Marriage.
One of the most significant decisions a person can make: choosing someone to stand beside you, for better or for worse and for the rest of your life.
For some, it's the happiest and most beautiful moment they could ever imagine.
Maybe for them... but not for me.
"Hey princess."
The voice was deep, and familiar, it cuts through the cold dread pooling in my stomach. I spun around, my breath catching.
"Kuya Liam?"
He stood there, looking far too calm for someone who had claimed to be buried under family business in Spain. He had told me it was impossible, that the workload was too heavy. But the lie didn't matter now. A wave of relief washed over me so thick it was almost suffocating. If he hadn't shown up, I would have been forced to take my uncle's arm. The thought of that man's hand on me, guiding me down the aisle as if he owned me, had been a nightmare I couldn't wake from.
"I thought you weren't coming!" I said, half-relieved, half-annoyed.
"Me? Miss your wedding? Not a chance."
He opened his arms wide with that familiar, easy smile tugging at his lips.
Without thinking, I ran into his embrace and we held each other tightly.
His familiar scent was warm and grounding... unmistakably him.
My brother.
"I missed you," he whispered near my ear, a little laugh tucked beneath his words.
"I hate you." I pulled back and playfully smacked his arm, making him chuckle as he rubbed the spot where I hit him.
Before we could say anything else, Ms. Jennie, the coordinator, called my name, reminding me that the pastor has arrived the venue.
I drew in a deep breath, trying to calm the wild rhythm of my heart. But Kuya Liam must have seen right through me. He stepped closer, gazing me with his soft eyes with the edge in his expression melting into something quiet and almost gentle.
"You good?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.
I managed a shaky nod. "Yeah... I'm good."
Without another word, he offered his arm, and I clung to it as he led me out to the waiting car. The ride to the venue felt like a blur with my thoughts in a chaotic swirl of doubt and determination.
As we pulled up to the grand, flower-lined entrance, he suddenly grabbed my hand. His grip is firm yet gentle, like he was trying to anchor me in place.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice was low and serious. His eyes, usually so playful were now filled with worry. I haven't told him about the deal, and I intended to keep it that way, but he had always been able to read me like an open book.
"Just say the word, and I'll help you run away," he added. His jaw clenched slightly.
I stared at him, his words hanging in the air like a lifeline. I could see the silent plea in his eyes, the faintest flicker of hope that I might still change my mind.
I let out a shaky breath and forced a smile. "Tito did not force me Kuya. This is my own decision... I'm marrying Isaac."
He studied my face for a long intense moment, as if searching for any trace of doubt and reason to stop me.
"Look... this is my wedding. You should be happy for me," I added. Trying to sound confident, even though my heart felt like it was about to shatter. "And Kuya... I love him." I forced a smile once again.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips, but he didn't argue. He just sighed and slips his hand from mine, as he leans back in his seat.
"Alright." he finally said, his voice held a trace of resignation. "I just thought... I'll miss my little princess."
For a moment, the car fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the distant sound of violin.
"Shall we?" I asked.
He paused for a single moment, before pushing the door open. He stepped out and offered me his hand. I took it, feeling his warmth seep into my cold, trembling fingers as I stepped out into the bright, unforgiving sunlight: spotlighting every breath, every doubt, every thought I'd buried beneath the lace and vows. I wasn't ready, but I have to be.
As we approached the towering doors draped in flowers too perfect to be real, Cassie, Kuya Liam's highschool sweetheart, rushed over with her face already wet with tears.
"I can't believe our princess is getting married," she whispered, pulling me into a tight and trembling hug. "If only your parents and Tita could see this."
Her words hit harder than I expected.
I couldn't speak. I just held her back, afraid that if I opened my mouth, I'll break.
Then, from the side, Kuya appeared again. He didn't say a word and just gently offered me his arm... like he always had, like he always would.
Together, we walked toward the entrance. The heavy doors of the hall creaked open slowly and dramatically at the same time, the music echoed out like a wave crashing over us.
