"-And I'll pretend not to know you," Sam snapped. "You should do the same. Yes, I'm marrying my fiancé for his money, but once we're married, I'll be a good wife. I'll respect our vows. So, please... GET LOST."
"Get lost?" Chris laughed, incredulous. "You're marrying him for money, and I'm the one who needs to get lost?"
"Ah!" Sam threw her hands in the air, exasperated. "So what if I am? How is that your business?" Her voice trembled with frustration. "His money saves my family, my company, and countless lives. You wouldn't understand what it means to put others first."
She stepped back, eyeing him from head to toe. Her voice turned cold.
"Yes, someone like you would never get it. Adults don't just do what they want. They do what they have to do."
"You shouldn't talk to me like this—"
"Goodbye, Chris."
She turned and walked away. After a few steps, she paused without looking back.
"If you try to blackmail me, I'll make you pay. Let's never meet again."
She descended the stairs, head held high, and slipped into the waiting Bentley. The driver shut the door, and the car pulled away.
She didn't look back.
Chris was a mistake.
She should've been more careful. His return could ruin everything. She clenched her fists in her lap, already bracing herself for what was coming.
[|]
"It's been two weeks... and he still hasn't contacted you, has he?" Natalie asked quietly, a trace of worry in her voice.
Sam didn't answer immediately. She was in front of the vanity, wiping off her makeup, staring at the pale, tense reflection in the mirror. The face staring back looked nothing like her.
"I don't know," she whispered. "I don't know anything, Nat."
"Maybe he's not planning anything," Natalie tried to sound hopeful, picking up a small box. "Here, look...your fiancé's father sent this. Aren't they stunning?"
She opened the box to reveal a dazzling diamond-cut necklace, sparkling under the soft light.
Sam didn't respond. Her eyes had drifted towards the window again. Distant, empty.
For two weeks, she hadn't slept properly. Every time she remembered the look in Chris's eyes that day, a chill ran through her. He hadn't said another word since then, but the silence was worse. It felt like the calm before a storm.
Every phone notification made her flinch. Every footstep outside her door made her hold her breath. It was exhausting.
Only the wedding preparations distracted her from the constant dread.
Thankfully, JESSE, the high-end wedding planner, took over most of the work. He was sharp, efficient, and didn't bother her with too many questions. When he noticed her disinterest, he simply took control of everything. For that, she was grateful.
Today was the rehearsal, but Dave, the groom, hadn't shown up. Catherine found him partying on Instagram in Ibiza. So they rehearsed without him.
By the time they got back to the hotel, Sam was drained. Natalie gently placed the necklace box on the dresser and turned to her friend.
"Sam?"
"Hmm?"
"You don't have to sacrifice yourself for everyone," Natalie's voice softened. "You don't owe anyone this. Can't you see what this is doing to you?"
Sam gave a small smile and touched Natalie's arm.
She stood and walked to the window, letting the breeze wash over her.
"It's a small price, Nat. People live in loveless marriages all the time. I'm just... doing what I must. I have the chance to save lives. Isn't that worth something?"
She turned to face her friend, her expression firm despite the exhaustion in her eyes.
"It really is a small price to pay. And no, I'm not destroying myself. Not yet."
The warm wind wrapped around her like a false comfort, but the knot in her stomach said otherwise. She was trying to convince herself just as much as Natalie.
She had made her choice. Now, she had to see it through.
"So," Natalie said quietly, "you're still not going to look at his picture?"
"No." Sam's answer came without hesitation.
It wouldn't matter anyway, whether he was a prince or a troll. The outcome would be the same.
[|]
BACK TO THE PRESENT...
Was she ready?
Sam asked herself as Dave leaned closer. She shut her eyes tightly, feeling his warm thumb graze her lips. His breath was hot against her skin, and her heart thudded in anticipation.
She waited for the kiss, holding her breath.
Then, he kissed his thumb.
Sam inhaled sharply, shocked. He had placed his hand between them so he wouldn't have to kiss her. Relief washed over her, and then the realization hit.
Dave didn't want to marry her either. He couldn't even bring himself to kiss her.
There might be hope after all.
"You still won't look at me?" Dave whispered against her lips. "Are you this stubborn, Wifey?"
She opened her eyes at his voice, only to be met by complete darkness.
She blinked. Again. Still nothing.
Panic rose. She shook her head, blinking harder. But all she saw was deep, pitch-black darkness.
"Are you okay?" Dave asked, concern creeping into his voice.
If Sam wasn't so terrified, she might've laughed. Instead, she waved her hand in front of her face. Her eyes were open, but she couldn't see.
Nothing.
"What... What's going on?" she whispered, trembling. Her legs felt like jelly.
"What's wrong?" Dave asked again, alarmed.
"I-I-I... can't see... I can't see anything..."
This time, there was no mistaking the worry in his tone. But it was too late for that now.
She felt herself slipping, falling into the black void. The darkness swallowed her whole.
At first, it was terrifying.
Then, she felt a strong arm catch her.
"You're okay now," said a familiar voice. "I'm here."
A peaceful smile touched Sam's lips.
Chris.
He was here. She clung to him, even though she knew it was just a dream. A delusion from a summer long past, a fleeting escape where she had done everything she wanted, said everything she felt... even loved who she truly desired.
His voice wrapped around her like a blanket, calming her.
Whether it was real or not didn't matter. She was holding on to the one thing that made her feel alive, his presence.
Somewhere, far away, a faint voice called her name.
Her father?
If she died... would he be okay? Would everything finally be okay if she just disappeared?
If only he'd listened back then, none of this would've happened...
[|]
Sam opened her eyes slowly.
As her vision adjusted, she realized she was back in her hotel room. She lay in bed, her head pounding. A heavy headache pressed behind her eyes.
She sat up gingerly and noticed Dave standing by the window, looking out.
Maybe, just maybe, she could slip out before he noticed.
Carefully, she slid off the bed and tiptoed to the door. She turned the knob. It opened. She smiled, triumphant.
She pulled the door open and stepped out.
"And where do you think you're sneaking off to like a thief?"