Back then continues...
Matthew
I nod stiffly and follow him out into the hallway, leaving Sarah sobbing on the bed. As soon as the door closes behind us, her father runs a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair, looking suddenly older than his years.
"I don’t know what to say," he begins, his voice low and strained. "I had no idea she would... Christ, Matthew, I’m sorry."
The apology catches off guard.
"I didn’t know either," I manage to say. "I just found out."
He nods. "What are you going to do?"
It’s a simple question with an obvious answer, but hearing it spoken aloud makes everything suddenly, terribly real. The wedding. The guests. My family waiting downstairs, unaware that everything has fallen apart.
"I can’t marry her," I say, the words tasting like ash. "I can’t be with soone who would lie about sothing like this."
Her father’s face hardens, the montary sympathy evaporating.
"You will marry my daughter today," he says, his voice low but carrying the unmistakable weight of command.
I blink, certain I’ve misheard. "Excuse ?"
"You heard perfectly well, Matthew." He steps close. "This wedding is happening. Today. As planned."
A disbelieving laugh escapes . "You can’t be serious. Did you miss the part where she lied about being pregnant? Where she manipulated into proposing?"
"I heard everything," he replies, unmoved. "And I understand you’re upset. But there are two hundred guests downstairs. Business associates, family friends, people who have flown in from across the country."
He straightens his tie, a gesture so mundane it seems absurd in this mont. "The Wilson na ans sothing in this town. I won’t have it dragged through the mud because my daughter made a foolish mistake."
"A foolish mistake?" I repeat, incredulous. "This isn’t like she forgot to pay a parking ticket. She fabricated an entire pregnancy."
The corridor feels too narrow suddenly and I feel suffocated.
"Matthew," he says, his tone softening. "Let’s be practical."
"Practical," I repeat dumbly.
"Sarah is my only daughter. I have given her everything she has ever wanted and for a good reason. This ti won’t be any different because I know she loves you. And I won’t, under any circumstances, let her be humiliated," he says firmly.
His eyes lock with mine, and I see what he’s really saying. This isn’t about saving his daughter from humiliation. This is about saving face. About his reputation.
"With all due respect, sir," I say, struggling to keep my voice steady, "I don’t give a damn about your family na right now. Your daughter lied to about sothing unforgivable."
He steps closer, lowering his voice. "Let be clear. If you walk away today, I will make sure you regret it. You don’t know the extent of my influence. I will make sure you are blacklisted. No one will hire you again. You will be ruined, Matthew."
"Are you threatening ?" I ask, disbelief coloring my tone.
"I’m explaining reality," he says smoothly. "Actions have consequences, Matthew. For everyone."
I think of my father and how hard he worked to raise my sister and .
"So I’m supposed to just smile and say my vows like nothing happened? Commit my life to soone who would deceive this way?"
"You’re supposed to be a man," he says coldly. "Handle this privately, like adults. The ceremony starts in five minutes."
With that, he walks away. My mind races, trying to process everything that’s happened in the last fifteen minutes. My entire future has been derailed.
I slump against the wall, running my hands through my hair. What the hell am I supposed to do now? Marry a woman I can’t trust to save my career? Walk away and risk everything I’ve worked for?
My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s a text from my sister.
"Matthew, where are you? You are supposed to be standing at the altar!"
I stare at the screen, unable to form a response.
This can’t be happening to .
I head back outside, each step harder than the last.
I can feel my pulse hamring in my temples, a physical manifestation of the rage that’s building inside with each passing second.
Her deception was so complete, so expertly executed. How many nights had I lain awake, thinking about this damned baby? All while she lied and lied.
I’ve never felt this kind of rage before. It’s like a living thing inside , clawing to get out.
I hate her.
But I will marry her.
I’m going to say my vows. And then I’m going to make her regret every single day that she decided to trick into this marriage.
So I do what her father asks to do. I stand at the altar, my fists clenched at my sides as the murmur of the guests dies down. My heart pounds, but not from nerves—it’s from barely restrained fury.
Then the music starts.
Heads turn, eyes lighting up with admiration as Sarah appears at the end of the aisle, a vision in white. She looks beautiful, but all I see is a liar. A manipulator.
She walks toward , her steps hesitant. Her face is pale, her smile brittle, as if she knows exactly what I’m thinking. Good. She should be afraid.
I keep my expression neutral as she stops beside . Her hands tremble when she takes mine.
The officiant begins to speak, but I barely hear him. My gaze is locked onto Sarah’s.
Does she even realize what she is getting herself into?
When it’s ti for the vows, her voice wavers. "I, Sarah, take you, Matthew... to be my lawfully wedded husband." She blinks rapidly, like she might cry.
I hope she does.
The room is silent as everyone waits for to speak. I let the silence stretch, feeling Sarah’s fingers tighten around mine. A faint, desperate plea lingers in her eyes.
I clear my throat and say the words that will bind to this woman.
"I, Matthew, take you, Sarah..."
She exhales, relief flickering across her face.
Foolish.
I finish the vow, my tone steady, but inside, I’m already planning my next move.
She thinks she’s won.
She has no idea what’s coming.
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