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It was the day. The day my life was to change drastically. The day I was going to be tied to someone- to someone who I didn't really want to be with.

I couldn't believe it was my wedding in just eleven hours. It was as if after eleven hours my life would end. I couldn't stop my heart from sinking deeper and deeper. It was that feeling when you get to know you have only eleven hours to live after which you'll die. That feeling, that thought, it made me to actually want to die.

Dying was a thousand times better than the life I had ahead. Days earlier, I thought I'd cry rivers on my wedding day. But at that time no single tear left my eye. My eyes did not even dampened. I could witness the hustle bustle in my house as I roamed around. I had stopped praying. Because I knew they weren't going to be answered.

The events leading to that day had weakened my faith in God. In fact it had shattered my faith in God. And I was not sure if I would even have those shattered pieces of faith left with me after the marriage.

My eyes were heavy, tired, but sleep wouldn't come. My back ached, my feet hurt, yet I wanted to not sit down, I wanted to pain my own self more. I wanted to torture myself. My brain was unable to think properly.

Because I had accepted myself as someone worthlessly unwanted. For me it was my death that night. Because I was tired; tired of expecting things from people and then getting my expectations crushed. If it was about me, it wouldn't have mattered much. Because I had been going through this torture all my life.

But then I felt like my heart had become weak. And it was the first time I experienced what heart-ache actually was. It was worst than being hit in school, it was way hurtful than physical pain.

And this morning, my heart warned to giveup. I permitted it to give up and it did. It did beat, pumped blood, did whatever all hearts do but it was not alive. It was just surviving. My mind had already lost all hopes days back, but my heart always built those hopes again.

The heart had had too much. It refused to let let any hopes enter inside it. It pushed away each and every good thought that made it work nicely. Strolling around the house, I couldn't find any place that provided peace. It was as if I couldn't find peace anywhere.

And just as I entered my balcony, like always, I started to feel peaceful. Standing inside I stared into the wide sky, my eyes dropping. I didn't want to sleep, yet, the heaviness of eyes didn't fade. No matter how much I resisted sitting, I sat down, as if my feet had finally given up.

"Oh my God! What is going to happen now?!" Rebecca's screams entered into my ear.

"How would I know Rebecca?! I didn't think she would do something like that! Did she ever talk about it with you?!" Mom yelled.

"You are her Mom! She must talk stuff like that with you not me!"

"Yes I'm her mother but she's close to you! And why the hell are you shouting at me?!" I opened my eyes despite of my unwillingness because I wanted to know what was happening.

"What the hell happened?" Richard roared, his voice sending shivers throughout my body. I didn't know Richard was around.

"Sophia ran away!" That sentence of Lia's made made jolt up in my position.

"God damnit!" He roared. "How could she fucking run?! She will regret it!"

"What will you do huh? What more tortures will you cause to that poor child?! It is because of you that she ran away! It's your fault. You drove her into doing that! At last when I get to know her better, when she starts calling me mom, when I feel like she loves me, she ran away! Just because of you! Why are you in our lives, huh? Do you know anything except for causing destruction?!" Mom cried out.

I stood up, registering there was about to be a wild fight in my garden. "Victoria don't start this! You couldn't even take care of a girl! Guards! How did-"

"Tell me Richard! When should I start it, huh!? When should I? I am so proud of Sophia that she ran away! I'm so happy inside! She was brave enough to run for her life! She was brave enough to not give her life into hands of someone who doesn't care for her, unlike me!"

I'm strong mom. I can run. But I should not. A stronger force is holding me up. It is stronger than me. It's called love. I can't run because love is stopping me.

"Shut the hell up Victoria! I don't have time for your shit right now! I don't want-"

"What will you do? Slap me? Why don't you kill me at once?! It wouldn't be a bother because this money of yours will save you! So why don't kill me huh? I don't have my daughter anyways! And because of you, I lost everyone I loved! Now kill me! Richard why don't you-" Dad had slapped her very harsh, silencing her.

"Sophia I told you not to do it! You'll regret it. You'll regret it," with saying that to himself, he turned around and ran outside the house.

"I am here Richard! Don't you dare do anything to anyone I love! Not my mom, not my friends, not Rebecca, not Carter!" I had never been so out of breath earlier in my life without even moving a step. Every head turned in my direction including Richard's.

"Don't you dare touch anyone I love. Don't you dare! I'll bear everything but if you cause pain to my family, I won't stay quiet!" I shouted at him. After a brief glance he took upon me, he turned his head to the opposite direction and let out a laugh. "I knew you wouldn't run. I knew it." I couldn't keep myself from balling my hands with hatred.

"Oh God, please, let a child die, but never give it such a sperm-donor," I tried to calm my breathing as I watched everyone run inside the house. Richard chose to stay out of the house which I was very glad of. I didn't want him anywhere near me.

Sighing, I walked inside my room to be greeted by Mom, Rebecca, Lia and Maddy. Melissa followed them, breathless. "Where were you?" Rebecca questioned.

