FEBRUARY 2023
LILLIAN
Marriage.
One of the most significant decisions a person can make: choosing someone to stand beside you, for better or for worse, and for the rest of your life.
For some, it's the happiest and most beautiful moment they could ever imagine.
Maybe for them... but not for me.
The air in the bridal suite was thick with the scent of fresh roses and the suffocating weight of silk. Outside, brilliant sunlight poured through the window, its warmth mocking the cold dread settling deep in my chest.
Seeking a moment of reprieve, I had asked the coordinator, the makeup artists, and even Cassie, my maid of honor, to leave the room. I needed to breathe. I needed to think.
Left in isolation, I picked up my phone one last time. My thumb pressed hard against the glass of my phone, digging into the text that had arrived an hour ago.
Kuya: I'm sorry, Lil. I won't be there to walk you down. I promise I'll make it up to you when I get back.
A bitter, dry swallow scraped my throat. He wasn't coming. The screen went dark, reflecting my own pale face, framed by a veil that felt less like an heirloom and more like a shroud.
Then, the heavy, rhythmic click of dress shoes echoed from the hallway, stopping right outside my door.
My chest tightened instantly. I knew that stride. The door clicked open, and Uncle Lucian stepped inside, closing it softly behind him. A violent tremble started at the base of my neck and rushed down my spine, my hands shaking so hard I had to press them against the heavy tulle of my gown to hide it.
"Look at you," Uncle Lucian murmured, walking over until he stood directly behind me, staring at my reflection in the mirror. His hands came down on my shoulders, his grip deceptively gentle but heavy enough to pin me in place. "You actually did a great job, Lillian. For once, you made the right decision."
The compliment offered no relief; it only made the cold wave of nausea in my stomach intensify.
He leaned down slightly, his voice dropping to a harsh, private whisper. "Be grateful for this path. If you hadn't complied, you likely would have ended up just like your parents and Aunt Isabel—wasted away, or dead in a tragic car crash. This marriage ensures you remain useful."
I couldn't breathe. I stared at his reflection, my posture completely rigid, trying to survive the suffocating weight of his presence.
Suddenly, another heavy click of the door handle echoed through the suite.
"Hey, princess."
The voice was deep and familiar, slicing cleanly through the dread pooling in my stomach. I spun around, my breath catching tightly in my throat.
"Kuya Liam?"
In a fraction of a second, the cold malice vanished from Uncle Lucian's face. He stepped back, a warm, doting smile painting over his features as if he were nothing more than a proud, caring guardian.
"Ah, you have a visitor," Uncle Lucian said, his voice now loud and perfectly pleasant. He gave my shoulder a reassuring pat. "I'll leave you to prepare, sweetheart. Don't keep the groom waiting."
With a nod, he stepped past the threshold, tapped his son on the shoulder and left the room.
I let out a ragged, shaking breath, my chest heaving as the door handle clicked once more.
Liam stood in the doorway, looking far too calm for someone who, only days ago, had claimed to be buried under urgent family business in Spain. He had insisted it was impossible to make it, that the workload was too heavy. But the lie didn't matter now.
In an instant, a wave of relief washed over me. If he hadn't shown up, I would have been forced to take my uncle's arm. The mere thought of that man's hand on me, guiding me down the aisle as if he owned me, had been a nightmare I couldn't wake from.
"I thought you weren't coming!" I said, half-relieved, half-annoyed.
"Me? Miss your wedding? Not a chance."
He opened his arms wide with that familiar, easy smile tugging at his lips.
Without thinking, I ran into his embrace and we held each other tightly.
His familiar scent was warm and grounding, unmistakably him. My cousin by blood but my brother by heart.
"I missed you," he whispered near my ear, a little laugh tucked beneath his words.
"I hate you." I pulled back and playfully smacked his arm, making him chuckle as he rubbed the spot where I hit him.
Before we could say anything else, Ms. Jennie, the coordinator, called my name, reminding me that the pastor had arrived at the venue.
