Married to my Enemy: Dangerous Flames

There are two types of brides. Those who cry from joy and those who shed tears of sadness. Lily Adams fell into the second category. She had always dreamed of her wedding day, but not like this, and not to this man. Just then, her mom walked in, “Five minutes till showtime!” she said. Sarah Adams then looked at her daughter and frowned, “Your button is loose. And for goodness sake, smile Lily. This is your wedding day, not a funeral.” Lily still maintained her frown. “Mom, I don't think I can—” “Not this again.” Sarah hissed, with a sharp voice. “The Andersons are one of the most influential families in the city. And your father's business needs this alliance. Mike is a great catch too, and you're twenty-seven, you don't exactly have many options." Before Lily could respond, the door swung open again. Naomi, her half-sister, walked in. She wore a bridesmaid dress that hugged her curves a little too seductively for a family wedding. “The groom is getting impatient,” Naomi then wore a suspicious look. “Is everything okay here?” “Of course” Sarah said, “Lily was just getting ready!” She gave Lily a warning smile. “Alright, let's start heading out”, Naomi replied. “The guests are waiting.” As they stepped out, Lily felt like she was walking right into her own doom. The wedding room was filled with hundreds of guests, it was decorated with pink roses and had crystal lights everywhere. It was the kind of wedding that would make headlines. “Smile, Lily,” Naomi whispered to her in a sarcastic manner. “You’re about to marry the man of your dreams.” *The man of my nightmares* Lily thought. Mike Anderson stood at the altar, looking at her with ownership rather than love. He had always been the possessive type, always making sure she knew she belonged to him. But it wasn’t just his arrogance that bothered her—it was the way her family had forced her into this marriage, treating her as just another commodity to be traded for their business gains. Her father finally appeared at the door, his expression was all business as usual. “It's time, Lily. Don't embarrass us,” he said. Lily took a deep breath before walking down the aisle. She felt hundreds of eyes on her but all she could focus on was Mike's expression—not love, but that of satisfaction. Like he had just closed down a successful business deal. When she reached the altar, Mike gripped her elbow real hard. “You look acceptable,” he whispered. “But we'll need to do something about that haircut once we're married.” The minister began the ceremony, “If anyone has a reason why this couple should not be joined together in holy matrimony, speak now or forever remain silent.” The room was filled with silence after he made that statement. *No one's coming to save you,* she realized. *No one but yourself.* "And now, do you, Michael Anderson, take Lillian Adams to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Mike's voice was confident. “I do.” “And do you, Lillian Adams, take Michael Anderson to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Lily's heart sank, she could feel everyone's eyes on her. Her mother stared hard from the front row. Her father looked very tense. And Naomi leaned forward, eager to see what would happen next. Mike squeezed her hand painfully. “Say it,” he urged. Something snapped inside Lily. Twenty-seven years of pleasing others at her own expense, but no, she wouldn't do that anymore. She looked Mike directly in the eyes. "No." Lily muttered. "No, I don't." The guests started mumbling. “Lily,” Mike said, with his face turning red. “What are you doing?” “I'm choosing myself.” Her voice grew stronger. “I don't love you, Mike. I never have. This whole wedding was just a business arrangement and I refuse to be used that way.” She turned to the shocked guests. “I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but there won't be a wedding today.” Mike grabbed her arm. “I won't let you embarass me this way.” “I can’t do this, let me go,” Lily replied, as she pulled her arms free. Mike's expression became sour. “Lily.” Ignoring him, she turned and ran away. Her mom shouted in horror. “Lily, stop!” The whole room went crazy but Lily didn't look back. She lifted her gown and ran out of the hall. She kept running until she reached the entrance door of the building. Mike, her parents and Naomi took off after her. “Lily!” Her father's voice roared from behind her. “Get back here now!” Thoughts kept running into her mind as she ran down the courtyard. Where would she go? What would she do? She had no plan, just the absolute certainty that she couldn't go through with the wedding. “This is ridiculous Lily! You're making a scene!”, Mike yelled in anger, while running after her. “I've already signed the papers, your father and I have deals in progress.” Then a black SUV pulled up in front of her. The passenger window rolled down, revealing a man she'd never seen before — Martin Carter. He had dark hair and wore very expensive suits. “You look like a woman who's in need of an escape,” Martin said, with a calm and friendly voice. Lily took a sharp breath. Mike was already getting closer. Martin then continued, “Get in, you're safe now.” Lily hesitated for a second, her instincts told her to be careful but then she heard Mike's furious voice just a few feet away. “Lily!” Mike yelled. “Don't you dare—” She quickly opened the door and got inside, just as Mike was about to reach them. The moment she shut the door, the car sped off, leaving behind the wedding she never wanted. As she glanced back, she saw Mike's face boiling with anger, her parents watching with disappointment and Naomi who had a wicked smile on her face. Martin watched her with a blank expression. “That was an interesting choice you made there” She turned to him. “But, who are you?” “Your husband, if you want to make this escape permanent,” he said. There was a short silence. Then Martin continued with a sharp smile, “Marry me and I promise you'll never have to go back to that life.” Lily felt a strange sense of relief. She had just traded one arranged marriage for another, but somehow, sitting next to this stranger still felt more like freedom than anything she had known before. The car kept speeding off, taking her towards a future far more dangerous than anything she could ever imagine.