The swapped Bride

a's

my phone-an unwelcome reminder of the pressures awaiting me at home. It seemed like every time I sought

iced through my reverie, snappin

Do I owe you something?" I snapped back, my fru

and you haven't picked up once. Please tell me it's not your parents again,"

everyone in my life so damn irritating?" I groaned, risin

arents about marriage?" Charlotte followed

by some guy hiding behind that institution. Once I save enough for my own place, I'm out of that damn house. Let's see if th

end, they might be more patient," Charlotte offered tentatively

ex did to me," I admitted quietly, the memory of p

ind a guy like mine to toy with, it might appease your parents," Charlott

t, guilt would eat me alive. Pretending is not my forte," I shook my head

deeper, Charlotte's phone buzzed insis

o check up on me through you," I asked sharp

arlotte grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling wit

ged, curiosity getting the better of me as I wondered wh

hit-chat," she dismissed casually, wavin

job and money," I said, a twinge of envy seeping into my voice as I co

g on your parents for everything?" Charlotte counte

and spare the poor guy," I sighed, the contrast

cking up the call with a half-hearte

chaos of our discussion. Eventually, I found my own phone, its screen aglow with a text fro

re you anymore. Come back home,'" I recited aloud, the famil

d by the weight of my own decisions. My mother's promises felt hollow, echoes of

y career prospects, enduring endless dinner table discussions about marriage. Perh

rced through my thoughts once mor

. I'm tired of hearing about everything he does," I thought bitterly, my

" I snapped at Charlotte, my patience wearing

nced with excitement, a mischievo

? Why should I care when I've got my own problems?" I retor

human ATM, is planning a surprise bash for me," she g

no special occasion?" I frowned, bewildered

pamper you like a princess," she teased, her words

ure out," I muttered defiantly, retreating into Charlotte's