Chapter 2

Sarah's POV

The night before my forced wedding, sleep was impossible.

I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling, my heart hammering so loudly. The clock on the wall ticked mercilessly toward midnight.

I swallowed hard.

No… I can't do this.

With trembling hands, I sat up and quietly pulled out the small black backpack I had hidden under my bed. Inside were only a few clothes, my worn out sketchbook, a bottle of water, and the little cash given to me by Kael.

We had planned that he'll pick me up by 10 p.m. at our meetup point.

My hands shook as I changed into dark jeans on a black hoodie. I tied my hair back tightly and slipped on my sneakers. I cracked my bedroom door open and peeped into the dark hallway.

Silence.

The mansion was eerily quiet. My parents had gone to bed early, exhausted from the final wedding preparations.

Heart pounding, I slipped out and closed the door softly behind me. I moved on tiptoe, pressing myself against the wall whenever I heard the slightest click.

I reached the back staircase that led down to the kitchen. The side door was my target, the one that opened into the garden. From there, I could climb the back fence and disappear into the city streets.

My hand closed around the cold doorknob. I turned it slowly, praying it wouldn't squeak. The door finally opened with a soft click.

I stepped outside.

The garden was dark and still. My breathing was fast as I was running, backpack bouncing against my back.

I finally reached the back fence, the final barrier between me and freedom. I threw my backpack over first, hearing it land with a soft thud on the other side.

“You can do this,” I assured myself.

A sudden noise made me pause midway.

Footsteps.

My heart nearly stopped.

I held onto the wall, barely breathing, listening. The footsteps grew louder.

“Who is there?” A male voice asked. It sounded like Mr. Thomas, the chief guard.

Another voice Alex, one of our security men answered. “I’ll go check.”

I was praying silently.

Panic surged through my body like electricity. I climbed faster, desperate to reach the top. My foot slipped once making a sound that seemed deafening in the quiet night.

“Over there!!!” Mr. Thomas shouted.

Flashlight suddenly cut through the darkness, sweeping across the garden and landing directly on me.

“Miss Sarah!” Alex's voice rang out, shocked. “What are you doing up there?”

I didn't answer. With a burst of desperate strength, I put myself higher. The top of the world was so close, just a few more inches and I would drop to the other side.

But strong hands grabbed my ankle from below.

“No!!!” I screamed, kicking wildly. “Let me go!!!”

Most guards came running from the house, alerted by the commotion. Rough but careful and grabbed my arms, my waist, pulling me down despite my violent resistance. I thought wildly, kicking, twisting, and screaming.

“Let me go!!!” I cried. “Please….”

Mr. Thomas' grip was firm. “Miss Sarah, please calm down. You will hurt yourself.”

“I don't care,” I snapped, still struggling even as they pulled me away from the wall.

My backpack lay abandoned on the other side of the wall.

I fell on my knees, chest heaving, tears pouring from my eyes.

“Why?” I muttered through the tears. “Why does it have to be me?”

No one answered. They simply helped me up.

As they let me back towards the house, my escape crushed, my spirit broken once again. I looked up at the dark sky and let out one last bitter cry.

Tomorrow, I will stand in the courtroom as the Bride.

And there was nothing I could do about it.

I laid on the bed without sleeping until morning came and I was dressed forcefully and prepared to be a bride.

I stood motionless in front of the full-length mirror, staring at myself like I was a stranger wearing a wedding dress.

The ivory silk, white wedding dress hugged my body perfectly. The lace sleeves fell gently down my arms, and the top part showed my shape before flowing into a long, elegant way that pooled gracefully at my feet. The veil was pinned carefully into my softly curled hair, and the subtle makeup made my hazel eyes look larger, my lips soft and rosy.

A perfect bride.

But inside me, I felt nothing.

A soft knock broke the silence, and mom stepped in already dressed.

“Oh, my beautiful girl…” She clasped her hands together. “Look at you. You look so beautiful in that wedding dress. The silk fits you perfectly, and the lace… it’s really lovely. You look like a real bride.”

I turned slowly to face her, my face looking tired that even the makeup couldn't hide it. “I hope you all are happy now?”

She stepped closer, reaching out to adjust the veil on the wedding gown. “Sarah, sweetheart, please. I know this is difficult, but try to see the good in it. Adrian is a powerful man. You’ll live in luxury. You’ll never have to worry about money or status again. This marriage will save our family. Calm down!”

I shook my head slowly, tears welling in my eyes ruining my makeup but I cared less. “I know I'm not your daughter, but please, put Ivy in my shoes. Would you have accepted it if Ivy was the one being exchanged for business purposes? A real mother wouldn’t force her daughter into a wedding gown and a marriage she doesn’t want just to protect the family reputation.”

Before she could reply, the door opened again. Dad entered, looking impatient in his formal suit. Behind him was Ivy, dressed casually in jeans and a crop top.

“We’re running late,” dad said brusquely, checking his watch. “The car is waiting. Sarah, let's go. We need to leave now.

Ivy gave me a small awkward smile but I ignored her.

I wiped my tears looking at him, while searching for the right word to tell him.

He checked his watch again, clearly irritated. “Enough. We’re already late. Ivy, go wait in the car. Sarah, fix your face and come downstairs immediately.”

Ivy gave me one last glance before she turned and left the room.

“Dad,” I called.

He didn’t reply. He simply gestured toward the door. “Downstairs. Now. Be fast about it.”

He finally left with Mom following him behind.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror for an unhealthy amount of time now knowing what else to do at this point.