I drew in a deep breath, trying to calm the wild rhythm of my heart. But Kuya Liam must have seen right through me. He stepped closer, gazing at me with his soft eyes with the edge in his expression melting into something quiet and almost gentle.
"You good?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.
I managed a shaky nod. "Yeah... I'm good."
Without another word, he offered his arm, and I clung to it as he led me out to the waiting car.
The ride to the venue was longer than I wanted it to be. The quiet hum of the engine gave my mind too much room to wander, and Uncle Lucian's parting words echoed over and over in my head. Wasted away, or dead in a tragic car crash. He wanted me to know that outside of this arranged marriage, I had no protection. I looked out the window, watching the city blur past, realizing this church was my execution style or my sanctuary. There was no in-between.
As we pulled up to the grand, flower-lined entrance, he suddenly grabbed my hand. His grip is firm yet gentle, like he is trying to anchor me in place.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice low and serious. His eyes, usually so playful, were now filled with worry. I haven't told him about the deal, and I intended to keep it that way, but he had always been able to read me like an open book. "Just say the word, and I'll help you run away."
If only it were that simple. If the world were small enough to hide in, I would have vanished years ago.
I stared at him, his words hanging in the air like a lifeline. I could see the silent plea in his eyes, the faintest flicker of hope that I'd grab his hand and let him be the older brother he wanted to be.
I let out a shaky breath and forced a smile. "I know what you're thinking Kuya. Tito didn't force me into this, no one did. It's my own decision... I'm marrying Isaac."
He studied my face for a long intense moment, as if searching for any trace of doubt and reason to stop me.
"Look... this is my wedding. You should be happy for me," I added. Trying to sound confident, even though my heart felt like it was about to shatter. "And Kuya... I love him." I forced a smile once again.
A smile of resignation tugged at his lips, but he didn't argue. He just sighed and slipped his hand from mine, as he leaned back in his seat.
"Alright." he finally said.
For a moment, the car fell into an uneasy silence.
"Shall we?" I asked.
He paused for a single moment, before pushing the door open. He stepped out and offered me his hand. I took it, feeling his warmth seep into my cold, trembling fingers as I stepped out into the bright, unforgiving sunlight: spotlighting every breath, every doubt, every thought I'd buried beneath the lace and vows.
I wasn't ready, but I have to be.
As we slowly walked toward the towering wooden doors, the bridal party was already buzzing. Cassie, Kuya Liam's high school sweetheart, rushed over from the entrance. Her makeup was perfect, but her face was already wet with tears.
"I can't believe our little princess is getting married," she whispered, pulling me into a tight, trembling hug. She squeezed me close, her voice cracking. "If only your parents and Tita Isabel could see you today. They would be so proud."
Her words hit me like a physical blow.
Parents. Tita Isabel. Hearing Cassie speak of them with such genuine love immediately collided with the way Uncle Lucian had used their deaths as a threat just thirty minutes ago. The contrast was suffocating. I couldn't speak. I just held Cassie back, gripping her shoulders, terrified that if I opened my mouth to reply, the facade would completely break right here on the steps.
Sensing my stiffness, Liam gently stepped in, placing a hand on Cassie's waist to ease her back. He didn't say a word to me, but he offered his arm again, a silent, steady shield.
Together, we walked toward the entrance. The heavy doors of the hall creaked open slowly and dramatically at the same time, and the music echoed out like a wave crashing over us.
With each step down the aisle, the weight of my decision pressed harder against my chest. The entire hall, a sea of flowers and crystal chandeliers, felt like a dream or maybe... a beautiful nightmare.
Everyone was here, family, friends, relatives I barely remembered, media, and business tycoons in suits. All eyes were on me. Watching. Judging. Wondering how it feels to be the woman marrying the most sought-after bachelor of the town and the sole heir of one of the most powerful bloodlines.
Isaac Aziel Ramirez.
