Inaya's POV

"Dad!

Father!!

Honey!!" Alex, Mother, and I called at the same time.

Those were the words I never expected to hear from my Father's mouth.

"I can't let this alliance go," Father stated with authority, "Never."

A gloomy look made its way to Mother's face, "How can you ask my younger daughter to marry her sister's husband?"

"Beckham isn't Karisa's husband," Father explained to Mother.

"Have you forgotten they already......"

"That's enough!!" Father yelled shutting Mother up, "I have made my decision and that's final."

"Father I cannot get married to a man I know nothing about," I disagreed with Father's decision.

"When you get married to him, you will know him," I burst into laughter.

"I have never listened to you before so I won't do that today," I made myself loud and clear. Getting married at this point in my life was a NO, and getting married to the man my sister was arranged to be married to was a bigger NO.

"Inaya can never get married to Beckham Henderson," Alex yelled. Obviously, he doesn't want me to be more powerful than him, so he won't agree, and I hate the fact that I was going to support him today.

"If you don't marry him then I will cut off everything and render you penniless," Father threatened.

I giggled mentally, I wasn't the right person to threaten, "Do you think I care?"

I have enough money in my slush fund to take care of me for years. Mother wouldn't let me go penniless, Karisa would never do that, and Alex would provide for me as long as I don't have access to this family wealth.

Father locked eyes with me and said to Mother, "You have one hour to convince your daughter."

"I will be in my room, excuse me," I said and walked away from Father's reading room.

I didn't want to wake my friends up so I went to Karisa's room. I searched around the room for any clues, but there was nothing. I called but it kept taking me to voicemail.

This wasn't the plan, I have to think of something real fast because only the almighty knows what Father may do next.

"Inaya," Mother called calmly and I dropped my phone to give her my full attention.

"Mother, why did you come here? Shouldn't you inform the guest of the situation?" I held her hand and led her to sit on the bed.

"Inaya," Mother touched my face with love, "Have I ever asked you for anything?"

I think I knew where this was going, I shook my head, "Mother please don't ask me to marry a stranger."

"Inaya," I stood up from the bed and I saw sadness in her eyes, I couldn't bear to look at her, "If they leave here today then our heads will be hung in shame, it will be difficult to gain face in society and nobody knows what Mr Henry Henderson will do."

I wasn't going to fall for this, "Mother please don't involve me, Father will take care of his business."

"I understand but what of everything I have built over the years, what of everything your biological mother built for you before she died?" I felt my mother closely behind me, "Would you let that go down the drain?"

I can't destroy my life by being married to this man. I know nothing about him; he could have a disability, he could have mental health issues, he could be a drunk or an abuser.

"I don't want to hurt you, but you should know you raised a selfish daughter who doesn't know how to sacrifice for others. I'm sorry," I apologized and walked out of the room without sparing her a glance.

"Inaya!!" Mother yelled in the hallway. I ignored her and continued walking. "Then you leave me no choice." I turned to see what she was talking about.

My soul almost left my body when I saw Mother place a knife to her wrist, "You have to choose today."

"Mother!!!" I yelled and it brought some attention to us.

"Chloe!! What madness is this?" One of our relatives asked.

"I just want my daughter to choose, or else I will kill myself right here and right now." Tears rolled down Mother's eyes.

I'm sure Father made her do this; there was no way Mother would try to manipulate me this way. What did Father tell her to convince her?

"Mother, we already talked about this," I furrowed my brow as I took sluggish steps towards her, "You don't need to act this way."

"You shouldn't tell me how to act," Mother said, "I just want you to fulfill just one thing for me, it will give you a very happy life, I'm your mother I will never make the wrong choice for you."

"It wasn't about the wrong choice, I'm not ready to be married, that's too much on me," I couldn't even tell her that I might be pregnant.

"Okay then," I guess you have made your choice, "I don't deserve to live if I can't give my daughter a better life."

Everything happened so fast that the next thing we saw was blood dripping from Mother's wrist, "Mom, what have you done?"

"Honey," Father ran to hold Mother in his arms, "Call the doctor."

"Don't..." Mom held Father's shirt weakly, "Don't.... Let... me just die."

"Mom!" I yelled, "You are losing blood."

"When..... I die, please allow my Inaya to bury me, allow my Inaya to be at the front carrying my coffin," Tears rolled down Mother's face.

"Get any doctor!!!" Alex yelled to no one in particular.

"Allow me to die," Mother cried, "At least I will die knowing my daughter loved me."

Why was she like that? I'm sure Father put her up to this. Why was he doing this? If it were Father in this situation, I wouldn't even bat an eye, but it was Mother, I can't allow anything to happen to her.

"What are you doing standing there? Make a decision!" Father shouted as if his life depended on it.

Inaya's POV

My eyes looked at everyone in the hallway, who were patiently awaiting my response.

Whatever I do now will change my life, I don't know if it's for the better or the worse but I knew I wasn't ready for that life. I needed to choose between my ego and my Mother's life.

