flowers-roses, lilies, and orchids spilling from their crates. Musicians strummed soft melodies on their instruments, adding to the serene chaos that surrounded h

, it w

t wasn't a celebrat

nfold from the safety of the room. She didn't want to leave. She did

dn't wake up from. A nightma

a knock at

er tense, her mi

sa's voice, "It's time

was as if the life had been drained out of her completely. She was moving throug

ad chosen-the simple one, the only thing she could control. It felt like a betrayal, the very act of p

resa stepped inside, a

f reading the pain in Alina's eyes, but it w

ina replied, her voice

face was one of understanding, but also of resignation. She w

esa said, stepping forward

red the feel of the satin as it settled around her, the pull of the corset tightening at her wa

gh ceiling, and stained glass windows cast colored shadows across the floor. The space was filled with the scent of roses,

erfect. Everythi

ts, adjusting every petal as if it would be their last. Musicians practiced their instruments, filling the air with quiet, mournful n

His expression was solemn, and Alina couldn't help but feel a surge of desperation. She neede

eps unsteady as she walked

ng, "Please, I need to understand. W

He didn't seem surprised by her appearance, as if he had

voice laced with a kind of melancholy wisdom. "This is no

sn't the answer she had been ho

er voice low, her fists clenched at her sides.

le. "I'm not telling you to accept it.

give this. She couldn't forgive what had been do

ay from the priest, her heart raci

collided with a figure in the hallway, a

suit, his face unreadable. He didn't apologize, didn't make any eff

the ceremony," he said quiet

. "You wanted to see me?" she repeated, her voice dripping with ve

ached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a smal

t sick just holding it, the box so small,

was a gold chain with a pendant, a gemstone at its cent

er's bir

h his unreadable gaze,

said quietly. "She wore i

eautiful, but it was also a reminder of everything s

aid, her voice tremblin

mething in his eyes. "She was the on

, a jagged knife cutting deep into her emotions. Her mother-his love. Her mother, t

now taken ever

lt the weight of it-the weight of everything. The control, the manipul

as a

ame of power

a debt. It was about control. It was about marking her

slammed into her,

about money. Th