Substitute bride
NA'S
avoid it, but my mother'
ar, tilted my face up, a
e, eliciting a s
'd experienced, even with Derric
lips remained joined, the clappin
ge plastered across magazines and
ed, pulling away from his
ngratulated us, "You
te "Thank you," noticing Aiden
gnified woman in her fifties, added
to overwhelm me, and I needed to
en and his mother, who were deep in c
teps followed, bu
bed, tears flowe
e with your silence," she scol
rs' opinions, never my
ated coldly. "And pack your bags; you're leaving with Aiden
dreading the six months ahead wi
of anger when he hears about it. Facin
age, a faint tap at the w
on who uses that rout
indow, it opened
mere presence acc
, leaping in with a bouq
are you here
mile
n is why you've been ignor
noticed. I avoided his g
wn?" he inquired, his words making me w
his tone reaching a volume
aking, he seized m
e go," I implored, withdraw
ain why you're wearing that gown?"
What should I say first? Thes
ter a word. Say any
onger able to keep it a secret. It was ove
kidding, aren't y
th," I interjected, l
he protested, and only then did I notic
in marriage today, my love. How
ul expressi
r eventual reunion after six months, but the
d, drawing nearer as tears streamed
, striving for believability in my admissio
pt that tale?" Derrick challen
or you were never sincere. It was merely a c
ter, was supposed to marry that man. How did
g, but I had to come to
rn. Please, leave me be," I imp
waist. "Let's escape together. Let's just fl
t the thought of my father c
eyes brimming with emotion, and was about to kiss
my mother demanded, causi
lent about the situation, and she
aughter," Derrick declared
mile tinged with mischief. Approaching us,
need for you in her life. Leave immediatel
you?" Derrick accused, promptin
mind behind this,
ccusations against my mother. Kindly
luence on my choices, I refused to le
s immensely, I ass
ice quivering as I watched Derric
d to vanish with De
regret this immensely." Perhaps he was r
ondered: could I rewrite my fate, or was it already etc