Married to my high school bully

Mia's POV

Never before had I felt so suffocated within the confines of my own home. The constant pressure from my parents to settle down, find a suitable match, and embrace the traditional path they had meticulously planned for me weighed heavily on my spirit. One warm summer evening, I reached a breaking point. Packing a small bag in haste, I quietly left the house to my friends place without my parents knowing. the moon casting a faint, sympathetic glow as my only witness to this act of rebellion.

Charlotte, my trusted friend, had been urging me to join a party that night, promising music and laughter to lift my spirits. But amidst the turmoil at home, celebrating felt impossible. Instead, I  walked out of her house and I sought solace in the quiet streets of my neighborhood. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of cars offered a strange comfort as I walked aimlessly, trying to quiet the storm of thoughts raging within me.

I eventually found myself at a secluded park bench, gazing up at the stars scattered across the dark canvas of the sky. It was there, in that solitary moment, that my phone buzzed, jolting me back to reality. With a deep breath, I checked my messages, and there it was—an unexpected notification that sent a chill down my spine.

"A wedding invitation? Who owns this wedding invitation?" I thought.

My heart skipped a beat as I opened the message, disbelief flooding through me as I read the details. It was an invitation from my own mother, addressed not just to me but also to a name I knew all too well—my own.

"Who is my namesake that is getting married?" I read out unknowingly.

I gasped as I checked the name so well and I realized that it was attached to my surname. the shock hit me like a tidal wave. They had planned my wedding behind my back.

Panic surged through me as I struggled to comprehend how my life had spiraled to this point. I had escaped to avoid precisely this outcome, yet here it was, unfolding before my eyes in stark black and white. The night grew colder around me as I sat on that bench, lost in a whirlwind of emotions—anger, betrayal, and fear mingling within me, threatening to overwhelm my fragile composure.

I scrolled through the invitation again, the words mocking me with their finality. The venue, the date—it was all set. My future had been decided without my consent, leaving me feeling like a puppet in a play I never auditioned for.

"Mia, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost," Charlotte's voice cut through my reverie, concern etched deeply on her face as she gently touched my shoulder.

I swallowed hard, unable to find the right words. Wordlessly, I handed her my phone. She scanned the invitation, her face a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

"Oh my God, Mia... This is your wedding?"

"I... I don't understand. This can't be real. It must be some mistake," I muttered, my throat tightening with unshed tears. I had always confided in Charlotte, shared my dreams and fears, but never had I imagined needing her support like this.

"If this is really true, then I don't know what to do," I managed to whisper finally, my voice barely audible over the distant city noises.

Charlotte sat down beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders in a gesture of solidarity. "We'll figure this out, Mia. You don't have to face this alone."

"I thought you really went to the party," I asked, trying to find some normalcy amidst the chaos.

"No, I stayed back because you said you wouldn't go and followed you here" Charlotte replied softly.

Together, we sat in silence for what felt like an eternity, the weight of the invitation heavy between us. My mind raced with questions and uncertainties. How could I confront my parents about this betrayal? Did I have any say in my own future anymore?

As dawn broke on the horizon, a resolve began to settle within me. With Charlotte by my side, I knew I couldn't hide from this. I needed to confront my parents and reclaim control over my life, if this was indeed true. Fear couldn't dictate my actions any longer.

"I'm going home," I announced quietly, my voice carrying newfound determination. Charlotte nodded in understanding, squeezing my hand reassuringly. Together, we walked back through the quiet streets, each step bringing me closer to the confrontation I had avoided for too long.

Reaching my house, I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the storm that awaited me inside. With Charlotte's unwavering support, I pushed open the front door and stepped into the familiar surroundings that now felt suffocatingly unfamiliar. Voices echoed from the living room, and I knew the moment had come to speak my truth.

The scene froze as I entered, my parents turning to me with surprise etched on their faces. The air crackled with tension as I held up the wedding invitation, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me.

"We need to talk."

My mother's eyes widened in realization, a flicker of guilt crossing her features before she composed herself. "Mia, darling, please understand..."

But I cut her off, my words measured and clear. "I won't let you decide my future. This is not what I want."

Silence fell heavily in the room as my parents exchanged glances, emotions swirling like a brewing storm. I stood my ground, heart pounding with defiance and uncertainty. This was my moment to reclaim my autonomy, to forge a path of my own choosing.

And as the tension mounted, a single question hung in the air, unanswered yet looming large: What would my next move be?

To be continued