The Day Everything Was Supposed to Begin

My nanny kept insisting I come back inside, that I had to get ready. My parents would be sending the car to pick me up in a few hours. I remembered it all so vividly, how it happened the last time. I had been ecstatic that day, I was going to get engaged to Gregory. It all felt like the perfect fairy tale. I had been in love with him since university.

Now that I look back, I realize I was the only one showing any real emotion. He barely managed a smile. I was twenty-two and had worked hard to finish my postgrad studies so I could become the ideal wife for Gregory. After all, he was ten years older, seemed refined and chivalrous, but in my dreams of love, I hadn’t paid attention to the details.

Gregory was tall, with warm brown skin and a serious but pleasant face. His mysterious gray eyes had always captivated me. He dressed sharply, and although he was slim, his arms were strong. I have to admit, he was easy on the eyes.

But now, things would be different. Knowing that five years from now he’d be rolling around in bed with my best friend, and practically calling me frigid, when in truth, I had never been with anyone but him, I thought everything was fine back then. If he had been honest, I would’ve tried harder, done more. But what am I doing? Blaming myself for his idiocy? No. I refuse to do that. I won’t be the guilty one anymore.

I will take control of my life, and I won’t let anyone mock me again.

After showering, I saw the delicate blush-pink dress neatly laid on my bed, the one I wore five years ago. Back then, I had dressed like an angelic princess: pure, noble, innocent. But not this time.

This time, I wanted to feel powerful. I wanted Gregory to see exactly what he would never have in his arms. I wanted him to witness what he could have had, and would never, ever own.

I smiled and went to the closet, pulling out the dress I bought in Vienna—the one my friend Samantha, whom my mother never liked, had convinced me to buy. I’d never had the courage to wear it before.

But now was the moment to find out just how stunning I could look in it.

By noon, we arrived at the hotel. When my parents saw me walk in wearing that dress, they were the first to be shocked. The dress shimmered in silver gray, made of semi-transparent fabric, with a single shoulder strap that left one arm and shoulder exposed. It clung to my figure like a second skin. Though it was floor-length, the high slit down one side showed off my long legs—and if I wasn’t careful, it could reveal even more.

Maybe I didn’t have Katherine’s voluptuous curves or her flaming red hair and full lips, but my body was toned, thanks to years of aerobic classes.

The moment my mother saw me, she pulled me aside by the arm with a disapproving glare.

—“Have you lost your mind, Marilyn? That’s not the dress I picked for today. You look cheap,” she hissed.

—“Mrs. Rachel,” I snapped, “aren’t you offering me like some kind of merchandise? Then this packaging works better.”

I had never dared speak to my mother that way before. But if my fate was to end up run over by my cheating husband and my backstabbing best friend, I’d rather meet any other ending than that ridiculous, devastating one.

—“You must’ve hit your head,” my mother retorted. “You’ve always been the most eager for this engagement with Gregory Smith.”

—“Maybe I was,” I said bitterly, “but not anymore. I’m too young to get married.”

Then came the sharp pain in my arm as my father grabbed me hard. For the first time, I realized he wouldn’t back down.

—“You wanted this marriage, insolent girl,” he growled. “I won’t risk all my investments and contracts with the Smiths over one of your whims. You’ll marry Gregory, and you’ll stay with him until you die. Whether you like it or not.”

Gregory’s words echoed in my mind—the ones he spat at me in that hotel room when I found him with Katherine:

“Do you think your parents will be happy when they find out? They’re the ones who care the most about you staying married to me. So suck it up and think twice.”

I glared at my father, but his eyes were colder than ever. He took my chin and forced me to look at him.

—“In this house, things are done my way. You’re marrying that man because he guarantees me investment access through his family’s firm. You were the one most interested in this—so now you’ll deal with it. After all, he’ll be the one paying for your luxurious life.”

That’s when I realized I was just a bargaining chip for them. I was alone in avoiding the fate that awaited me. But I still had time, now that I could see clearly, not through the naïve eyes of the foolish girl I used to be.

Guests were arriving, and I had to walk into the reception hall with my parents. Everything was just as I remembered. At one table sat Katherine, smiling sweetly at me. I wondered how long the betrayal had been going on. I wanted to run, but I held myself back. I had to be smart. Strategic.

There was something odd in Gregory’s gaze now. He had never looked at me with desire before, but now he did. Apparently, the dress had the intended effect.

He smiled and sat beside me.

Once, that would’ve melted me.

But now, I could only picture him and Katherine—twisted in the sheets, groaning in pleasure, mocking me. All I felt now was disgust.

I couldn’t even look at him.

Everything was unfolding like before. Our parents gave their speeches. Gregory’s eyes practically undressed me, but all I could feel was revulsion. Soon, he would speak, and the formal proposal would come. I had to stop this.

I stood up, and as I turned to him, I "accidentally" knocked over a glass of red wine, right onto my dress. Gregory jumped to help, but all he really wanted was to touch my leg. I pulled away, annoyed, and rushed to the bathroom.

My nerves were on edge. I didn’t know what to do.

Moments later, Katherine walked in with that sweet voice of hers—so grating now—and tried to comfort me.

—“You must’ve gotten nervous being so close to Gregory. Let me help you so you can go back out and make the engagement official,” she said with a sugary smile.

—“Do you like Gregory?” I asked her directly.

—“What are you saying, Marilyn? I know he’s the man you’re in love. I’d never look at him that way,” she said innocently.

—“Are you sure? He’s very attractive,” I pressed.

—“Even if he were, I’d never be interested. You’re acting strange today,” she said, shifting uncomfortably.

I didn’t push further. My mother entered then, and with one cold glare, Katherine left immediately.

My mother looked me dead in the eye, and slapped me hard across the face.

—“You’ve always been stupid. But at least you used to try to hide it. Now you’re going back out there, putting on your usual idiot smile, and accepting Gregory’s proposal,” she said flatly.

I stared at her, stunned.

I couldn’t believe my mother had just said that.

I barely managed to respond, “Let me freshen up a bit.”

She left. I took a deep breath. In the mirror, I spotted a small window.

Without thinking twice, I climbed up and slipped through it.

And then I ran. I didn’t know where to go. I had no money. But I could not accept that engagement. Not now, knowing what it would lead to.

I was so panicked that I ran straight into the street without looking. Tires screeched—

A car slammed its brakes.

I trembled, paralyzed with fear. I’d nearly been run over.

A tall man stepped out of the car, handsome, with dark hair and deep, intense eyes. He rushed toward me.

—“Are you all right, miss?” he asked.

My legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed into his arms.