Chapter 4 The Girl In The Mirror
1137 Words
Kiara's Pov
One hour, just one hour. That was all the time I had to prepare to become someone’s wife. I stood in the middle of the huge bedroom, staring at everything around me like it might suddenly explain what I was supposed to do.
Of course it didn’t.
“This is insane,” I whispered again.
I think I had said that like ten times already. A soft knock came on the door before I could panic again.
“Miss Kiara?”
I turned quickly. A woman stepped inside, followed by two others carrying boxes.
“Good morning,” she said with a polite smile. “We’re here to help you get ready.”
“Get ready?” I repeated.
“Yes. Mr. Blackwood gave instructions.”
They set the boxes down on the bed and opened them. Inside were dresses not just dresses, wedding dresses.
White, beautiful, expensive looking dresses that looked like they belonged in a movie.
I walked closer slowly.
“Are these… for me?”
“Yes,” the woman said. “You’ll choose one.”
I reached out and touched one of the dresses.
“This is crazy,” I mumbled again.
“Do you need help choosing?” one of them asked.
“Yes,” I said quickly. “Please.”
Because honestly my brain had stopped working. They held up different dresses for me. One was big and puffy, another was simple and elegant.
“They’re all beautiful,” I said.
“That’s why you have to pick,” the woman said gently.
I took a deep breath and looked at them properly this time. If I was really doing this. If I was really getting married today. I didn’t want to look like I was being forced. I didn’t want to look weak. I wanted to look strong even if I didn’t feel it.
“That one,” I said, pointing to a simple but fitted dress with soft lace and a long veil.
The woman smiled. “Good choice.”
They helped me change into the dress. It fit perfectly. Like it was made just for me, which was kind of scary. Because that meant Ethan really planned everything.
They did my hair, makeup. Everything. I just sat there, letting them do whatever they needed to do. It felt like I was watching someone else’s life. Not mine.
“Done,” the woman said after a while.
I blinked.
“Already?”
“Yes. Go look.”
She pointed toward the large mirror.
My heart started beating faster as I walked toward it.
Like I was afraid of what I might see. Then I stopped in front of it. And I froze. The girl staring back at me didn’t feel like me. She looked beautiful.
Her hair was styled neatly, her makeup soft but perfect, and the dress hugged her in a way that made her look elegant and confident. Like she belonged in a place like this. Like she wasn’t the same girl who got humiliated last night.
“Is that… me?” I whispered.
“Yes,” the woman said kindly.
I kept staring.
Tr
“You look beautiful” she added.
That made something shift inside my chest.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
They smiled and began packing up their things.
“We’ll leave you now,” the woman said. “Mr. Blackwood will be waiting.”
The door closed behind them. And suddenly. It was just me again. Me and the mirror. I stared at my reflection a little longer. Then I spoke softly.
“Get it together, Kiara.”
My reflection stared back at me.
Braver than I felt.
“You’re not that girl anymore,” I continued. “The one who cried in front of everyone.”
I swallowed.
I could pretend long enough to become someone else. Someone stronger. Someone they wouldn’t laugh at. Someone they couldn’t break. I took a deep breath. Then another.
“Okay,” I said.
I turned away from the mirror before I could change my mind. I walked to the door. My hand paused on the handle.
This was it.
Once I stepped out there was no going back.
I was really going to marry him. Ethan Blackwood. A man I barely knew. A man who scared me a little. And confused me a lot. But also a man who saved me last night.
I opened the door. The hallway was quiet. I walked slowly, my heels making soft sounds against the floor.
Each step felt heavier than the last. At the end of the hallway, I saw him.
Ethan.
He stood near the stairs, already dressed in a black suit. Of course he looked perfect again. Like always. His back was to me at first. Then he turned and his eyes landed on me.
For a moment he didn’t say anything he just looked at me. And something in his expression changed. Just slightly. But I noticed.
“You’re late,” he said finally.
I blinked.
“That’s what you’re going to say?” I asked.
His lips almost curved.
Almost.
“It’s true.”
I rolled my eyes a little.
“Wow. You really don’t know how to give compliments.”
“I don’t give them often.”
“Well, maybe you should start.”
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Calm.
Confident.
“You look…” he paused.
Like he was choosing the words carefully.
“Appropriate.”
I stared at him.
“Appropriate?”
“Yes.”
I crossed my arms.
“That’s the best you can do?”
“Yes.”
I sighed.
“Unbelievable.”
But for some reason…
I wasn’t as annoyed as I should have been.
Because the way he looked at me earlier…
That said more than his words.
Even if he wouldn’t admit it.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
No.
Not even a little bit.
But I nodded anyway.
“Yes.”
Because what else could I say?
He held out his hand.
I looked at it.
Then at him.
Then back at his hand.
This felt… big.
Like one of those moments you see in movies.
Where everything changes.
I hesitated for just a second.
Then I placed my hand in his.
His grip was firm.
Warm.
Steady.
And somehow…
That made me feel a little less nervous.
“Let’s go,” he said.
And just like that…
We started walking.
Toward a future I didn’t understand.
Toward a life I didn’t choose.
Toward a marriage that wasn’t real…
But somehow felt like it might become something more.
And deep down…
I had a strange feeling.
That the girl I saw in the mirror…
Was going to need to be strong.
Because something told me…
This story was only getting started.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD