Mary Redferne My heart races as I stand before Joseph, his intoxicating scent enveloping me as he stands a little too close for comfort—something the old Joseph would have never done. His towering stature looms over my 5’5 frame, and I stubbornly refuse to meet his gaze, feeling his eyes boring into me.As I face the balcony, the cool air brushing against my skin, Joseph breaks the silence. "Mary, I need you to tell me if you actually want this. I don't want you to do this for your parents. We'll find a way out of this if you don't want it," he says, his words sinking in and momentarily easing my anxiety. But I can't bring myself to trust him anymore, not after he chose to side with Joshua despite knowing exactly what happened.This reassurance feels hollow, everything around me seems fake—including the calmness of the night. But I realize I may not get another chance to escape this situation. Being remotely associated with the McKinnons for the rest of my life is something I despera

Mary Redferne I stood alone in the empty barn, the faint scent of hay and dust lingering in the air. My heart sank as I reviewed the list of potential wedding venues that were approved by Mr. McKinnon. Each option seemed more lacklustre than the last, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment.I didn’t mind a simple wedding but I preferred if it was my choice.Suddenly, the sound of footsteps interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up to see Joseph walking towards me. Despite my nerves, a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I admired his handsome features. I see the wedding planner eyes widen as she looks at Joseph, she probably didn’t expect for a greek god to walk in.I despised the flutter of excitement that surged through me at the sight of him, the familiar pang of anticipation twisting in my chest. It was absurd how his presence could evoke such feelings in me, the giddy anticipation I used to feel back in sixth grade, waiting to catch a glimpse of my cru

Mary Redferne Walking down the aisle at The Fearrington Inn felt like stepping into a fairytale. The venue, adorned with twinkling lights and fragrant flowers, exuded an intimate charm that warmed my heart. Joseph stood at the end of the aisle, his eyes sparkling with emotion as he watched me approach.The soft strains of a string quartet filled the air, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. The small gathering of our closest family and friends radiated love and support, making the moment even more special. Except for my parents, I was happy that Clara and my extended family made it on such a short notice.With every step down the aisle, I felt like royalty, my heart brimming with joy and excitement.I don’t know why the wedding dress made me so happy but it did.It was exactly how I imagined my wedding dress would be like. I knew Joshua’s father was angry upon seeing the dress and I couldn’t help but be thankful about Joseph and his mother standing up for me. The soft fabric traile

Mary Redferne Joseph and I headed home after the wedding, but instead of taking the car to his house, where I had stayed, we headed uptown towards his office. I fidgeted with my fingers in lap as the driver drove in the awkward silence. Joseph stole a few glances at me but didn’t say anything.I sat quietly in the passenger seat, my mind swirling with questions and curiosity. The silence stretched between us, heavy with anticipation and a touch of anxiety."Joseph, where are we going?" I finally voiced my question, breaking the stillness of the car."I made a decision for us," Joseph replied, his voice calm and reassuring. "I hope this actually makes you happy. I wasn’t sure how to go about it and I didn’t have a lot of time because of the rushed wedding. So its not fully ready and maybe that’s a good thing." His response brought a flutter of excitement mixed with nervousness.His words only fueled my curiosity further. What decision could he have made? And why the secrecy? Despite m

Mary RedferneI stepped into the master bathroom, my eyes widening at the sight of the extravagant bathtub before me. With a smile of anticipation, I reached for the container of lavender bath salts perched on the edge of the marble countertop, as I wondered who Joseph employed to make sure all the things I could possibly need were here.As I unscrewed the lid, the calming scent of lavender enveloped my senses, filling the room with its delicate fragrance. I took a deep breath, savoring the familiar aroma that never failed to bring me comfort. Lavender had always been my go-to remedy for stress and exhaustion, and today was no exception.With practiced ease, I poured a generous amount of the fragrant salts into the relaxing warm water, watching as they dissolved immediately. The bathtub began to fill with a cloud of bubbles, making me jump a little in excitement.As I lowered myself into the tub, the warm water embraced me, cocooning me. I sighed with contentment, feeling the cares of