the arranged husband wants my friend

Mirabel's POV I walked down the aisle with a heavy heart, my footsteps echoing through the grand hall Thompson's parents had rented for our wedding. The sound echoed with me mirroring the sadness in my soul. I glanced around, my eyes searching for an escape route. Thompson stood at the end of the aisle, his expression a mixture of anger. He was staring intently at me from where he was standing. He seemed happy at the same time but it was obvious that my heart did not align with his. I felt very sad knowing that my decision would soon shatter my hopes and dreams. My mind raced higher as I approached him, countless incidents kept replaying in my mind, but my father's words kept echoing in my mind, a Stern warning that rang louder than a bell. "Do not screw this up for me, Mirabel. Our entire future depends on this wedding," It's been long since my family fell from grace to grass, our once thriving business had crumbled into ruins. We were left with nothing but faded memories and huge burdens of debt. The marriage between Thompson and I was our last chance to light up what remained. My father, a man who had lost everything and was desperate to bring his business up had saw Thompson's family as our savior. The ones who could restore our wealth and lighten up our stand in the business market again. I had tried my best to explain to my father how true happiness matters and how it can be bought or sold like property but all my explanations had fallen on deaf ears. As I stood before Thompson, my hand was shaking with my conscience judging me about what I was about to do. Should I sacrifice my true happiness for the sake of my family? Would I be able to bear a marriage that lacked love and caring, trapped in an arranged marriage? Those questions were running through my mind. I looked up at him, my heart filled with sadness, I was struck with the sincerity that he could never allow me to achieve my dreams. At that moment, I had to make a choice. I would not let my family's greediness deprive me of true happiness. I was determined not to be a bridge that would cross my family to wealth. I was determined to find my path even if it meant starting from scratch in another country. I took a deep breath and turned to my father with a huge fire burning in my eyes. I opened my mouth as it carried a newfound resolve. "I will never marry Thompson's father, I can't do this with you," I spat. My father's face filled with anger and disappointment but I stood my ground with my heart pounding heavily. I have to choose my destiny before it is chosen for me by my parents "Mirable! Mirabel!! Say your vows," I saw my bridesmaid tapping my back. I was lost in thoughts, I had thought they were real. I looked at my father again before turning to face Thompson. I wish I could summon that courage. My heart pounded heavily as I stood at the altar ready to say my vows. "Repeat after me; I promise to love you in truth and love," "I promise to love you Thompson in truth and love," I said even though it wasn't from the bottom of my heart. My eyes locked as my heart was filled with anger and unspoken words. As the last words of my vows left my lips, Thompson excused himself claiming he needed a moment in the dressing room. "Excuse me, I need a moment in the dressing room. I'll be back," Thompson said. I looked around the audience, shocked by his uncalled-for behavior. "Why the sudden leave?" "What's happening?" I couldn't comprehend what made him leave immediately. We said our vows especially now that the pastor is about to join us together as husband and wife. I glanced through the podium and saw Cynthia also walking towards the restroom. I was perplexed. I was still curiously glancing around when my eyes suddenly followed my mother, who was quietly slipping away to one corner with my father. "What could have been so urgent that they couldn't wait to get home and they decided now is the best time to discuss it?" I was left standing and confused. I felt a rumble in my stomach and held it right, the feeling of something being amiss kept surrounding me. I couldn't get my mind off how Thompson abandoned me on the altar, Cynthia went towards the restroom, and then my parents. Damn! What is happening? I looked at the audience and gave them a warm smile that everything was going smoothly for they not to suspect anything. My heart was filled with many questions, I couldn't get hold of myself, so I quietly made my way towards the dressing room where Thompson had excused himself. I got to the dressing room and noticed that it was slightly open, I didn't know my worst fears were in there waiting for me. In the dressing room with a dim light to cover the room, stood both Thompson and Cynthia, my best friend. They were both locked in passionate kisses, their lips were pressed against each other as if they were the newly wedded couple in town. It felt like a dagger being hit in my heart at the sight of that, it was as if my world were crumbling around me. I felt a mix of emotions, frustration, happiness, betrayal, anger, and heartbreak all went all over me. I couldn't fathom why I was happy and angry at the same time. I felt like screaming and shouting to confront them immediately but my voice suddenly seemed low. My voice suddenly disappeared. I turned away from the scene when I felt tears form in my eyes, I walked away as I couldn't stand there to watch them.