Neti
I stood in front of the mirror, fully ready, yet feeling like a prisoner in silk and lace. The dress was beautifulâflowing, intricate, and breathtakingâbut to me, it was just another chain. My hair had been styled in soft waves, cascading down my back, and my skin practically glowed after the torture I had endured from the stylists. I looked like a goddess, they had said. But I didnât feel like one. I felt like a caged bird.
Just then, the door swung open, and Aliya walked in, her sharp eyes scanning me from head to toe. The stylists were still hovering around, adjusting little details, but one sharp look from her sent them scrambling out of the room.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, she turned to me with a knowing smirk. "So? Ready to be Mrs. Adolph?"
I exhaled, rubbing my temples. "This wedding isnât happening because I want it, Aliya. You know that."
Aliyaâs expression softened just a fraction. "I know," she said quietly. "But itâs happening either way."
I looked her dead in the eye. "Not for long. Iâm escaping after the wedding. When everyone is gone. Iâll hide in that abandoned castle-like mansion behind Adolphâs estate. Itâs the perfect placeâdark, big, and completely forgotten."
Aliya stared at me for a moment before a slow, dangerous grin spread across her face. "You're serious."
"Dead serious," I whispered.
She crossed her arms, tilting her head. "You know what? I should be trying to stop you. But honestly, this is the most entertaining thing Iâve heard all week."
I let out a breath of relief. "So, youâll keep it a secret?"
She lifted a hand as if swearing an oath. "On my life."
I was about to thank her when the door suddenly burst open.
"Why do I feel like Iâm missing something?" Pranavâs voice filled the room.
Aliya and I barely had time to compose ourselves as he strolled in, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. She quickly switched into her teasing mode, flipping her hair dramatically.
"Nothing, nothing," she cooed, turning to me with a devilish glint in her eyes. "I was just telling our beautiful bride here how her wedding night is going to be⦠unforgettable."
I shot her a glare. Traitor.
Pranav snorted, walking closer. "Ugh. I donât need those images in my head. But hey, Neti, you lookâ¦" He paused, tilting his head as if inspecting me. "Well, you look like a queen about to walk into a lionâs den. Congratulations, I guess?"
I rolled my eyes. "Wow, such a confidence boost."
Aliya grinned. "Oh, donât worry. Sheâll survive⦠probably."
I clenched my jaw as they laughed, but in my mind, I wasnât thinking about wedding nights or Adolph. I was thinking about my escape. And no oneâno oneâwas going to stop me.
Except if Adolph came hunting me down. Then⦠no one could save me.
The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Because I knew him. Knew the way his mind worked. If he found out I had runâif he even suspected itâhe wouldnât just look for me. He would hunt me. And when Adolph hunted, he never came back empty-handed.
I swallowed hard, keeping my face neutral as Aliya and Pranav continued their antics. But inside, my heart was pounding.
Would I even make it far enough to disappear?
Would the abandoned mansion be enough to keep me hidden?
Would I ever truly be free of him?
One thing was certainâI had to try. Even if it meant running from the devil himself.
Eliza arrived, a knowing smirk on her face as she motioned for me to follow. "It's time," she said, her voice laced with amusement.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. The gown felt heavier than before, or maybe it was just the weight of my decision pressing down on me.
Before I could take a step, Aliya looped her arm through mine, grinning like the little devil she was. "Oh, donât look so scared, Neti. It's just marriage! You know, forever, no escape, till death do you partâliterally, in your case."
Pranav snorted beside us. "Yeah, yeah, but letâs not forget the best part. Tonight." He wiggled his eyebrows exaggeratedly. "Ahh, our dear Neti, going from innocent little bride toâ"
"Pranav, shut up!" I hissed, my face burning.
Aliya was wheezing. "Oh, come on, Neti. I mean, youâre glowing, and itâs not just the makeup! Adolph is going to lose his mind when he sees you."
"Good," I muttered under my breath. Let him. Maybe heâll be so distracted he wonât notice when I disappear.
Eliza sighed dramatically. "Alright, enough torturing the poor bride. Letâs go before Adolph comes looking for her himself."
"Yeah," Pranav said, pretending to wipe a tear. "Itâs time for our dear Neti to accept her fate."
I shot him a glare, but inside, my nerves were twisting into knots. This wasnât my fate. Not if I could help it.
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Run if you can...