Chapter 1 Promises At The Altar

"Do you, David Park, take Avery Downs to be your wife, pledging to stand by her side through all the triumphs and trials of life? Will you cherish her, nurture her dreams, and walk beside her as an equal in every moment of this journey?"

The priest's voice echoed across the picturesque wedding venue, drawing all eyes to the groom. David's gaze locked on Avery, his expression unreadable. The silence that followed felt suffocating, a weight pressing down on everyone as they waited for his response.

David took a deep breath, his voice low but steady.

"I, David Park, wholeheartedly choose Avery Downs as my partner, my friend, and my equal. I vow to cherish her, support her, and-"

Avery's heart hammered in her chest, barely hearing the rest of his words.

"This is ridiculous," she thought. 'We met barely a week ago, and he's giving me a speech about love and commitment?"

Her mind raced, bitterness twisting inside her. She was here, at this altar, not because of love, but because her mother had orchestrated it. An arranged marriage.

David's vow went on, filled with promises she doubted he would even remember a week from now. Avery's eyes flicked briefly over the crowd. There were impressed smiles, nodding heads. She finally found her mother's face, smug and satisfied.

"This is your doing," she thought bitterly.

Her lips curved in a practised smile as David finished his speech. He looked proud, sincere even. But all Avery could think was, "A simple 'I do' would have sufficed." She inhaled sharply, forcing the bitterness down.

'How did I even get here?'

***Two Weeks Earlier***

Avery lay tangled in warm sheets, her fingers brushing through Tiffany's soft hair. The quiet of the room wrapped around them like a cocoon, the aftermath of their lazy morning together. The world outside didn't exist for them here.

"I missed you," Avery whispered, leaning in to kiss Tiffany's bare shoulder. "A whole month without you felt like forever."

Tiffany sighed, rolling over to face her.

"I missed you too. But... there's something we need to talk about." Her voice had a strange edge to it, one that instantly put Avery on alert.

"Go on," Avery said, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Tiffany bit her lip, hesitating.

"I've been struggling, Avie. Business is slow, and the bills are piling up. My siblings' tuition, my mom's medical expenses... It's all too much."

Avery blinked, surprised. Tiffany had never asked her for anything like this before.

"You need money?" she asked, her tone soft but cautious.

Tiffany nodded, eyes filling with unshed tears.

"I hate asking you for this, I really do. But I don't know where else to turn. I'll pay you back, I swear-"

Avery silenced her with a kiss, pulling her close.

"Stop. You don't have to explain yourself. You're my partner, Tiffs. What's mine is yours. Don't ever feel like you need to ask for my help."

Tiffany's breath hitched, her eyes searching Avery's for reassurance. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden..."

"You could never be a burden to me." Avery smiled, stroking her cheek. "Transfer what you need. We'll figure it out together."

Relief washed over Tiffany, her eyes glistening with gratitude. She wrapped her arms around Avery, holding her tight. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Avery smiled, feeling the familiar warmth of love bloom inside her chest. But that warmth would soon be replaced with a chill she hadn't seen coming.

Later that day, her phone buzzed in her pocket while she was grocery shopping. Glancing at the screen, it was her dad calling.

It was unusual for her father to call during the day, but what really caught her attention was the second name flashing beside his-Mom. She frowned.

"What does she want now?"

She didn't answer both calls and a few minutes later, her phone buzzed again, this time with a text from her father:

"I just wanted to check on you. Call me when you can."

Before she could even process that, her mom's message followed: "Be home by 6 PM. We have important matters to discuss."

Avery groaned inwardly, already dreading whatever confrontation her mother had in store for her. Her mother only called for "important matters" when she was plotting something.

"It hasn't been up to three months, has it?"

*

"Why are you late?" Mrs. Downs asked sharply as Avery walked into the dining room.

Avery shrugged. "I'm here now. Isn't that what matters?"

"Good evening, Daddy," she greeted her father, ignoring the rest of her family.

Her father's face lit up. "How are you, my girl?"

"I was fine... until now," Avery sighed, her gaze briefly resting on her mother before turning back to her father.

His smile faltered. "My poor baby. Come, have a seat, eat, and you can leave soon."

Mrs. Downs scoffed. "Of course, she can leave after gracing us with her presence."

"Really?" Robert sneered, unable to resist. "Late and dressed like you rolled out of bed. What are you even wearing?"

Avery glanced down at her black cargo pants, white t-shirt, and black flats.

"Something comfortable. Maybe try it sometime, Robert. Or go knock your head on a wall, whichever works for you."

"More like hiding who you really are," Robert shot back. "You're still a loser who's into girls?"

Avery's heart tensed, but she didn't let it show.

"My daughter's sexuality is none of your business," Mr. Downs snapped. "One more word and you're leaving this table."

"Don't shout at my son!" Mrs. Downs interjected. "Why shouldn't he speak his mind? A girl with another girl... it's unnatural."

Avery cut in before her father could react.

"Dad, let them talk." She turned to her mother. "Now, what do you want? You said there was something important."

Dinner arrived, and Avery noticed her plate-broccoli and cauliflower salad, while the rest of the family had pasta.

"Seriously?" Avery muttered, glancing at her mother. "You know I hate this stuff. What's the game now? Mocking me?"

"Grass for the goat," Robert quipped.

"Robert!" Mr. Downs warned.

"Leave him," Avery said, staring at her mother. "You wanted to talk, so talk."

Mrs. Downs smirked, savoring her control. "One word-Tiffany."

Avery stiffened. "And what about Tiffany?"

"We had a deal. I told you if she proved unworthy, I'd intervene. It hasn't even been three months, but it's clear now."

Avery narrowed her eyes. "What did you do?"

Mrs. Downs signaled to her assistant-and Avery's ex-Simon. Avery's stomach twisted as Simon handed her his phone. On the screen were photos-Tiffany kissing another man.

Avery's heart sank, but she kept her expression cool. "So?"

"So?" Robert mimicked. "Looks like she found what she was missing."

"These mean nothing," Avery said, her voice steely. "That could be her ex for all you know."

Robert barked a laugh. "Please. You're delusional."

Avery stood, her patience gone. "I don't care what you think. I trust Tiffany and your games won't change that."

Mrs. Downs' voice turned cold.

"As per our agreement, Tiffany has failed. Your match has been arranged. Expect my call soon."

***

Back at her house, Avery immediately called Tiffany and asked that they meet at a coffee shop, saying she missed her.

Avery arrived at the coffee shop first, her nerves frayed. She was sipping a drink when Tiffany walked in-wearing the exact same outfit from the photos.

Her heart clenched.