Chapter 3

“So... would you be willing to help Alexa by taking her fiancé's place?”

“Dad?!” Alexa stared at him in disbelief. Her swollen eyes widened, though they still hadn't fully recovered.

Marry her own best friend?

She had never—ever—imagined something like that happening. Not even for a second.

Chandra, meanwhile, remained rooted to the spot. His eyes were unfocused, his mind drifting far from the room.

“Alexa's such a beautiful girl, isn't she, Chan? I'd love to have a daughter-in-law like her.”

The memory of Mrs. Rose—Chandra's stepmother—echoed through his mind.

She was a graceful woman around Alexa's mother's age, the very person who had changed his life. If it hadn't been for Mrs. Rose, Chandra doubted he would be living the life he had now.

He had laughed softly.

“You're really something, Mom.”

Mrs. Rose smiled warmly. “I'm serious, Chan. If Alexa didn't already have a fiancé, I'd ask her parents for permission to let her marry you.”

Back then, Chandra had simply burst into laughter.

“Oh, come on, Mom. Alexa would never want to marry me. She only sees me as her best friend. Nothing more.”

“Well... you never know. Maybe the two of you are destined for each other.”

She refused to let the idea go.

“You remember the story about your father and Alexa's father, don't you? After Ala's biological mother passed away, they went years without seeing each other. They started out as former in-laws, yet somehow ended up husband and wife. Who's to say you and Alexa won't become a couple someday?”

The words had rendered Chandra speechless.

“No one knows what fate has in store, Chan. Just look at your father and me.”

He had sighed before slowly shaking his head.

“I've never thought of Alexa that way, Mom. She's just my best friend. Nothing more. I've always seen her as my little sister... just like Lucy and Ken.”

Mrs. Rose merely nodded with a gentle smile.

“Then don't worry about it. I was only telling you what was on my mind. At least now you know what kind of daughter-in-law I'd love to have.”

“I don't want to marry Chandra!”

Alexa's hoarse but determined voice shattered his memories, pulling him back to the present.

He looked at his best friend, who was glaring defiantly at her father.

“Chandra and I are just friends, Dad! I don't want our friendship to end because of a marriage. And I won't betray Dr. Robert. If this wedding has to be canceled, then I'll cancel it!”

“You can't do that, Alexa!” Mr. Lucas barked, finally losing his patience. His voice rose sharply as he fixed his daughter with a piercing glare. “You're not the only one who'll be humiliated. Our entire family's reputation is at stake! What do you think my business associates will say when they find out my daughter's wedding fell apart because her fiancé ended up behind bars?”

Mrs. Nancy quickly stepped in, trying to calm him before the argument spiraled even further.

“Robert isn't a criminal, Dad! It was an accident!” Alexa shot back through her tears.

“He's still going to prison, Alexa. Please, try to understand.” His voice remained firm despite the pleading in it. “I've always given you everything you've wanted. Just this once, do what I'm asking. This isn't for my sake—it's for your future.”

Alexa couldn't bring herself to answer.

Her sobs grew louder, each one wrenching at Chandra's heart.

Ya Allah... what am I supposed to do?

Seeing the conflict written all over Chandra's face, Elvan immediately leaned closer and whispered, “Chan, stop spacing out. Make a decision already so this drama can end. Can you really stand by and watch your best friend become the talk of everyone because her wedding was called off?”

Chandra stood in silence for several long moments before releasing a deep sigh.

His eyes moved to the family still caught in their argument. The tension had eased slightly, but the pain remained.

Watching them, he suddenly thought of his younger sister.

If she were in Alexa's position... Dad would probably do exactly the same thing, wouldn't he?

His heart pounded painfully against his chest.

Gathering every bit of courage he had, he finally spoke.

“Uncle... Aunt... I'm sorry for interrupting.”

The couple turned toward him at once.

Alexa did too.

Her entire body tensed. Her red, tear-filled eyes locked onto his, while her heartbeat thundered inside her chest.

“Well, Chandra?” Mr. Lucas asked, hope flickering across his face. “Are you willing?”

Chandra met Alexa's gaze.

She immediately shook her head, silently begging him to refuse.

But his mind had already been made up.

He couldn't bear to watch his best friend and the family he considered his own live under the shadow of endless humiliation.

He drew another slow breath, as though the weight pressing against his chest had become almost unbearable.

The next sentence he spoke would change someone's future.

Including his own.

“Chan...” Alexa whispered, shaking her head over and over. Her pleading eyes begged him not to agree. She truly didn't want their friendship to be destroyed.

“Chandra,” Mr. Lucas pleaded, “please make the right decision. Please save our family from the shame that could affect our future.”

Looking into Mr. Lucas's desperate eyes, Chandra suddenly saw his own father's face.

At that moment, his heart made the choice for him.

He gave a firm nod before speaking.

“In the name of God... I'm willing to marry Alexa, Uncle. I'll help save your family from that humiliation.”

“Chandra! Have you lost your mind?!”

Alexa glared at her best friend, unable to accept the decision he had just made.

Never—not once—had she imagined her life taking such an unexpected turn.

Marry her best friend?

The idea had never crossed her mind, not even in her wildest dreams.

She had never felt anything more than friendship for him.

To become husband and wife?

Never.

For a moment, Chandra flinched at her raised voice. Then he let out a quiet sigh.

“I'm sorry, Alexa. But I can't just stand by and let your family be humiliated because of this. I've always thought of your parents as my own... and I've always thought of you as the little sister I never had.”

He paused, his voice calm despite the turmoil inside him.

“So if your family's reputation is at stake... then I'll take that risk. I'll take over Dr. Robert's responsibility toward you.”

Alexa shook her head frantically as tears streamed down her face.

“But I don't want this, Chandra...” she sobbed. “I don't want to marry you...”