Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The days had blurred together for Nadine since her recovery, each one steeped in a mixture of relief and unease. Her morning coffee had become her solace, a moment of quiet before the storm of decisions and expectations that seemed to loom over her. She was halfway through her cup when her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie.

Noah:

Good morning, Nadine. I wanted to remind you about our wedding discussion. I've already booked a Chinese restaurant for the lunch meeting with our mothers to discuss the wedding preparations. I'll have my driver pick you up.

Nadine stared at the screen, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. Lunch meeting? The words felt heavy, final, like the next step toward a life she hadn't chosen for herself.

She typed back a response, hesitated, then deleted it. Finally, with a sigh, she settled on:

Nadine:

Okay. It's fine. We can go with my driver. Just text me the address.

Her phone buzzed almost immediately with the location. She set it aside and took another sip of her coffee, but the taste had turned bitter.

The next morning, Nadine stood in front of her wardrobe, an array of options laid out before her like a battlefield. She hesitated over every piece of clothing, nothing feeling quite right. Finally, she opted for a dark brown turtleneck sweater paired with a black midi skirt, ankle boots, and an oversized coat. It was understated but presentable. Good enough, she thought, grabbing her bag and heading downstairs.

Sliding into the car, she was met with her mother's sharp, assessing gaze. Nadine's mother, ever poised and immaculate, looked her over with barely concealed disapproval.

"Are you really going to meet your future mother-in-law dressed like that?" her mother said, her voice clipped.

Nadine froze, her hand on the door handle. She didn't reply, the sting of her mother's words sinking in.

"I don't have time to argue with you about this. Just sit back and behave," her mother added, gesturing for the driver to start. Nadine clenched her fists in her lap, staring out the window as they pulled away.

The car ride was a tense, silent affair until her mother finally broke it. "You know your father wasn't thrilled about this arrangement, don't you?"

Nadine turned, startled. Her father had always been the one championing her independence, the one who spoiled her with love and leniency. "What do you mean? He agreed to this, didn't he?"

Her mother sighed, her expression softening. "He did, but it wasn't his choice. Your grandfather insisted. He believes this marriage is what's best for you."

Her grandfather. The figure who loomed large over the family, traditional and unwavering in his beliefs. Nadine felt a chill run down her spine. "Why Noah?" she whispered.

Her mother paused before answering. "Your grandfather sees something in him—a strength, a sense of responsibility. He believes Noah will take care of you."

The words hung heavy in the air. Nadine turned back to the window, watching the city blur past. She wasn't sure if she should feel reassured or trapped.

The restaurant was all warm wood and soft lighting, with a faint aroma of spices in the air. As they stepped inside, a waiter greeted them and led them to a private room.

Noah stood as they entered, his sharp suit accentuating his broad shoulders and composed demeanor. He greeted Nadine's mother first, bowing respectfully, before turning to Nadine with a small, polite smile. She couldn't help but notice how at ease he seemed, like he belonged in this world of expectations and duty. She envied that.

"Nadine," he said softly, holding her gaze for a moment. His voice carried warmth, but she looked away, muttering a brief hello.

As they took their seats, Nadine found herself beside Noah, with their mothers flanking them. The room felt too small, the weight of expectations pressing down on her. She focused on the menu, hoping to avoid any direct conversation.

"I hear the sweet-and-sour dish here is excellent," Noah's mother said, breaking the silence. Her tone was cheerful, almost too cheerful, as if she were trying to mask the tension.

"Yes, we should try that," Nadine's mother replied, her voice clipped but polite.

Noah took charge, signaling the waiter and asking for recommendations. Nadine kept quiet, nodding along when asked but not volunteering any opinions. Even as the dishes arrived, steaming and fragrant, she found herself picking at her food, her appetite absent.

The conversation soon turned to wedding preparations. "A coastal venue would be perfect for a winter wedding," Noah's mother said, her eyes lighting up. "The photos will be stunning."

"Yes, and we'll need to finalize the guest list soon," Nadine's mother added. "What about the dress, Nadine? Have you thought about a style?"

Nadine hesitated, feeling the weight of their expectations. "Not yet," she said quietly. Her mother shot her a disapproving look but said nothing.

Noah leaned slightly toward her, his voice low. "If there's anything you want, let me know. It's your day too."

The sincerity in his tone caught her off guard. For a moment, she glanced at him, seeing not the poised businessman but someone who genuinely seemed to care. She nodded, murmuring, "Thank you."

As the meeting wound down, the mothers continued to chat animatedly, their excitement palpable. Nadine, however, felt the fatigue settling in. The day had drained her more than she realized.

When they finally stood to leave, Noah walked her to the car. "I know this isn't easy for you," he said quietly, his eyes meeting hers. "But... if you need anything, I'm here."

Nadine searched his face for a moment, unsure of what to say. Finally, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

As she settled into the car, watching Noah retreat into the restaurant, she couldn't shake the feeling that, for better or worse, their lives were now irrevocably intertwined. And somewhere deep down, she wondered if that might not be as suffocating as she feared.