa exhaled, her tone softening. “You’re not a chess piece, Cyn. You’re their daughter.”

Cynthia smiled bitterly. “Sometimes, I think they forget that.”

---

School passed in a blur. The lessons felt distant, the voices of her teachers muffled. All day, she kept catching herself zoning out, lost in thoughts she didn’t want to have. Every laugh, every sound of lockers slamming shut, every rumor swirling through the hallways felt meaningless now.

But the universe wasn’t about to let her hide easily.

She spotted Xavier by the locker corridor, leaning casually against the wall. Surrounded by his friends, he looked untouchable ntouchable like the world bent around him. The same boy who would soon be her fiancé. 

Their eyes met for a brief second. His expression didn’t change, not even slightly. No apology, no guilt, no curiosity just that same cool indifference he always wore.

Cynthia looked away quickly and walked faster. She couldn’t face him. Not today.

---

By the end of the day, her head was heavy, her emotions tangled.

“I’ll text you when I’m home,” she told Louisa as they stood near the school gate.

Louisa nodded, gripping her arm gently. “You sure you don’t want me to come over? I can hide behind the curtains while you throw bread rolls at them.”

Cynthia laughed softly. “You’d probably get caught before dessert.”

Louisa smiled. “Still worth it. Be strong, okay?”

Cynthia nodded and climbed into the waiting car.

The sky was a soft orange when the Hale mansion appeared through the trees. The long driveway looked peaceful, but the knot in her chest tightened with every passing second.

The front doors opened before she reached the steps. Her mother stood there, perfectly poised, pearls gleaming under the chandelier.

“Welcome home, sweetheart,” she said smoothly. “Go upstairs and change. Something elegant. The Sanchese family will be here soon.”

Cynthia swallowed hard. “Are you really excited about this?”

Her mother tilted her head slightly. “You’ll understand one day, Cynthia. This is about your future our family’s future.”

“But what about my choice?”

Her mother smiled sadly. “Sometimes, choice isn’t part of the plan.”

Cynthia turned away before the tears could fall. “Fine. I’ll get ready.”

Upstairs, she threw her bag on the bed and froze

Her room no longer looked like her own.

Laid out across the velvet couch and hanging from her wardrobe door were at least six elegant dresses silk, satin, chiffon all in soft, flattering tones. Jewelry boxes sat neatly beside them, a pair of heels glimmering under the light.

Her mother had planned everything.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. Of course she did.

Cynthia walked over and ran her fingers along one of the gowns, a pale blue one that shimmered faintly. It was beautiful too beautiful for a girl who felt like she was being wrapped up for sale.

She sank into the chair by her vanity, staring at her reflection. Her reflection stared back at her tired eyes, forced calm. She picked up her phone and typed quickly.

Cynthia:

> “Lou, they’re almost here.”

Louisa:

> “You okay?”

Cynthia:

> “No. But I’ll survive.”

Louisa:

> “You always do. Just breathe, Cyn. You’ve got this.”

Cynthia smiled faintly. If only she believed that.

Outside her window, headlights swept across the driveway as the first of the Sanchese cars arrived.

She could hear voices downstairs, the echo of laughter, the low murmur of expensive shoes against marble floors.