With each step down the aisle, the weight of my decision pressed harder against my chest. The entire hall, a sea of flowers and crystal chandeliers, felt like a dream or maybe... a beautiful nightmare.
Everyone was here, family, friends, relatives I barely remembered, media and business tycoons in suits. All eyes were on me. Watching. Judging. Wondering how it feels to be the woman marrying the most sought bachelor of town and the sole heir of the country's one of the most powerful bloodlines.
Isaac Aziel Ramirez.
"Please take care of Lillian." Cassie's voice cracked as tears streamed down her cheeks. Kuya placed a hand on Isaac's shoulder, firm and protective, as if handing me over with an unspoken warning.
"I will, Ms. Fernandez." Isaac answered politely.
He extended his arm as I drew closer, a quiet gesture of formality, yet it felt so much more. I slipped my trembling hand onto it, and for a moment... our eyes met.
Just a second... Just one look.
But in that single glance, everything unraveled. The weight of everything we kept unspoken.
"Please, all be seated."
The sudden hush that swept over the hall felt like a heavy, pressing silence. The only sounds I could hear were the soft clicks of camera shutters and the frantic, pounding rhythm of my heart. Until my eyes found Tito Lucian, his gaze felt like a hand closing around my neck: a silent, undisguised threat delivered across the sacred distance.
My pulse raced and each beat echos in my ears. Instinctively, I tightened my grip on Isaac's arm as my fingers trembling against his sleeve.
I felt his gaze on me, and a moment later, his warm hand gently enveloped mine, steadying my cold and shaking fingers. I glanced up at him startled, only to find him looking straight ahead with his calm and unreadable expression.
"Friends, family, and loved ones, we are united in this space to celebrate the beginning of a sacred journey for Lillian Imara Atienza and Isaac Aziel Ramirez..." The pastor's words amplified, immediately commanding the attention of everyone present.
Isaac leaned in slightly; his voice was low but clear enough for me to hear. "Smile, everyone is watching," he whispered, as he curled his lips into a charming and almost affectionate smile. For a split second, I was caught off guard. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that smile was real... that he was truly, deeply in love with me.
From the outside, Isaac seemed like the perfect man: a sought-after bachelor, admired by many for his sharp mind, striking looks, and impeccable manners. A man known not just for his wealth, but for his quiet generosity and composed demeanor.
Yet, despite knowing each other since college, we had never been close. Our conversations had always been brief, and polite exchanges. Our worlds never really overlapping, and that's what still confuses me. Why would someone like him choose someone like me to be his wife? Given that he won't gain anything from me.
"Lillian, please place the ring on Isaac's finger and repeat after me." The pastor's voice broke through my scattered thoughts.
As I reached for the ring, my mind raced, struggling to grasp the reality of this moment. I had dreamed of my wedding day, like most girls do, but never with someone like Isaac...
"I... Lillian Imara Atienza, take you, Isaac Aziel Ramirez, to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love."
A man I never loved...
"I will trust you and honor you. Whatever may come, I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, I promise to faithfully love you today, tomorrow, and forever. 'Til death do us part."
Not even a hint of affection...
"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
My breath was caught.
Isaac turned to face me, and in that instant, the noise of the crowd vanished. His eyes locked with mine, deep and unreadable, and for a moment, I couldn't move, even couldn't think. There was something in his gaze I couldn't quite name, something that made my pulse stutter and my knees weaken.
He stepped closer, slowly, like the space between us was sacred. His hand reached up to my veil, and he paused.
"Can I?" he asked, his voice was steady, but I could feel it: the quiet storm beneath his calm.
I nodded, unable to find words. I lifted my arms, wrapping them around his neck like instinct, needing something to hold onto, needing him to anchor me.
He wrapped his arms around me as his breath brushed my lips. It was warm and patient. Turning my entire world tilted...
He kissed me.
Not one born of passion. But slow and deliberate. A kiss meant to be seen, but with a depth only I could feel.
The room erupted in applause.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you... Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez!"
And just like that...
My fate was sealed.