I rubbed my head lightly, embarrassed. "I... kinda... dozed off in the balcony..."

"Why do you always doze off in the balcony huh?" Rebecca's demanding voice sounded.

"Since how many nights have you not been getting proper sleep?" Melissa was the next to ask. "I mean look at the bags under your eyes. And your skin... it's pale. Sophia you need to take care of yourself," I heard concern in her voice and nodded at her with a smile.

My eyes caught Mom, who had been staring at the ground for longer than she should. "Mom, what happened?" She looked up, her eyes full of tears.

"Sophia, run away," her soft voice sounded.

"Mom?"

"Yes, back your bag and run away. I can't see you suffer like this. Run away, Sophia," she walked closer to me taking my hand in hers as she pressed it. I shook my head at her, wiping her tears before I wrapped my hands around her.

"Mom, you know I cannot run. If I could I would have long time ago. Mom, I'm tied. I don't want to risk his life.... "

"And really, I have accepted my fate, I have accepted him already. I have accepted the new life. And it hurts. But the feeling of sacrificing my desires, my life for someone else's is the best feeling I have ever had. It's the best feeling."

"Even better than love?" Lia asked. I nodded at her question.

"Even better than love. This feeling overpowers all the other feelings. Because I know I'm sacrificing myself for my love, for my Carter," I answered, a smile making its way on my face.

"My beautiful girl," Rebecca kissed my forehead, joining in with the hug. Lia ran towards us, hugging me from back.

"What, am I supposed to do that too?" Maddy let out but we ignored her. Yet she wrapped her hands around us.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but we don't have time, Sophia... "

And then the chaos started. Lia and Maddy became useless the moment their eyes landed on my wedding dress. It was as if they had eaten a bird accidentally. Mom kept freaking out because she wanted to look good and her jewelry had been ruined by the jeweller. Rebecca was busy telling the staff in the house about the marriage.

Melissa continued with her work on my hair. She did a high bun sort of thing on my head which wasn't helping the headache. But it looked pretty and I didn't want to make all her efforts go to waste. Although, I would have preferred open hair upon the high bun, I did not say.

"You don't like it, do you?"

"I love it. Melissa, it is really pretty.... It is just that my head hurts a little and this bun is not helping...." I tried not to sound rude as i suggested.

"Yeah, I too feel like it is giving a very sharp look and it does not suit with your innocent face... I mean to say that If I let your hair down, they will suit better," just as she completed her sentence, she rushed to open my hair.

I stared in my lap, remembering all the moments I spent with Carter. I smiled realizing the fact that sacrificing my life for Carter was worth it. My eyes moved towards Lia and Maddy who were both still staring at my dress.

"Guys, what has gotten into the both of you?"

"Sophia, this is from the latest bridal collection of Dior!" Both shouted simultaneously.

"Yeah, so?"

"Is it really?" Melissa popped in.

"Yes, oh my God you're so lucky girl! I wish I was in your place!" Maddy squealed clapping her hand. I laughed internally. Oh how much I wish that too.

When Melissa got done with the makeup, she turned me around and clapped. Now you can look.

I looked good. She had done my hair in loose curls. My eyes looked natural except for the eyelashes which seemed extra-long. There was a light pink tint on my cheeks which made them appear rosy. The pinkish-brown shade that she used for my lipstick went perfectly with my outfit.

"I look pretty," I turned towards Lia and Maddy.

"Pretty is an understatement girl!" This came from Maddy. Surprising, I know. "Yes Sophie. You look absolutely gorgeous."

"Look girls I bought something to eat!" Rebecca sang as she entered the room with a tray in her hands. "Come on, leave everything and– Sophia?" She stopped in her tracks staring at me. "You look lovely, sweetheart... come here," she hugged me, tears filling her eyes.

"God has a good plan for you, my baby, trust me."

"It doesn't seem like it Rebecca..." I whispered, slow enough for her to not hear.

"You girls! Why are you both not ready yet? Are you gonna sit here the whole night?! You'll give an evil eye to my daughter!"

"Look at her dress Rebecca, it's so..." Lia argued back thinking for a word. "Dreamy," Maddy finished. They both nodded.

"She's a bride you dummies! Now if you're done gushing over her dress, wear yours because we're getting late! And don't forget to have something. Specially You Sophie, you've not had anything since morning," with that she left the room.

Lia and Maddy followed Rebecca out of my room. Melissa was clearing things up as she helped me wear my jewelry. My eyes landed on the tray Rebecca had kept on the table. They stayed on the plate containing strawberries.

My eyes that refused to let any tears fall, resembled a pool now. Just a fruit had managed to bring flood to a barren land. Although I had no desire to eat anything, I couldn't resist strawberries.

I found Melissa leaving the room and couldn't be more thankful about it. If I was crying, it shouldn't be in front of people. Taking one of the strawberries in my hand, I plopped it inside my mouth, trying to not ruin my makeup.

