Troubled Love

The plate slipped and came crashing down as I jolted back to reality. “Shoot,” I muttered, trying to gather the broken pieces. A slow clap echoed from the doorway. I turned to see Rita leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk twisting on her lips—the one she always wore like armor. "I guess you don't know the worth of fine china that's worth good money. What did I expect from little Miss Cinderella who can't afford a proper meal?" Distracted, I hurriedly reached for a large chuck of the broken pieces when i felt a sting. My eyes dropped and I swallowed hard, slightly frozen at blood oozing out from a huge gash on my palm. One day, Rita, you’ll eat those words, I thought, burning with anger, but I didn’t say it out loud. I inhaled deeply, calming myself. "And what the hell are you doing in the kitchen? Leave the cooking area for the house staff before we have to change fine china every time the c**k crows." I straightened, brushing my hands off on my apron. "I was just making something for the twins." "Then stop trying," you better take care of that hand,I’m not about to be a murder witness,Rita lashed back as she hissed and walked away’’. I sighed,staring at the broken pieces still scattered across the floor. “Ma'am,you shouldn't be here, I would be in trouble if Mr Grey found out”,said mama lulu as she helped me do away with the plate. "Your hand’s bleeding!” Mama Lulu rushed over with a first aid kit, cleaned the wound with spirit,it stung a bit, she then wrapped it up with a band-aid "Thanks," I muttered. "I didn’t want to bother you. I just wanted to make something quick." "You aren’t bothering me, child. It’s my duty, okay?" "Okay… but let’s do the dishes together since I’m already here. And I insist," I said, rolling up my sleeves. "You already have a cut on your palm. I can't let you keep going." "It's just a small cut, and I can still help dry the dishes with a towel." Mama Lulu smiled but didn’t argue. As we worked together, she tried to engage me in small talk, but my mind drifted away to these crazy pass few weeks that changed my life forever. Everything had happened so fast. Ethan’s betrayal. Mr. Grey’s offer. The impossible choice I had to make. And now, here I was, standing on the edge of a life I never wanted. Smile. The makeup artist’s voice pulled me back to the present. "Just some finishing touches and you’re all done." I forced a smile, though it felt unnatural. "Such a beautiful bride," she murmured. The words felt hollow.I smiled uncomfortably. Suddenly, the door creaked open.I looked up to see Rachel walking in. "A moment with the bride, please," she said. I felt a bit of discomfort in my chest. "Momma," I said with a shaken voice and teary eyes. She held my hand, her touch warm and comforting. "But I’m scared. What if life there is much worse?" "You don’t know yet till you give it a chance. And the Greys look like a nice family. They’ll take care of you, little flower. And I’m here to support you, okay? You can do this.” She wiped a tear sliding down my cheek “And stop with the waterwork, you will ruin the lovely makeup”. I laughed nervously, okay ma'am. Rachel planted a kiss on my forehead and gently placed the veil over my face. I took a deep breath; this was it. I lifted the ball gown skirt as it swept across the floor. It was Grey's pick. I had always hated ball gowns, but this was something else. It felt magical, like I had stepped into a fairy tale. Rachel took my hand, steadied me, and guided me through the door. I wished this walk could go on forever, as if each step could push back time and delay the inevitable. But too soon, we stepped outside. The Grey family's driver waited by the limousine, looking serious and hard to read. When he saw us, he opened the door right away. I got in quickly, with Rachel right behind me. I rushed to the side of the window and rested my palm on the cold glass, watching the city view. Slowly, we approached the church; reality hit me at once,heavy and hard. If only this was all a dream. When we pulled up, the sight of the church left me speechless. Everything was perfectly done,flowers everywhere, decorations that spoke of money and elegance. It looked like a perfect wedding. Just not mine. Rachel squeezed my hand as we walked to the church steps. I stopped at the big doors, my veil over my face, and suddenly everything went quiet. The silence felt louder than a crowd. I stood there, frozen. This wasn’t the first time I’d ended up in this exact place. A sharp memory hit me out of nowhere. I remembered the day I showed up at Ethan’s place wearing a plain dress, full of hope. I looked through the window, but the house looked empty,spotless, like no one lived there anymore. My chest tightened with panic. Had Ethan moved away? I stood there frozen for a minute, then I rushed toward the door, banging on it with both fists. “Ethan!” I yelled, calling out his name over and over. No response. I ran to the back door—it was locked shut. My breath came in shallow gasps. “Ethan has moved.” I turned around slowly, my heart already sinking, to find Mrs. Grace standing behind me. “I thought you two were really close... You weren’t informed?” she asked gently. "No," I said quietly, my voice shaking as my eyes filled with tears. "He can’t leave me. He loves me too much." Maybe he just went to get something. Maybe he’s coming back. That had to be it. But even as I said it, I felt my knees give way. I sank to the floor, with my back against the cold wood, tears falling freely. Then I felt a soft touch on my hand. It brought me back. "Lisa!" Rachel called out. Rachel’s voice steadied me. “Ready?” I nodded. Something about this felt off. I held the bouquet tighter, my hands filled with sweat and shaking. This time, the door opened. The guests were waiting. And the man standing by the altar wasn’t Ethan. Rachel took my hand as we stepped into the church. Her hand was warm, and it calmed me a bit. The place was packed with faces I barely recognized. All the guests were from Mr. Grey's side, complete strangers. I sat down as the ceremony started, barely paying attention. Then my eyes landed on Grey, the man I was about to marry. Our eyes met. For a split second, I saw something in his eyes; I couldn’t tell what it was. I looked away immediately, my heart beating fast. This wasn’t a dream; it was happening. Once the sermon ended, it was time for the actual wedding. Rachel held my hand tightly while walking me down the aisle. She wasn’t just my mom but had been playing the role of a dad,something he could never do. Her support was the only thing keeping me steady as I walked slowly toward what lay ahead. At the altar, Mr. Grey was waiting. Finally, I stood face to face with Mr. Grey. His gaze finally met mine. I couldn’t help but admire his appearance, though he looked serious. He looked like an Egyptian god, built like a fitness trainer, with his deep blue eyes and his perfectly sculpted face. The smell of his cologne screamed old money. I noticed a small smirk on his face. He knew I was staring. I snapped myself out of it; this wasn’t the time to be impressed. Then the priest asked, “Lucas Grey, do you take Wilson Lisa to be your wife?” Without missing a beat, Grey said, “Yes,” his voice strong and sure. The priest turned to me. “Wilson Lisa, do you take Lucas Grey to be your husband?” I froze. My heart was racing. And before I could stop myself, I said, “No.” A gasp echoed through the church. People whispered. Grey’s smirk vanished. He was furious, his eyes cold and intense. Rachel held my hand tighter, like she was telling me to fix it. But I couldn’t take the words back. I turned a little, aware that everyone was staring. My mouth felt dry, but I said it anyway. “I can’t do it.” I tried speaking out to express how I felt, but the words failed to come out. I was scared. This decision was not mine to make. My life… it wasn’t just mine anymore; my mom and kids depended on me. That pressure crushed me. “Lisa,” the priest said again. I took a deep breath and replied, “Yes, I do,” my voice barely audible. “You may kiss the bride.” I froze. I wasn’t ready for that part.