9.
1604 Words
NARA
The day passed by in a blur, and Jared hadn’t come back home yet. Today was the day of the family gathering meant to celebrate my ridiculous marriage, and my husband was nowhere to be seen. He hadn’t called or reached out to me or anyone else.
I had busied myself with little chores since the majority of the housework was being done by the staff. The house had been peaceful throughout, and it actually began to feel more like a home and less like a prison.
I was genuinely beginning to enjoy the solitude, and I just wished that this peace would last. Maybe it could even become something frequent with Jared; he would leave the house for days, come back, then leave again.
Staring at my reflection in the mirror as I dressed for the party, I admired the way the gown clung to my body like a second skin. Studded with glittering stones and adorned with delicate embroidery, it was beautiful yet simple.
Jared’s mother handpicked this gown specially for me. She was such a good woman. If only her son were any better, then perhaps this marriage might have been less unbearable.
I glanced at the clock. It struck six on the dot. Taking my clutch purse, I ambled toward the door but inadvertently collided with Jared. He steadied me before I could fall.
He stared at me with the same hollow expression, so unreadable. My lips parted in shock, and my brows drew together in surprise, but no words were spoken.
I genuinely wasn’t expecting to see him today. For some reason, I thought he wouldn’t show up at all.
“You better watch where you’re going,” he said simply, his voice deep and carrying an authority that made me want to shrink in my own skin.
I swallowed my nervousness and nodded when he spoke again. “Wait. We’re to walk to the gathering together.”
Jesus. Really? Couldn’t I just go on my own?
“So you have to wait for me. Go downstairs and wait,” he ordered, leaving no room for protest.
I simply did as I was told, ambling down the stairs slowly and carefully, afraid of ruining my dress by stepping on it or tripping.
The house was quiet and unusually empty. I wondered where all the staff were.
I stood in the living room for what felt like an eternity before Jared’s figure loomed at the staircase. Unlike my careful steps, he walked with an air of authority, as if he owned everything here, including the very air I breathed.
Once he reached the bottom, he strode past me without a word. I rolled my eyes inwardly and followed behind him like a steward.
What is even wrong with this man? He wanted us to arrive together; the least he could do was walk side by side with me as his wife.
Why is he so overbearing?
I exhaled deeply and kept walking behind him in silence, the cool air kissing my skin and the breeze howling softly in my ears as we made our way to the venue. It was within the family’s estate.
The hall was already filled with people when we arrived. Soft classical music played in the background and the sound of chatter and laughter echoed through the large space. White and gold decorations were arranged beautifully around the estate hall, and waiters moved around with trays of drinks and food.
Everything looked perfect.
Jared leaned slightly closer to me as we stepped inside. His hand brushed against my arm, not gently, but firm enough to make his point clear.
“Behave yourself at all times,” he whispered near my ear. “Do not embarrass me.”
His voice was low but commanding.
I swallowed and forced a small smile. “I won’t.”
He didn’t respond. He simply straightened and walked ahead of me, immediately greeted by guests who seemed eager to talk to him. Within seconds, he blended into the crowd as if I had never walked in beside him.
I stood there alone, holding my clutch tightly.
People glanced at me with polite smiles. Some whispered behind their glasses of champagne. Others simply stared too long before looking away.
I felt out of place. Like I had been placed in a world that didn’t belong to me.
“Are you hiding already?”
I turned at the sound of the warm voice and saw a man standing beside me.
Tristan.
“Hi Tristan.” I quietly greeted, a warm smile on my face.
“You’re kind of the star of the night. You should be out there with Jared. Why are you by yourself?”
“Being by myself is much better honestly,” I admitted.
He leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice. “Don’t worry. Nobody is judging you.”
I raised a brow. “They’re not?”
“Oh no,” he said seriously. “They’re judging the decorations. My aunt and mum has been arguing about flower arrangements since 4 p.m.”
I blinked at him.
He continued with a straight face. “Last family event, they both almost fired a planner because the roses were ‘emotionally confusing.’”
I couldn’t help it. A small laugh slipped out.
He smiled like he had achieved something important. “There it is. I was beginning to think Jared married someone who doesn’t laugh.”
“I do laugh,” I said softly.
“Good. Because if you don’t, this family will slowly drain the life out of you. I’m speaking from experience.”
That made me laugh again, this time a little louder. I quickly covered my mouth, suddenly aware of myself.
Tristan shook his head playfully. “See? Much better. You look less like you’re attending your own trial.”
I looked down at my dress, smoothing it nervously. “It feels a little like that.”
“Well,” he said, glancing toward where Jared stood surrounded by guests, “if he starts giving one of his serious speeches about responsibility and legacy, I suggest we both escape to the dessert table.”
“Is that your usual strategy?”
“Absolutely. Chocolate solves most family problems.”
I smiled at him, genuinely this time. For a brief moment, the tightness in my chest eased. Talking to him felt normal. Easy. Nothing forced.
And I found myself wishing, just for a second, that Jared could speak to me like this. Just once.
“Nara.”
The sudden sound of my name in Jared’s voice made my stomach tighten.
He appeared beside us, his expression calm but his eyes cold.
“Tristan,” he acknowledged flatly.
“Cousin,” Tristan replied casually.
Jared didn’t say anything more. He simply reached for my wrist and held it firmly.
“We’re needed,” he said.
Before I could respond, he began leading me away. I looked back at Tristan briefly, but Jared didn’t slow down.
He guided me toward the elevated podium in the center of the hall where his parents were standing. The band slowly lowered their music as we stepped up.
My heart began to race.
Jared’s father took the microphone and cleared his throat.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice echoing through the hall, “thank you for being here tonight. As you all know, our son has recently married.”
There were soft murmurs and smiles around us.
“We would like to formally introduce Nara as our daughter-in-law. Please join us in blessing her union with Jared.”
Applause filled the hall.
Jared’s mother stepped forward and held my hands gently. “Welcome to the family,” she said warmly.
I forced myself to smile at the guests. I felt every pair of eyes on me, examining me, judging me. Jared stood beside me, smiling politely as well, but I could feel the distance between us even while we stood together.
After a few moments, we stepped down.
And just like before, Jared walked away without saying anything.
I remained standing there for a few seconds before deciding to move somewhere quieter. The center of attention was too overwhelming.
As I walked toward the side of the hall, I noticed two women staring at me.
One of them was Aunt Ophelia, Tristan mum.
The other woman looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her at first. She was older, dressed elegantly, but her eyes were fixed on me with something close to disgust.
I felt uneasy.
As I got closer, it suddenly clicked.
The clinic. The white walls. The smell of medicine. The fear I had carried that day.
She was the nurse who had assisted during my abortion years ago when I was with Mike. What was she doing here?
My heart began to pound loudly in my ears.
They were both staring at me as if I had committed a crime.
I forced a small, stiff smile and tried to walk past them, hoping they would say nothing.
“Nara.”
Aunt Ophelia’s voice stopped me.
I turned slowly and walked towards her. “Good evening, Aunt.”
Before I could say anything else, her hand came across my face.
The slap was sharp and loud.
Gasps rose from nearby guests as my head snapped to the side. My cheek burned instantly, and I tasted something metallic in my mouth.
For a moment, everything went quiet around me.
I lifted my head slowly, my eyes stinging, and realized people were staring again.
But this time, there were no smiles.
Only shock.
- Writer