A tear had managed to make its way down my face. Just as I was about to take another one, I felt my room's door opening. My breathing got caught when I met with the sight of a well-dressed Carter standing before me. "C-c-c-carter?"

"We're back to the stammering I see. Back to zero, I see," he said, as a reply to my shocked state.

"W-w-what are you doing here?" I couldn't help but question when he closed the door behind him. "How d-d-did you come here? I m-mean did not anybody see?"

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine. "I wanted to see you for the last time before you become someone else's possession," he held both of my hands in his while speaking.

"Beautiful can not describe how you look right now, Sparkle," his eyes followed my body after examining my face. "I don't have words, seriously." He reached out to touch my cheek making me lose any ounce of sanity left in me.

Why is he doing this? Why is he being so nice? I don't deserve it.

"You're crying," he stated. Not being able to look at him in the eyes, I moved my eyes downwards. He started laughing, "it's your wedding and you're crying? I don't understand it really Sophia. I mean you're going to be married to Lucas! One of the richest people of New York. A bright future is waiting for you and you cry? How ungrateful of you."

Carter does not mean all he's saying. He doesn't mean it. I know. He knows I'm not after money. He knows I don't look for money in a bright future. Carter, your words are like daggers to my heart. Please don't do it. Please Carter.

"Carter, you shouldn't be here."

"And you shouldn't be crying, yet you are. Why?" I felt like fainting. I couldn't answer all the questions he was throwing at me. "Tell me Sophia, I need to know the reason you're crying."

"Carter, I'm not feeling good. P-please leave me alone..." things around me moved and I couldn't stand properly.

"Hey, hey, hey," Carter caught me before my body touched the ground. His calculating eyes interrogated my face for clues, for answers which I tried to hide. The dizzy feeling returned but this time with a sharp pain in my head. "I- Carter... I want to sit." He nodded and let me down on the sofa.

"What happened?" Concern was clear in his voice.

I am dying inside Carter. That's what happened. And you being here is not helping.

"I don't know, I just feel a little dizzy."

"Should I call someone?"

"No, Carter. Just leave, okay? I'll see you at the wedding." I couldn't open my eyes because then he would see the tears.

"Lucas is a lucky guy. Just praying for him that he doesn't get ditched in the end." I closed my eyes, a sob escaping my lips at the tone he used.

Don't get bad Sophie. You deserve it. You deserve his hatred.

"I'll leave. Take care, Sparkle." He turned around to leave making my heart crush at his pained expression. "Oh, you were having strawberries?" He stopped in his track. One side of his mouth turned upwards as he kept staring at the plate.

"Yeah, Rebecca brought, do you want?" He pressed his lips then with a tight smile, shook his head.

"You should have them. You've turned weak. I only like them when I'm happy, so... some other time..." with that he left my room. He rejected strawberries.

"Oh God!" I cried out loud. "I don't want to marry Lucas! Please help me. I'll literally die of this pain!" Tears didn't remain in my eyes. I couldn't control them. "I lied earlier. I still have some hope. I still believe in you and your miracles. But if I get married to Lucas I don't know how will I keep believing in that."

"All my strengths are gone! I'm sad! I'll die, God. If you think it is a good plan for me, at least show me a sign! Show me how it is good! My strengths ran out but your strengths never end. I need a miracle, God, I need a miracle! I need help," my voice was loud and clear. I couldn't keep it in myself anymore.

The door to my room opened again revealing all dressed-up Lia and Maddy. "Sophia?" They both shouted in unison.

"You're crying?" Maddy shouted. "You'll ruin all your makeup! Where's Melissa?"

"Shut up Maddy, she's in pain can't you see?! What happened Sophie? Are you alright?" Lia hugged me.

"I feel like I'll die any moment now, Lia." Hearing me, Lia moved away. "Don't tell me you tried something!"

"I didn't Lia. I'll die because I'm f pain. I feel like my death is near. My heart keeps warning me. It can't work anymore....."

"Hey, calm down okay? I think you need to drink something energizing. You'll feel good. Just calm down, okay?"

"I don't want to marry Lucas, Lia. I don't want to. I can't live like that."

"Then don't." Maddy sounded like it was the easiest thing to do.

"Maddy you don't understand-"

"I understand. If you don't marry your father will hurt Carter, right? You know what? I can go in your place..." she said, looking determined.

"Please say that you're joking," Lia replied, her eyebrows rising.

"Obviously I'm joking. But seriously Sophia, I get your fiancé if you're leaving him."

"This girl is crazy or what?" Lia asked.

"What? Lucas is hot!" Lia laughed loudly at that and small laugh escaped my lips too.

"But he wouldn't like to marry someone with a bald head."

"Don't challenge me, you little blonde," Maddy's eyes turned into slits as she folded her arms.

"I challenge you, you little bald-head," Lia shot back.

"Watch me marry him then."

Am I going crazy or are they?

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