Forced marriage

The Next Day

The backyard of Carlos's mansion, usually reserved for private business parties, had been transformed into a makeshift wedding altar. A white carpet stretched from the back doors of the mansion to a small platform where an anxious old priest stood fidgeting.

White roses and orchids were arranged neatly along the arch of the altar, while golden ribbons fluttered in the breeze. Rows of chairs lined both sides, occupied by well-dressed men and a few women dressed in maid-like attire. Soft classical instrumental music flowed from hidden speakers nestled in flowering shrubs.

Athena didn't walk in. She was dragged!

Two huge men in black suits held her arms tightly on either side, pulling her down the stone steps from the mansion. Her body was draped in an ivory-white wedding gown far too big for her, the hem trailing over the damp grass. The dress was stunning adorned with delicate lace and faintly shimmering sequins. But not even its beauty could mask Athena's pale face, her sleep-deprived, bruised eyes, or the mess of black hair that hung beneath her white veil.

Athena struggled violently. Her feet kicked at the air and ground. Her voice was hoarse from too much screaming.

"I don't want this! Let me go! I'm not marrying him!!"

A few women turned uncomfortably; others forced a light laugh, as if this were all some rehearsed performance they were already familiar with.

"Let me go, damn it! I'm not marrying that bastard!"

She stared daggers at Carlos. He stood at the altar, dressed in a pristine white tuxedo that only highlighted the cold, frozen smile on his face. Behind him, the old priest in dark robes looked confused, gripping his wedding book with trembling hands.

Athena was finally brought to the altar. Her body was shoved forward roughly, stumbling into Carlos's reach. He caught her arm, his hand cold as ice on her upper arm.

"See?" he murmured with a thorny smile. "You look beautiful today, darling."

Athena turned quickly to the priest. "Please… call this off. I do not consent. I'm being forced!"

The priest shook his head quickly and looked at Carlos. "Sir… I cannot perform this ceremony if the bride is unwilling. It's against the law."

Carlos chuckled softly, stepping closer to the priest. His voice stayed calm, but there was fire hidden deep in his eyes.

"If you want to walk away from here in one piece, just perform the ceremony."

A bulky man in the back row opened his suit jacket just enough to reveal a gun tucked into his waistband. The priest instantly froze.

Athena took a step back, trying to flee, but Carlos yanked her back in place.

"Shut up, Miss Kingsleigh. This will all be over in ten minutes. All you have to do is say 'I do.'"

Tears streamed down Athena's cheeks. She scanned the crowd, silently begging for a miracle. But no one moved. None of them looked concerned. They were probably all Carlos's hired men.

Her body locked up, trembling, her head bowed. The memory of Asher and Lucy flooded her mind.

Brakkk!!

The loud clang of the iron gates being forced open echoed through the garden. Every head turned at once.

From the gates, Lucy burst in, breath ragged, wearing a long black coat and gray jeans. Her red hair was tied up high, and her eyes burned with fury.

"Stop this wedding!" she shouted.

And right behind her, Asher appeared.

He moved without a word, each step steady. He wore only a worn black jacket and a white shirt frayed at the sleeves, but his gaze was razor-sharp like a blade drawn from its sheath. In his hand… a weathered brown leather bag, its straps nearly torn.

"Stop!" Lucy yelled. "Stop all of this!"

Carlos narrowed his eyes, while Athena's eyes widened, her breath quickening.

"Asher…?" she whispered, her voice catching.

Lucy stormed toward the altar, throwing the leather bag to the ground, where it burst open, revealing a stack of cash not a fortune, but enough.

"Athena doesn't have to marry you, Carlos. I'm here to pay off her debt!" she said firmly.

The air turned still.

Carlos stared at the bag of money… then laughed. A deep, echoing laugh that sounded like the gates of hell slowly creaking open.

"Money?" he said quietly, sneering at Lucy. "You think I care about money now?"

Lucy frowned, her face paling. "But… wasn't that the reason for all of this? I'm here to settle the debt! Look, it's enough, even more than enough!"

Carlos raised an eyebrow, stepping forward. His shoes struck the ground with deliberate weight as he stood over the leather bag.

"I'm no longer interested in the money," he muttered darkly. "You're too late."

"What do you mean…?" Lucy asked, her voice trembling, eyes darting to the terrified Athena.

Carlos looked at Athena, then back at Lucy. "What I want now… is Athena."

Lucy stiffened. "You can't..."

"I don't give a damn what you think!" Carlos snapped suddenly, his voice cutting the air, making several guests look away in fear. He kicked the leather bag, sending bills flying across the grass like autumn leaves.

"This money means nothing! She's going to marry me!" he shouted. "There's no reason to stop it! No one's going to stop it!"

"Noo!"

Athena screamed, then ran toward Asher with all her strength.

But the towering guard behind her lunged forward, grabbing both her arms and yanking her back. She fought, kicked, writhed but her body was too weak, and the guard's grip was iron.

"Asher!!" she cried. Her eyes pleaded. Her whole body trembled. Her face soaked with tears. "I don't want this,I don't want to marry that bastard!"

Asher stepped forward, his fists clenched. His jaw was set like stone. His face tightened with pain and fury, especially when he saw Athena being dragged like a wild animal ready to be caged.

"Carlos!" Lucy shouted, positioning herself between Carlos and the altar, chest heaving with emotion. "You can't do this! She has the money now! You have no right to treat a woman like this!"

Carlos laughed again. But this time, the laugh was lower… deranged… almost pitiful.

"I can," he said calmly. "I always can."

His eyes slid toward Asher. His gaze narrowed, filled with disdain.

"And that street rat," he added, pointing, "is never going to stop me. Look at him. He's not even a real person."

Asher said nothing, But his eyes burned.

Athena looked at him, breathless, as if his presence alone kept her tethered to reality in this waking nightmare.

Carlos turned back to the priest, jerking his chin up.

"Let's continue!"

The priest didn't move.

Meanwhile, the large guard dragged Athena back toward the altar again, while more of Carlos's men grabbed Lucy, forcing her down into a chair among the guests.

"You're here. You'll witness your friend's wedding!"

Asher stood still, eyes scanning the area, as if looking for a crack in the madness, a weakness in Carlos's control.