When Jayden thought things couldn't get worse, her father came knocking at her door with six renowned wedding dress designers. He really put his heart into this wedding—how ironic!
He would go to any lengths to ensure it happened. She let out a bitter smile at the thought. She didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or scream at him. But really, how would shouting help?
She'd been shouting for weeks, protesting with all her might, but all it did was make things worse. If anything, her rebellion only fuelled their determination. Now, she decided it was better to put up a front, feigning submission while quietly speeding up her escape plans.
It wasn't that she doubted her parents' love. No, she knew they loved her deeply, but their love had always been suffocating. It wasn't love that nurtured freedom but love that clipped her wings.
Everyone thought her estrangement from them stemmed from her career choices years ago. Even she, at times, had started to believe that. But deep down, she knew the truth. When trust breaks, it's never the same again.
The cracks remain, visible even if you try to piece it back together. The wound her parents inflicted still throbbed, raw and fresh. Time, people said, washes away pain. But why didn't it wash hers?
Her father's arrival had been dramatic, as always. The sleek Maybach rolled into her modest driveway, and the designers followed in an orderly fashion, their expensive tools and portfolios in hand. His presence radiated authority, a silent proclamation that her defiance meant nothing. How she wished this were different.
How she wished this was the right moment, with the right person by her side. Perhaps then, she could forgive her parents, even just a little. But the world didn't deal in "ifs" and "maybes". Reality was what it was, and she had to face it head-on.
She swore she wouldn't give in. Not to this marriage, not to her father's plans. (Oh, how she would regret this resolve in the future, but for now, it was her truth.)
Her father had already set the wheels in motion.The wedding was happening sooner than expected, and preparations were in full swing. She'd gathered that much from his last visit. If she fought back now, she risked pushing him to extreme measures.
He might even skip the ceremony entirely and go straight to registering the marriage. That would be the ultimate trap—one she couldn't allow herself to fall into. No, she had to stay calm, act docile, and lull him into a false sense of victory.
Even if he suspected her plotting, he wouldn't uncover her plans in time. She had already taken precautions, quietly increasing her own security to counter the spies he'd planted around her.
This was a battle of wits, a silent war where both sides waited for the other to make a mistake. Yes, her father had power and experience, but she had something he couldn't take from her: her determination to be free.
If she could find someone powerful enough to back her, someone who could rival her father's influence, she could tip the scales in her favour. One of the designers broke her train of thought.
"Good day, Miss Jayden. We are from JCT Wears, a renowned designer for wedding dresses. We are here to bring out your elegance. First, we'd like to hear your thoughts on your dream dress. Once we align that with the wedding themes, we'll take your measurements. We hope you'll cooperate with us so we can deliver the best service possible."
Jayden stared at them blankly, her icy silence filling the room. If only she had been the type to yell or lash out, she might've told them to leave. But she wasn't, and they didn't deserve her anger anyway. They were just pawns in her father's game. What dream dress? What dream wedding?
Those dreams had died long ago, buried with the happiness she once imagined for herself. Her father, growing impatient, barked, "Forget the formalities! Get to work. If she won't cooperate, tie her down if you must. She's no daughter of mine if she disobeys!"
His words cut deeper than she expected. She couldn't believe how far he'd fallen—how far they both had fallen. The man who once lived to see her smile now sought to bind her in chains.
Still, she kept her composure. She had to endure this. Once it was over, she'd be free. The thought of faking her death crossed her mind. It was extreme, yes, but maybe it was her only way out.
The designers, sensing the tension, kept their heads down and worked quickly. Sketches were drawn, measurements taken, and notes compiled.
They were efficient, polite, and professional, but Jayden remained cold and distant. If they thought she was resigned to her fate, they were wrong. Let them think what they wanted. Soon, she'd prove she wasn't as powerless as they believed.
For now, all she needed was for them to leave so she could focus on the only thing that mattered: her escape. Yes! Her escape – she'll fight for it with all her might. Whether good or bad, she just doesn't want anything to do with the man she chose; she hasn't even married the man yet.
This is the level of control over a 28-year-old lady. Isn't he telling her she can't make a proper decision for herself? Then she'll let him know that he couldn't make it for her; this is her life! And she'll make sure she lives it to her heart's content. To hell with his rules and regulations. Anyway, someone who doesn't care won't care.
She only felt bad for her brother, although she has a conflicted attitude towards her mother, but she doesn't dare to compromise, or else she can just say goodbye to her happiness, forever shackled with a luxurious chain, bound to a cage never to see the light of day!
Yet, that would never be her fate; she'll fight for her own happiness!