Chapter 3 LUCY POV

It's been a week since my last encounter with William and since I came back to my house.

Living with my parents and having to pretend like everything was fine was damn hard.

I couldn't do it, so I left. Only a coward would run, and I don't mind being that coward.

The notes I wrote to him now lay torn on the floor, like my heart. Despite his rejection, I couldn't bring myself to hate him. Honestly, I want to.

He raised my hopes high, treated me like his princess, called me his doll, only to break me more than anyone else had.

I shouldn't have fallen in love with him. He knew I liked him, yet he pretended. I didn't believe it was impossible between us.

Not once did I see the age gap, nor the status as a problem. Was it really impossible for two people of opposite gender to spend so much together and not feel a thing?

Alone, I sat in the garden. Twirling the glass of wine in my hand. Tears pooled in my eyes as I stared at the sky. My vision blurred.

I thought too highly of William's concern. I thought he cared so much about running away with me to escape the wedding.

The night William turned me down, I had accepted my fate to carry on with the wedding. Why run away alone and be miserable?

Tomorrow is the D-Day, and it's unavoidable. My chest tightened. I bit my lower lip so hard the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

My phone buzzed, and I looked at the screen with tired eyes. The caller was mum. I groaned, looking away.

What does she want? Have they not done enough harm to me? I already agreed with their plan. The least they can do is let me hold on to the trace of sanity and peace I have left.

The buzzing continued for a while and it annoyed the shit out of me. I rolled my eyes and took the phone.

I sighed heavily and cleared my throat before clicking the answer icon, but I remained silent. Well, I didn't have the chance to, because Mrs. Jones blasted my eardrums with questions.

"Where did you throw your phone? I've been worried, I was thinking of coming to your house already," she rasped.

What? Come here? Hell no. Thankfully, I picked up.

"I went shopping but forgot my phone at home," I replied in a low voice.

"Baby, are you okay? You don't sound good," she asked worriedly.

"Yes, mum. I'm okay, just tired from the shopping. It was stressful," I groaned.

"Okay, have you gotten everything..." Her voice faded as I dropped the phone on the side table.

I wasn't in the mood for any rants. After a while, I ended the call. Immediately I did, a terrible migraine hit me.

Groaning, I stood up and headed inside to sleep, at least with the aid of sleeping pills. The moment my head hit the pillow, a peaceful darkness overwhelmed me.

...Next day...

A nightmare jolted me out of sleep, sweat dripping down her face. I prayed that the world should end or time should remain still. My cousins and other strange faces trooped in and out of my room.

Some were busy working on my face, hair and other arranged my dress.

Congratulations came in turns and I nodded, smiling like a cheerful bride that I'm definitely not.

"Gosh, Lucy... Your wedding news is trending all over American," Julian, my cousin, gasped.

"And it has been tagged, the celebrity wedding of the year. You're so lucky, Lucy," Gillian, the twin of Julian, chipped in.

"They both deserve each other." Mum walked in and approached me, "my daughter is getting married, this has always been my wish," she cooed. Her eyes tearing up.

"Don't ruin your makeup mum," I chuckled.

She sniffled and nodded, "I can't help it".

Soon, they engaged in conversations and again I spaced out. My thoughts were centred on one man. The one who doesn't want me.

My gut urged me to call him and he might just change his mind, "give me a moment" I whispered to the makeup artist and she nodded.

Silently, I walked into my bathroom and locked the door. With shaky hands, I dialed his number. It rang for a while, but he didn't answer.

Refusing to give up, I continued to try, but I guess he really doesn't want to have anything to do with me. Since he's rigid, it's high time I stood on business too.

I blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall. Never again. I refuse to ever cry for William.

Speaking about Grey, maybe I'm judging him too early. He might not be as bad as I think. My parents approve of him. As time goes on, I might grow to love him.

That right. I'll embrace this marriage with an open heart.

'Go fuck yourself, William Cannon.'

I opened the door and told the artists to continue with their work. Even though I'm not happy, my mum is. At least someone is happy about the union.

Soon, everyone exited the room, leaving me alone. The room was too quiet, like the world knew something was about to go wrong.

I stood before the mirror. Everything was perfect... my hair, makeup, jewelry, wedding gown. Except mental health.

Reluctantly, my lips stretched into a small smile. Maybe forcing it would help me fit in better.

An hour later, I stood aside the hall, ready to walk down the aisle. I clutched onto my bouquet, my heart racing as I paced back and forth.

Ten minutes. Ten minutes before I said 'I do' to a man that I don't love. Sealing my fate to him.

Soon my dad joined me. "Are you ready baby?" Dad asked and I nodded and flashed him a smile. Linking my arm in his.

"Alright. Let's get my baby girl married," he smirked.

The song started playing. Slow and rhythmic. The wedding march began. And with that, the end of everything, dreamed of.

Right ahead stood Grey, looking bored. Like he'd rather be somewhere else than here.

My palms became sweaty. All eyes were turned to me, and my knees wobbled and then my eyes landed on him. My breath caught.

William sat at the far end. He was clad in a black suit. His eyes locked on someone else... the woman sitting close to my soon-to-be father-in-law. Not me. Never me.

"I love you, William," I said but he didn't flinch.

Yeah, that's right. Get over it, Lucy. He doesn't want you.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and maintained the not so genuine smile. The march ended, and I stood before Grey, ready to exchange vows.

We both said our vows. Each word sounded heavy as it rolled off my tongue, too bitter to swallow too. While Grey said his, like he was sealing a business deal.

Taking my finger, he slid the ring on my finger and the guests clapped and I wore his on him.

It was sealed. I felt like a bird in veil, who has been clipped of it's wings.

"You may now kiss the bride," the officiator announced and Grey pulled me closer and captured my lips in his.

I felt numb as his tongue fought for dominance while I didn't do anything. I felt choked and disgusted.

I broke off the kiss and everyone stood up, cheering and clapping, while my charming smile remained intact.

I smiled so hard that my cheeks hurt. I've mastered the art of pretense so well.