How did she end up here?
Getting married at just twenty…
To a stranger who hated her to the core.
Aria stood on the altar, her fingers tightening around the bouquet as her hands trembled uncontrollably. She could feel the cold, unfriendly eyes of everyone seated in the church, eyes judging her, whispering, waiting.
Her gaze shifted to the man beside her.
Adrian Sterling.
Her soon-to-be husband.
He didn't even bother to dress for the occasion, as though this wedding meant nothing to him, just a casual shirt and jeans, while she stood beside him in a short white wedding gown that suddenly felt too heavy for her weak legs. Adrian didn't even spare her a glance throughout
"Do you, Adrian Sterling, take Aria Dawson as your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest asked.
Adrian didn't hesitate. He didn't look up
"I do."
"And do you, Aria Dawson, take Adrian Sterling as your lawfully wedded husband?"
Aria hesitated.
Her eyes scanned the crowd, her father, her stepmother, her stepsister, her little stepbrother.
Different expressions.
But all waiting for one thing.
For her to sell her life… just to save theirs.
They're all waiting for me to say yes. To walk into this pit of hell, she thought as her eyes filled with tears.
"What's wrong? Isn't this what you wanted?" Adrian's cold voice sliced into her, filled with disgust.
Her breath stuttered.
"I… I do," she whispered, her voice breaking.
The rings were exchanged.
And then...
Adrian stepped down from the altar.
Gasps echoed around the church as he turned and walked away.
"Adrian!" Grandpa Sterling shot up from his seat, furious.
"Grandpa, please," Adrian said without emotion. "I already did what you wanted."
Then he walked out.
He didn't look back.
Not even once.
Aria's heart shattered.
Tears spilled freely as she stood frozen on the altar.
Everyone stared at her like she was something filthy, something unwanted.
Slowly, her knees gave out.
She bent down on the altar and cried, her sobs wracking her fragile body.
How did everything change so fast?
Flashback…
FEW WEEKS AGO
In the evening, Aria had just stepped out of a small pharmacy, a nylon bag filled with the medication she bought swinging in her hand.
Her phone rang.
It was her mom. Immediately she picked the call.
"Mom, I just bought your drugs. I'll be home soon."
"Okay, dear. Be careful… and please hurry. I really need them," her mother replied with a weak voice before the call ended.
Her mother had a mild heart condition, manageable with daily medication. They avoided hospitals because the bills were too unbearable to pay, even her part time jobs can't pay it.
Aria took a taxi to their apartment building, a tall, old structure with their unit on the tenth floor. She paid the driver, stepped out, and walked toward the entrance.
THUD!!!
Something heavy hit the ground right beside her, so close she felt the air shift.
Blood splattered across her face and clothes, warm and sticky.
Aria froze.
Her breath died in her throat.
A body…
A real human body…
Broken and lying just inches from her feet.
Her scream tore through the air