CHAPTER 3
1123 Words
Arielle stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the simple black dress she’d chosen for Mrs. Holt’s funeral. Her hands trembled slightly.
Her grandmother hovered behind her, worry carved into her face.
“Are you sure about this, Arielle?”
Arielle nodded slowly. “Mm.”
“You know… you don’t have to rush anything. There’s no ne—”
“Grandma,” Arielle cut in gently, placing a hand on her arm. “Don’t worry. I’ve made up my mind.”
Her grandmother exhaled, unconvinced.
Arielle picked up her purse. She had traveled here to her grandmother’s old house because she needed space to clear her head.
After everything… after what Mrs. Holt asked… she had decided.
“She would marry Kieran.”
Even if only to honor the old woman’s last wish.
She only hoped and prayed that things would unfold for the better.
Outside, Arielle hailed a cab. The moment she settled into the back seat, her phone rang.
It was Lila calling.
“Arielle, are you okay? Where are you? Let me come pick you up—”
“I’m fine,” Arielle interrupted softly. “I’ll be home soon.”
Lila paused, then hung up.
Arielle leaned back against the leather seat, breathing deeply.
She had to tell Lila the truth.
Arielle couldn’t leave without telling her.
Lila had been more than a friend, she had been a family to her.
But first… the funeral.
After an hour’s drive, they reached a tall sign that read Willow Crest Cemetery.
The driver talked about how only the wealthiest were buried here, but Arielle barely listened. Her mind was elsewhere.
Arielle paid him and followed the path the guards directed her to.
As she approached, outlines of figures became clearer—men in black suits, expensive coats, a quiet gathering that reeked of wealth and grief.
Strangely… no paparazzi.
Why hasn’t the media reported any of this?
A top actress, a beloved philanthropist… and there’s no news about it.
“Just silence?”
Maybe it was Mrs. Holt’s wish, Arielle thought
Arielle slipped into the crowd quietly, trying not to draw attention.
Arielle's eyes found him almost instantly.
Kieran Holt.
Standing alone in a black Italian suit, sharp as ice. The kind of presence that sucked the air out of a room, even a cemetery.
Two men stood beside him. She guessed they were close friends.
Nearby, the old Nana—their grandmother was held by Karen—Kieran’s younger brother.
Amelia—His sister stood a short distance away barely glanced at her.
The priest began speaking, and Arielle’s chest tightened, as some vivid memories appeared in her mind. Arielle remembered when she was young and her mother was being buried.
This scene just brought back a familiar feeling.
When it was time, Arielle stepped forward, placed Mrs. Holt’s favorite flower on the grave, and whispered something only the wind could carry.
Arielle turns to leave but wants to greet Nana when her name cuts through the air sharply.
“Arielle.” Her step faltered a bit
Arielle would recognize that voice anywhere.
It was Kieran's voice.
Arielle turned slowly, meeting his eyes for a split second before looking down.
“The marriage,” he said quietly, his expression unreadable. “Are you still… interested?”
Her heartbeat stumbled.
Before Arielle could gather words, he added, “You don’t have to say yes if you don’t want it.”
Arielle inhaled shakily.
“I’m in,” she said finally, lifting her gaze to his.
Kieran studied her face for a moment, then gave a short nod.
“I’ll text you the location. Where we’ll meet next.”
Kieran turned and walked away with the two men following him.
Arielle watched him leave, her heart pounding, her future shifting right under her feet.
Arielle approached Nana, who was being led out by Kieran’s younger brother, Karen.
She gently squeezed the old woman’s hand.
Nana managed a faint smile.
“Have you seen Kieran?” she asked knowingly.
Arielle nodded, fully aware of what the old woman was hinting at.
With one last glance at Karen, Arielle stepped back and began walking away.
Her life… had just changed.
***
Lila embraced her so tightly to an extent that Arielle could barely breathe, Arielle managed to wriggle free.
“Are you okay?” Lila grabbed her face, looking intensely into her eyes.
“I’m okay,” Arielle said after a brief silence.
“I want to tell you something.”
She swallowed. “Lila… I’m getting married soon.”
Lila froze. Her mouth parted slowly in shock as Arielle gently rubbed her arm.
“How? You don’t even have a boyfriend—” Lila’s voice turned high in pitch.
“You just need to trust me. Nobody is forcing me. This is my decision.”
Arielle’s voice trembled at the end.
Lila stood and began pacing restlessly. Then she knelt in front of Arielle, cupping her cheeks.
“Did I offend you? Did I do something wrong?
“I—I’m sorry.” Lila stuttered
But this isn’t the way to deal with anything, Arielle as tears slipped down Lila's face.
“It’s not about you. It’s just… complicated.” Arielle’s voice came out in a plea. “But please… calm down and let me explain.”
Lila slumped beside her, waiting for her to drop the bombshell.
Arielle inhaled slowly
“I’m getting married to Kieran Holt.”
There was a long, stunned silence, then Lila burst out laughing.
“What? Arielle, that’s impossible.
“Kieran Holt?”
Arielle nodded.
That’s practically impossible. Lila shouted
To prove it, Arielle brought out the picture she had hidden for months. Picture she had taken when she was invited to the Holtwood Estate for dinner.
At least this will make Lila believe and stop staring at her as if she had gone nuts.
Lila stared long and hard at the picture, her expression
shifting as she finally began to believe her.
Arielle explained everything carefully, leaving out the parts she wasn’t ready to talk about. That was the story about her mother. She's not ready to visit that old scar.
When she finished, Lila took her hand gently.
“You don’t have to do this. Not if you don’t want to.”
The same thing Kieran had said.
But Arielle already knew her choice.
“I want it,” Arielle whispered. “I want to marry him.”
Lila broke, pulling her into a tight and tearful embrace.
Arielle hugged her back, her own tears slipping silently.
Lila had always been the big sister she never had.
“And now… She was about to step into the world she had not prepared for”
- Writer
