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