Chapter 1 The wedding day

CHAPTER 1: The Wedding Day

Amara stared blankly at the ceiling, the fan spinning above her head like her thoughts-restless and fast. The silence in the room was loud. Her phone buzzed beside her pillow. Another message from her mother.

> "Come home. We need to talk."

She didn't know why, but those six words filled her chest with dread.

Dragging herself out of bed, she slipped into her slippers and tied her scarf lazily. She wasn't in the mood to go out, but her mother's message didn't sound like something she could ignore.

Minutes later, Amara stood in her parents' sitting room, hands folded across her chest. Her father cleared his throat.

"We've made a decision," he said slowly. "You're getting married."

Amara's world froze. "What?" she whispered.

Her mother stepped in. "It's settled. You'll be marrying Mr. Obasi's son. The family has helped us a lot. This is the best way to repay them."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "I don't even know him."

"You'll get to know him," her father said calmly.

Amara blinked back tears, realizing this wasn't a discussion-it was a conclusion. Her life was about to change forever... and she had no say in it.