"Please take care of Lillian." Cassie whispered, her knuckles white against her damp handkerchief. Liam clamped onto Isaac's shoulder, the fabric of his tuxedo tensing beneath a grip that felt less like a greeting and more like an unspoken warning.
"I will, Ms. Fernandez," Isaac answered politely.
He extended his arm as I drew closer, a quiet gesture of formality, yet it felt so much more. I slipped my trembling hand onto it, and for a moment... our eyes met.
The unspoken contracts, the secrets, and the terror of what we were both signing in ink collided in a single, suffocating glance.
"Please, all be seated."
The sudden hush that swept over the hall felt like a heavy, pressing silence leaving only the soft clicks of camera shutters and the frantic, pounding rhythm of my heart. Until my eyes found Tito Lucian, his gaze felt like a hand closing around my neck: a silent, undisguised threat delivered across the sacred distance.
My pulse raced and each beat echoed in my ears. Instinctively, I tightened my grip on Isaac's arm as my fingers trembled against his sleeve.
A moment later, his warm hand gently enveloped mine, steadying my cold and shaking fingers. I glanced up at him startled, only to find him looking straight ahead with his calm and unreadable expression.
"Friends, family, and loved ones, we are united in this space to celebrate the beginning of a sacred journey for Lillian Imara Atienza and Isaac Aziel Ramirez..." The pastor's words amplified, immediately commanding the attention of everyone present.
Isaac leaned in slightly; his voice was low but clear enough for me to hear. "Smile, everyone is watching," he whispered, as the words left his lips, the sharp line of his jaw softened. His mouth curved into a flawless, dimpled smile that perfectly mimicked real affection. The sudden, calculated warmth of it sent a jarring shock through my chest. If I didn't know the exact terms of our legal contract, I would have sworn those dark eyes held something resembling devotion.
"Lillian, please place the ring on Isaac's finger and repeat after me." The pastor's prompt snapped the threads of my scattered thoughts.
My hand shook as I reached out. My fingertips brushed against the cool, heavy platinum resting on the velvet cushion.
I lifted the band, the sharp edge of my own thumb digging into the crescent cuts in my palm to keep myself from passing out. I looked down at Isaac's hand. It was broad, tanned, and perfectly still. His knuckles didn't flinch under the weight of a thousand drilling eyes.
I slid the heavy ring over his knuckle.
"I... Lillian Imara Atienza, take you, Isaac Aziel Ramirez, to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love..." My voice sounded distant, hollowed out by the acoustics of the high stone arches.
Every word felt like glass in my throat.
"...I will trust you and honor you. Whatever may come, I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, I promise to faithfully love you today, tomorrow, and forever. 'Til death do us part."
A few rows back, the cold, warning stare of Uncle Lucian's eyes locked onto mine, slicing through the haze of the altar. A reminder. A threat.
I forced my chin up, my gaze locking back onto the dark silk of Isaac's tie. If this bloodless exchange was the only shield that could keep me from being broken completely, if this contract was the only wall thick enough to keep Uncle Lucian out, I would say these hollow words a thousand times over.
"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
My breath was caught.
Isaac turned to face me, and in that instant, the noise of the crowd vanished. His eyes locked with mine, deep and unreadable, and for a moment, I couldn't move, nor could I think. There was something in his gaze I couldn't quite name, something that made my pulse stutter and my knees weaken.
He stepped closer, slowly, like the space between us was sacred. His hand reached up to my veil, and he paused.
"Can I?" his voice was steady, but I could feel it: the quiet storm beneath his calm.
I nodded, unable to find words. I lifted my arms, wrapping them around his neck like instinct, needing something to hold onto, needing him to anchor me.
He wrapped a solid, unyielding arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest. His breath hit my lips—warm, patient, and completely controlled.
He kissed me.
Not one born of passion, but slow and deliberate. A kiss meant only to be seen.
The room erupted in applause.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you... Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez!"
And just like that...
My fate was sealed.