I stared at the wedding dress in my mother's hands, hoping she would laugh and tell me it was a terrible joke. She didn't laugh. She simply held the dress toward me as if it was the answer to every problem in this house.
"I can't do this," I said, taking a step back. "I'm not marrying a man I've never even spoken to."
My mother frowned as though I had said something unreasonable. "You don't have a choice, Brenna. The wedding starts in a few hours."
"I do have a choice." My voice became firmer than before. "I'm saying no."
Dad quickly stood up and walked toward me. His eyes were red, and the lines on his face seemed deeper than they had that morning. He reached for my arm, but I pulled away before he could touch me.
"Please listen to us," he said.
"No." I shook my head as tears filled my eyes. "I've listened to both of you my whole life. Every time Noelle made a mistake, I was the one asked to understand. Every time she wanted something, I was told to give in because she was my sister. I lost Nolan tonight because of her, and now you want me to clean up another mess she created."
The room became quiet.
Neither of my parents answered immediately.
My mother was the first to speak.
"This isn't about Nolan."
I looked at her in disbelief.
"How can you say that?" I asked. "I just found out that the man I loved has been with my sister all this time. I haven't even had time to think about it, and now you're asking me to marry someone else before the sun comes up."
Her expression softened for only a second before it became cold again.
"You'll forget Nolan."
I let out a bitter laugh.
"You really think that's the problem?"
Dad rubbed both hands over his face before speaking again.
"If this wedding doesn't happen, everything we've worked for will disappear."
I looked at him without saying a word.
"Our company is already struggling," he continued. "The agreement with the Princeton family is the only thing keeping us alive. If Ronan Princeton walks away today, the investors will leave with him."
He looked so tired that I almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
"This isn't my fault," I said quietly. "Noelle made this choice. She should face the consequences."
"She isn't here!" Mom snapped. "You're the only one who can save this family."
I stared at her.
For the first time, I realized she wasn't asking me.
She had already decided.
Before I could answer, Dad's phone started ringing again. He quickly answered the call and walked a few steps away from us. His face became paler with every word he heard.
"I understand," he said in a low voice. "We'll handle it."
He ended the call and slowly looked at us.
"The investors are already asking questions," he said. "Some of them are threatening to pull out if the wedding is delayed."
No one spoke.
Another phone rang.
This time it belonged to my mother.
She answered immediately.
"Yes... we're almost ready."
She forced a smile that disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
"I understand."
When she ended the call, she looked at Dad.
"The wedding planner said the Princeton family has already left for the hotel."
Dad closed his eyes.
"They're expecting the ceremony to begin on time."
The silence inside the room became heavy.
Even the staff members standing near the doorway didn't dare speak.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for me to give them an answer.
A soft cough broke the silence.
I turned around and saw Grandma Sylvia standing near the staircase. She looked weaker than usual, and one of the housekeepers was helping her walk. Even so, she slowly made her way toward us with determination in her eyes.
"Grandma," I said, hurrying to support her. "You should be resting."
She smiled faintly.
"I couldn't stay in bed knowing what they're asking you to do."
I helped her sit down before kneeling beside her chair.
She gently held my hand.
"My child," she said softly, "don't let anyone force you into a life you don't want."
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"They're saying I have no choice."
"You always have a choice."
Before I could answer, Mom sighed impatiently.
"Mother, please don't make this harder."
Grandma looked up at her.
"I'm not making anything harder," she replied calmly. "You are asking Brenna to carry a burden that belongs to Noelle."
"There is no time for this," Mom argued.
"There is always time to do the right thing."
Dad suddenly walked over and stopped in front of Grandma.
"If this wedding doesn't happen, the company will collapse."
Grandma looked at him without fear.
"Then let it collapse."
Those four words stunned everyone.
Mom's eyes widened.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that no company is worth destroying another child's future."
Dad lowered his head.
"The banks will take everything."
"They can."
"We'll lose this house."
"We can find another."
His shoulders shook as he struggled to stay calm.
"You don't understand."
"No, Malcolm," Grandma replied. "You don't understand. Brenna has spent her whole life paying for other people's mistakes. Today you're asking her to pay again."
Dad stood there in silence.
For a moment, I thought he might finally give up.
Instead...
He slowly dropped to his knees in front of me again.
"Brenna." His voice cracked.
"I know I have failed you."
Fresh tears filled my eyes. "I know I've asked too much from you over the years."
He lowered his head. "But this is the only way."
He looked up at me with desperation I had never seen before.
"If this marriage doesn't happen, everything will be gone. Hundreds of people who work for our company will lose their jobs. Families who depend on us will suffer."
His words settled heavily on my heart.
I wanted to tell myself that none of it was my responsibility.
But I couldn't stop thinking about the fear in his eyes.
"I..." My voice trembled. "If I do this..."
Everyone looked at me.
"...then after today, you will never ask me to sacrifice my life for this family again."
Dad nodded immediately.
"I promise."
I searched his face, trying to decide if I could believe him.
Deep down, I wasn't sure.
But I also knew that if I walked away now, I would spend the rest of my life wondering if I could have stopped everything from falling apart.
I slowly closed my eyes.
"...I'll do it."
Mom let out a long breath of relief. Dad buried his face in his hands.
Grandma squeezed my hand, but there was sadness in her eyes instead of happiness.
Half an hour later, I stood alone in the dressing room.
The wedding dress covered my body perfectly, yet every time I looked into the mirror, I felt as though I was staring at someone else.
This wasn't how I had imagined wearing a wedding dress.
Not like this.
Not for another woman's wedding.
I reached into my handbag and pulled out the small silver necklace Nolan had given me on my birthday. I looked at it for a few seconds before placing it inside the drawer beside the mirror.
I didn't want to carry anything that reminded me of him.
A knock came at the door.
Grandma walked in slowly and smiled through her tears. She opened her arms without saying a word.
I rushed into her embrace. For the first time that day I allowed myself to cry.