I clenched my teeth, "Get the doctor for Mother and get the stylist for me."

"Inaya, I'm sorry," Mother broke down in tears, "Forgive me, I'm sorry."

"I understand," I smiled halfheartedly at her, "I have a condition."

"What?" Father hurriedly asked. I guess he didn't want me to change my mind.

"Instead of a white wedding dress, I want a black wedding dress." A white wedding dress signifies my happiness, but I wasn't happy; I was mourning inside.

"Is it a wedding or a funeral?" Father questioned furiously.

"I have given my condition," I said in a low tone.

Deep down, I wanted Father to disagree so I would be able to go back to my normal life, but things didn't turn out that way. "Have a black ball gown and veil delivered in the next twenty minutes."

"I will be in Karisa's room," I said and walked away.

I came to Karisa's room because I didn't want to wake my friends up, they must be very tired and wouldn't even be sober enough to understand a thing.

I sat in front of the mirror as the stylist dressed me. I felt empty inside; this wasn't what I wanted, this wasn't what I planned for myself. I promise you Karisa, when I see you, I will beat you for ruining my life.

I looked in front of the mirror when they were done. I'm not going to lie, but the makeup was on point. I didn't recognize myself in the black sleeveless ball gown; it complemented my skin. Not going to lie, I looked beautiful but I was empty and unrecognizable to myself.

"I hope you will forgive me," I lifted my head and saw Mother standing behind me in the mirror.

"You can never do wrong in my eyes," I smiled at her through the mirror, "Let's go downstairs before we become emotional."

"You really do have your way, everyone will be surprised to see you with a black dress, the first bride to wear a black dress," Mother laughed to lighten the mood.

"They will think it's Karisa wearing a black dress, she is about to be the talk of the town," I laughed lightly as I stood up.

I didn't want Mother to be bothered by me, so I kept a forced smile on my face. "You look beautiful," She complimented as she dropped the veil over my face.

"Aren't your friends coming?" Mother handed me the bouquet of roses.

"Let them rest, they aren't sober enough for this, and I will tell them everything when they wake up." I hugged her before I led the way out of the room.

Whispers danced around the garden as I walked beside Father, "A black gown? You will be the talk of the town," Father whispered to me with amusement.

"Not me, Karisa," I replied sternly, I wasn't smiling with him.

Father placed my hand on a man's hand whom I assumed to be Beckham Henderson when we got to the altar.

I was told not to raise my head, I was told not to speak too much so he wouldn't notice that it wasn't Karisa under the veil.

I haven't even seen his face but I already hate his perfume. Mr Beckham has to change that perfume, it reminded me so much of that annoying man. I can't inhale that perfume in school and still come home to that same perfume.

"I thought my bride would wear a beautiful white gown, but a black gown, you really do surprise me, and it looks angelic," Mr Beckham laughed lightly.

I rolled my eyes physically. Poor man must really like Karisa. I wonder what he will do when he realizes that I'm not Karisa.

I paused my lip under my veil. That voice was very familiar; I hadn't met Beckham before, but I was sure I had heard his voice before. I was so sure I had heard it, I don't know where I had heard that voice, but I was so sure about it.

I tried to take a peek, but he was tall and I couldn't afford to raise my head higher than this. I nodded my head to everything the priest was saying even though I wasn't listening.

"Mr Beckham Henderson, do you take Miss Karisa Valentino as your lawful wedded wife?" The priest asked.

Beckham answered in a calm voice as he put the ring on my finger. I looked at the ring with pitiful eyes. It was a beautiful ring but it wasn't with the rightful owner.

I scoffed mentally, "Mrs Karisa Valentino, do you take Mr Beckham Henderson as your lawful wedded husband?" The priest asked.

I was hesitant, I looked around hoping Karisa would come running down to stop the wedding, "Mrs Karisa?" The priest called again.

"I..... I... do," I answered, and my shaking hands put the ring on Beckham's finger.

"Are you good?" Beckham asked out of concern, "Did you drink?"

I shook my head to both questions. No matter how I tried to think about it this voice sounded like pain to my ears. It was oddly familiar.

"The exchange of the ring and the vows are done, now the bride and the groom may share their first kiss," The priest said and the crowd cheered.

My heart stopped, and my body began to shake out of fear. I was never scared but this was the big reveal I feared. "What will happen? What will people say? What will Mr Beckham do? What will the Hendersons do? We are already married but still,"

Those words played in my head as Mr Beckham's hand drew closer to remove the veil. I shut my eyes tight as both hands held my dress by the side waiting for Mr Beckham's reaction.

The cool evening breeze hit my face which meant Mr Beckham had opened my veil, "Inaya...." That voice calling my name was already engraved in my head.

I have started hearing things, I laughed at myself as I opened my eyes.

The laughter immediately wiped off my face, "Sir?"

Marcel's POV

"Daddy!!" Akira, my baby girl, ran to hug me, and I picked her up from the floor.

