Chapter 9: 9.

I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers fidgeting with the fabric of the pale pink bridesmaid dress Evelyn had picked out for me. It clung in all the wrong places, making me feel more like an ornament than a person.

The neckline was too low, the skirt too tight, and the material, too shiny for my taste. But Evelyn had insisted, and as always, I hadn’t been given much of a choice.

I sighed, tying my hair back into a loose bun and slipping on the heels that matched this ridiculous dress.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed Cecily. She picked up on the second ring, her voice groggy. “What’s up, sunshine? It’s barely morning.”

“Are you coming to the wedding?” I asked, glancing at the clock. “You’ve got time to throw something on.”

“Girl, nah,” Cecily replied with a dramatic laugh.

“I’d rather have a cocktail with Nicolas than sit through that fake wedding. Evelyn marrying a guy who can barely spell commitment? No thanks.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, her words cutting through my nerves like a warm breeze. “I wish I were you right now.”

“You wish you were me?” Cecily’s tone turned playful. “Please. You’re better than me, Vera. You’ve got guts. You’re actually going.”

“Yeah, to endure hours of chaos and drama,” I muttered. “Pray for me.”

She laughed again. “You’ve got this. Call me if you need an escape route.”

I hung up and grabbed my keys, feeling a lump form in my throat. Cecily didn’t have to deal with Evelyn, with my parents, or with the never-ending expectation to fix every mess my sister left behind.

The drive to the Grand Hall was uneventful, the quiet hum of the car the only thing keeping me from spiraling into my usual thoughts.

When I pulled into the parking lot, the building loomed before me, its elegant arches and pristine white facade standing in stark contrast to the knot of dread tightening in my stomach.

Stepping inside, I had to admit the decorations were beautiful. The space was bathed in soft golden light, with flowers cascading down every pillar and fairy lights twinkling overhead.

For a brief moment, I forgot the weight on my shoulders. Then I saw the groom—Daniel—standing near the altar, looking polished and smug as ever.

The bride, however, was missing.

“Vera!” My parents’ voices broke through the noise of the room. I turned to see them rushing toward me, their faces red and flustered.

“What now?” I asked, folding my arms. “My life? My soul? What do you need this time?”

“Don’t joke, Vera!” my mother snapped, her voice trembling. “We need your help. It’s Evelyn. She—”

Before she could finish, I spotted Evelyn sitting in the corner, her makeup smudged and tears streaming down her face. My stomach sank.

“Why are you crying now?” I asked, walking over to her. “You’ve got everything you ever wanted. God bless you, Evelyn. None of this even matters anymore.”

“It’s all because of you!” she screamed, her voice breaking. Her accusation stung, but I masked it with anger.

“Stop blaming your mess on me,” I snapped.

“I don’t make choices like you do. I don’t wreck people’s lives. I don’t make mistakes. I’m my own person, Evelyn.”

Before I could walk away, my father grabbed my arm.

“Vera, you need to listen to us. We’re in trouble.”

“What now?” I asked, glaring at him. “What do you expect me to do? Marry Daniel or something?”

My mother’s face turned pale, and my father avoided my gaze. That’s when it hit me.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” I said, my voice icy. “You want me to marry him? After everything?”

“Please, Vera,” my mother begged. “He’s threatening to ruin us. He’ll bankrupt the company if you don’t step in. Evelyn can’t do this. She won’t. She denied.”

I turned to Evelyn, whose tear-streaked face was full of regret, but no words of apology came. I clenched my fists, anger bubbling up inside me.

“Oh, so when Evelyn screws up, it’s always me who has to clean up the mess. Always me who has to give up everything for her, right?”

“Vera—” my father started, but I cut him off.

“No!” I yelled, my voice echoing in the grand hall. “I am sick of this. Sick of being the backup plan. Sick of being your last resort. Why don’t you ever expect Evelyn to take responsibility for once?”

Daniel stepped forward, his cold eyes locking onto mine. “It’s simple, Vera,” he said, his voice calm yet menacing. “Marry me, and your parents won’t lose everything. Refuse, and they’ll be bankrupt by morning.”

The weight of his threat crushed me. My parents looked desperate, Evelyn couldn’t even meet my eyes, and Daniel stood there, knowing he held all the power.

I wanted to fight, to scream, to tell him to go to hell. But the image of my parents losing everything stopped me. With tears burning in my eyes, I nodded, my voice barely a whisper.

“Fine. I’ll marry you.”

The words felt like ash in my mouth, but I said them anyway.

I closed my eyes, letting Cecily's words sink in from last night. I wasn’t sure about everything, but in that moment, I finally felt like I had done something for myself. For once, I didn’t feel like the fool.

And now, I am actually and fool.