Marriage by choice

Chapter 2

Caroline's pov

The moment I heard Jael’s sobs through the phone, my blood began to boil. I could feel the anger rising in me, like a fire I couldn’t contain. I couldn’t believe he’d done this to her—that spoiled tomato, that arrogant fraud! I’d always been skeptical of him, his charm just a little too polished, his words just a little too smooth. But Jael had been so in love, so deeply entranced by the happiness he brought her. And they had been together for three years—three whole years! He’d truly played his cards right, deceiving her and everyone else who cared about her. But I’d always sensed something was off; I should have done more to protect her.

Of all the people, why did it have to be Jael, my innocent Jael? I was the wild one, the loud one, the protector of our friendship. Jael and I were like night and day, opposites in every way, which was exactly why people often looked surprised when they found out we were best friends. She was the calm, sweet angel, the girl who couldn’t bring herself to kill a spider, while I had no problem throwing tables or plates if someone crossed me. She came from a strict, respectable family where even uttering a curse word was forbidden. I, on the other hand, was raised in a house where loud arguments and slammed doors were just part of everyday life.

With my spare key in hand, I unlocked the door to her one-bedroom apartment and stepped inside, the familiar comfort of her home suddenly feeling cold and lifeless. There she was, lying motionless on the floor, her face hidden in the shadows. My heart dropped. “Jael! Jael!” I called out, rushing to her side, half-worried that something terrible had happened. I crouched beside her, reaching out to touch her shoulder. She stirred, turning her hollow, lifeless eyes toward me before looking away.

“Jael, you can’t let that uncooked bean of a man do this to you,” I said, trying to sound comforting, though I knew my words were clumsy. I’d never had to console someone in her situation before, someone with a broken heart and… a baby on the way. Sympathy wasn’t my strong suit. I wasn’t the shoulder people cried on, but for Jael, I was willing to try anything.

All of a sudden, she stood up, her eyes staring into the distance as if she were seeing something terrible. A wave of dread swept over me. What was she going to do?

She walked slowly over to her standing mirror, stopping to gaze at her own reflection. “What will my family think of me?” she whispered, tracing her fingers along her cheek, the beautiful chestnut skin I’d always admired, wishing mine weren’t so pale in comparison. “They raised me with such care, such attention… and now look at me.”

I watched as her fingers clenched into a fist against her chest. “What example am I setting for my siblings?” Her voice cracked, and tears began to trail down her cheeks. “What about my family’s honor, the reputation they’ve struggled so hard to keep intact?” She began to sob, bending over as if the weight of her shame was too much for her to bear.

“Please, Jael, don’t do this to yourself,” I whispered, a shaky breath escaping me. I had no idea what to say, feeling lost as I watched her spiral into despair.

She turned to me, her eyes hollow and her face as pale as I’d ever seen. “Caro… you know I can’t abort this child, right?” Her voice was so soft, it was as if she were speaking to herself. I nodded, unsure if I was agreeing with her or just comforting her. “You know what that would mean… to abort?” Her voice trembled as if she’d just glimpsed her worst nightmare. “No, no… I can’t be a… I can’t be a killer,” she whispered, the horror evident in her face.

I could see her falling apart right in front of me, her light dimming as the reality of her situation settled over her. I felt helpless, rooted in place, unable to stop her from crumbling.

But then, suddenly, her face changed, her expression shifting from despair to something fierce. “No,” she said, her voice growing stronger. “I won’t let him do this to me.” A determined glint sparked in her eyes, a fire I hadn’t seen before. “I need to get married,” she said with a calm certainty that almost made me question my own sanity. Had she lost her mind?

“Jael…” I started, unsure of what to say. “How is that even possible? You can’t just marry anyone.”

“Why not?” she asked, her face set with a steely resolve. “It’s like killing two birds with one stone.”

“How?” I asked, genuinely curious and confused by her sudden shift from tears to determination. She seemed like a completely different person.

“If I get married soon, my family’s reputation will be saved. I’ll have my child in my husband’s house,” she explained, and I realized with a jolt that she was absolutely right. It made perfect sense.

“Jael, how did you come up with this so quickly?” I exclaimed, astonished. She just smiled, her hand resting protectively on her stomach.

She looked down at her hand, then back up at me, her face softening for a moment. “I know this sounds strange, but I have to do this,” she said, her voice filled with a newfound confidence. My worry returned, and I studied her closely, trying to read her expression.

“Jael… who are you right now?” I asked, half-joking, half-serious, as she looked at me with a mix of exasperation and amusement.

“Seriously, Caroline?” She rolled her eyes, but I could see the tension in her shoulders beginning to ease as she walked toward the kitchen.

“You can’t blame me,” I replied, watching her closely. “The Jael I know wouldn’t marry anyone except for love.” I shook my head, still in disbelief. “And the Jael I know wouldn’t be trying to act strong right now. She’d be crying her eyes out.”

She paused, a glass of water in her hand. “Crying isn’t going to solve anything,” she replied quietly, as if she’d already made her peace with it. She took a long sip of water, then looked at me, her gaze unwavering. “This is the only way out.”

I met her gaze, my chest tight with a mix of pride and worry. “You know, I have a lot of connections…” I said, trailing off as I saw a glint of mischief in her eyes.

A small smirk played at the corner of her lips. “Exactly, Caro. I’ll need those connections,” she said, and I realized she wasn’t backing down. She was ready to face this head-on, to do whatever it took to protect herself and her future child.

At that moment, I knew that Jael wasn’t the innocent girl I’d always seen her as. Before my eyes, she had become a strong, determined woman, ready to take control of her life in a way I had never imagined. And I would be there with her, every step of the way.