I always have a stressful day at school or work but seeing my baby girl always made it better.

"How is my baby?" I pecked her on the cheek, and she giggled. "Where is Granny?"

"Your daughter makes me run around the entire house," Mother sat on the couch, "Thank goodness you are getting married to someone fond of children."

"Mother," I dropped Akira so she could go play with her toys, "I think we should call off the wedding."

"Why? Is something wrong?" Mother asked with pure concern, "Did something happen when you last met with her?"

"Not really, I just feel that Karisa isn't prepared for this wedding, I have a feeling she is being forced into it," I voiced my concern to Mother, hoping she would understand.

"You know it's already too late to call off the wedding, it's tonight," Mother said calmly. Mother was always calm and understanding, "But if you want to call it off then I will speak to your Father."

"We can't call it off," Father said when he entered the living room, "This alliance is the best alliance this family can have, they are number one in the business world and they will be useful to me."

I didn't understand Father's greed. We also had businesses, and they were all doing well, even my law firm was number one, and all our businesses together beat theirs.

"What about her happiness?" I didn't want to stay with someone who wasn't happy and who didn't want to be with me.

Deep down, I knew I wasn't in love with her but I needed to be her friend so we could be good parents to Akira.

"Her happiness isn't your problem at the moment, it's her family's problem," Father said nonchalantly, "When you marry her then you can think of her happiness."

"I should go get ready, Akira will stay with Grandma tonight," I said as I stood up.

"You look stressed, do you need a head massage?" Mother asked and I shook my head with a smile, "Is that student, what's her name again?" Mother paused then suddenly snapped her fingers, "Inaya, is Inaya still giving you issues?"

The thought of Inaya made me tired and mad, that name was a pain in my life, I spent just a few hours with her and I can't stand her, then how do the people that live with her do it? "Unfortunately, yes, she gets worse all the time."

"Who is her family?" Mother asked. I knew she wanted to handle it by herself.

"I don't really know, but it seems she is from a very powerful family. The people in school respect her; it's like they don't want to get on her bad side," I explained what I have noticed with time.

"Just go according to the school rule with her and I will handle it," Mother smiled, "I can't let anybody stress my son."

"Sure," I said before I walked up to my room, "Why are you two here?" I asked Nelson and Zachary, my best mates when I saw them lying on my bed dressed in suits.

"We are waiting for you," Nelson said, showing me my wedding card. "Your wedding."

I nodded my head to whatever Nelson was saying, he reminded me so much of Inaya, but they weren't the same. Inaya was torture while Nelson was Nelson.

"Who owns that alcohol on the table?" Zachary pointed at the table.

My eyes followed to the table, "I seized it from a student some days back."

"How did that student get that wine?" Both Zac and I looked at Nelson with confusion, "That wine is from Mr Valentino's company, that wine isn't even out, like it's out but not to the public, so who exactly is that student?"

I laughed mentally, so her family is actually powerful in society to get an unreleased wine, "Just some troublemaker I don't want to speak off," I tapped Nelson on the shoulder, "Let me go get ready."

Getting married again didn't feel real, it's been three years since Selena divorced me. I understood her; she was tired. I understood it was difficult for her to speak slowly whenever she was with me; she must have been embarrassed, and I didn't bother to fight for us.

Karisa, on the other hand, I feel bad, I was about to marry her, and yet I didn't tell her anything. I understood she didn't accept this marriage willingly when she never asked about my hearing aids.

Everyone had learnt to live with me and do things with me, I had never had anyone mock me until I met that god forsaken girl, Inaya, who made fun of my disability in front of the entire class, she made me a laughing stock, and there was nothing I could do about it.

I will make sure she never practices law in this country or worse, I will make sure she never graduates from Lexington Law School.

"It's been three hours, why isn't the bride here?" Zac asked and I shook my head.

"I don't know," I replied tirelessly. They need an extra three hours, but it's more than that.

"Maybe the bride ran away," Nelson laughed. I glared at him, and he shut his mouth up.

Maybe the bride did run away, I mean why would they give out refreshments when we haven't exchanged rings?

"You should go to the altar, the bride is coming out," Father said, I stood up and went to stand at the altar.

My eyes stared deeply at the bride as she made her way to the altar. She was wearing a beautiful black handless ball dress and a long veil.

This didn't feel like Karisa, the Karisa I spent last month with wasn't one to break the rules, but then again, I didn't know much about her.

Karisa hesitated to say I do and put the ring on my finger. I was concerned for her, but that concern turned into worry when I perceived alcohol on her breath.

Now I was curious as to why she drank before the wedding, does she regret the decision already?

I took a deep breath and removed her veil. My entire world went still, my blood froze, "Inaya..." The name I hated the most left my mouth.

The person I hated the most in the world was standing before me at the altar, where I had just gotten married.

I was in a fucking nightmare, someone please wake me up from this nightmare, "Sir?" Her voice woke me up from the nightmare; it wasn't just a nightmare, it was a reality, and that reality made my blood boil.