My father's words kept repeating in my head as I rushed toward the road to stop another taxi.
"Your sister is missing."
If I hadn't seen Noelle with my own eyes less than twenty minutes ago, I would have believed she was in danger. But I knew exactly where she had been and who she had been with. She wasn't missing. She had chosen to disappear.
The ride home felt longer than it should have. I kept looking at my phone, hoping Noelle would suddenly call and tell everyone the truth. She never did.
When the taxi stopped in front of the Hartwell mansion, I saw several expensive cars parked outside. The front door was wide open, and people were walking in and out of the house. Even before I stepped inside, I could hear raised voices.
The whole house was in chaos.
I walked into the living room and found my parents surrounded by family friends, staff members, and a few people I recognized from our company. Everyone looked worried. My father was pacing across the room while my mother sat on the sofa with tears running down her face.
The moment Dad saw me, he hurried over.
"Where have you been?" he demanded.
"I..." My voice caught for a second. "I went to see Nolan."
His face changed immediately.
"Did you find him?"
"Yes."
"Where is he?"
I looked at both of my parents before answering.
"He's with Noelle."
The room became quiet.
My mother slowly stood up.
"What did you just say?"
"I saw them together." I tried to keep my voice steady even though my heart still hurt. "They're together, Mom. They've been seeing each other behind everyone's back."
Dad frowned.
"That's impossible."
"It's true."
I looked from one parent to the other.
"I went to surprise Nolan at a restaurant tonight. He was there with Noelle in one of the private rooms. I heard everything."
Mom shook her head before I could finish.
"No."
"They kissed."
"Enough."
"They said they're leaving together before the wedding."
"I said enough!" Mom shouted.
Her voice echoed through the room, making everyone stare at us.
She pointed a finger at me, her face full of anger.
"I know you're upset because your sister is getting married before you, but don't make up such horrible lies."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Lies?"
"I'm telling you what I saw."
Dad folded his arms across his chest.
"Brenna, this isn't the time for jealousy."
I stared at him.
Jealousy?
"You think I'm jealous?"
"What else are we supposed to think?" Mom asked sharply. "Noelle has been preparing for this wedding for months."
I let out a bitter laugh.
"Preparing? She told Nolan she never wanted to marry Ronan Princeton."
Neither of them answered.
Instead, they exchanged a quick look.
It was clear they still didn't believe me.
I reached into my bag and took out my phone.
"I can call the restaurant."
Dad shook his head.
"We don't need proof."
"Then why won't you listen to me?"
"Because your sister would never do something so foolish."
I lowered my phone.
A few minutes ago, I had watched Noelle plan to run away with my boyfriend.
Now my own parents were acting as though I was the problem.
Before I could speak again, one of Dad's business partners rushed into the room.
His face looked pale.
"Mr. Hartwell, we've been trying to contact the Princeton family."
Dad turned toward him.
"What happened?"
"They've already started asking questions."
My father's shoulders became stiff.
"The guests have begun arriving at the hotel."
Another man stepped forward.
"The investors are nervous."
My father rubbed his forehead.
"They're asking what will happen if the wedding doesn't go ahead."
No one spoke for a few seconds.
The silence inside the room felt heavier than before.
I finally understood why everyone looked so frightened.
This wasn't only about Noelle.
It was about the business deal.
If the wedding failed, the agreement between the Hartwell family and the Princeton family would fall apart. Without that agreement, my father's company would lose the support it desperately needed.
One investor spoke quietly.
"If this marriage is cancelled, several people may withdraw their investments."
Dad closed his eyes.
"I understand."
"No," the man continued. "I don't think you do. If the Princeton family walks away, others will follow."
The room fell silent again.
For the first time in my life, I saw fear in my father's eyes.
The staff members quietly left the room, leaving only close family behind.
I turned toward my parents again.
"I'm telling the truth."
Mom sat down heavily on the sofa.
"Then where is she?"
"She left with Nolan."
"Do you know where?"
I slowly shook my head.
"They only said they were leaving before the wedding."
Dad picked up his phone and tried calling Noelle again.
The call went unanswered.
He tried Nolan.
That call also went unanswered. His hand slowly dropped to his side. The confidence on his face disappeared.
Just then, a soft voice spoke from behind us.
"Brenna." I turned around.
Grandma Sylvia stood near the doorway with one hand resting on her walking stick. She looked weak, and I could tell she had been crying.
I quickly walked over to help her. "You shouldn't be standing."
She smiled gently. "I wanted to see you." I held her arm as we walked to the sofa.
She reached for my hand and squeezed it softly.
"I know you're hurting."
The kindness in her voice almost made me cry.
She was the only person in this house who looked at me instead of blaming me.
"I'm sorry, Grandma."
"You have nothing to be sorry for."
She looked into my eyes. "You've always had a good heart."
I lowered my head. "I don't know what to do."
She gently brushed my hand with hers.
"Whatever happens today, don't let anyone force you into giving up your future."
Before I could answer, Dad suddenly spoke.
"My future is already gone." We all turned toward him. He stood in the middle of the room with tired eyes.
"The company will collapse."
Mom covered her mouth.
"The banks won't wait."
"The investors won't wait."
"The Princeton family certainly won't wait."
He looked at me.
Then, to my complete shock, my father slowly dropped to his knees in front of me.
"Dad!". I hurried toward him,"What are you doing?"
He looked up at me, and I had never seen him look so broken.
"Brenna...", His voice shook.
"I'm begging you." I stared at him, unable to understand what he meant.
He grabbed my hands.
"Please...", "Save this family."
Before I could ask what he was talking about, Mom disappeared upstairs without saying a word.
A minute later, she came back down carrying a large white garment bag.
She stopped in front of me.
Without saying anything, she unzipped the bag and pulled out Noelle's wedding dress.
Then she placed it into my trembling hands.
I looked at the dress. Then I looked at her. Her next words made my blood run cold.
"You're getting married today."
