Chapter 1

The sunlight reflected into the room, and the peaceful sound of nature echoed through the atmosphere. Carmen smiled as the makeup artist applied a thin layer of primer to her moisturized skin. Her eyelashes gently touched each other as an eye primer got added to her eyelids. She could feel the softness of the brush when it touched her face as the lady applied the foundation to brighten her skin tone.

The door opened, and a classic woman stood at the doorway with a bright smile on her face.

“Mini, Is the bride ready?” She asked.

“No, I am still touching up her makeup,” Mini explained as she put some cream concealer on her finger and lightly dabbed her fingertips on areas that looked dark on Carmen's face.

Carmen turned her head to gaze at the woman, and her lips curved in a grin. “Mom! What are you doing here? I thought you were out there greeting the guests.”

“I want to see my daughter transformed into a beautiful bride.” Her mother said with a smile.

A few minutes later, Mini stopped working on Carmen's face after she had layered the color on her lip.

“My job here is done. Mrs. Smith, how would you grade my work.” She said with a beam on her face as she laid down the lipstick and turned Carmen's chair toward the door.

Mrs. Smith's smile became broader, and her eyes sparkled, seeing how elegant her daughter seemed.

“Mini, you are amazing. She looks like the most stunning bride I have ever seen,  and for that, I give your work an A-plus.” Mrs. Smith said.

She walked away from the door and approached Carmen. Her hand gracefully touched her daughter's face, and her eyes got teary.

“My beautiful baby.” Mrs. Smith cried.

“Mom,” Carmen whispers sadly.

Her mother's emotional outbursts were negatively affecting her mood.

“Mini, can you excuse my daughter and me? I want to assist her in wearing her wedding gown.” Mrs. Smith said with a slight smile.

“Okay. I am going to leave now.” Mini replied and left the room.

Carmen knew that there was more to her mother's statement. She looked at Mrs. Smith and saw that her smile had disappeared, leaving only sadness on her face.

“Mom, what is this actually about?” Carmen asked with an aching heart.

Mrs. Smith pulled a chair in front of her daughter and sat down.

Carmen and her mother were now facing each other.

"Does Liam love you?” Her mother asked.

Carmen laughed at first, but then her smile faded away when she noticed that her mother was being serious.

“Oh, you are serious. Mom, today is my wedding day. I am going to be his wife in less than an hour, and you choose this moment to ask me such a question?” Carmen said in a shaking tone.

“Carmen, I could not ask you this question since I thought you and Liam were just a flame for you, and you were going to get over him soon. Plus, your grandpa seems to like the fact that both of you were in a relationship.” Mrs. Smith said as she held onto her daughter's hands.

Carmen slowly pulled her hands from in her mother's grips. She was now tearing up and felt thankful to Mini that she had used waterproof makeup on her face.

“Why now? Why are you saying all this to me now?” Carmen cried.

The tears were now falling from her eyes uncontrollably. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and sniffed.

“I did not want to go against you and your grandfather's wish. But baby, this is marriage you guys are talking about now. You and Liam have to live under the same roof and see each other every day, and I want to make sure that he does love you. Because I don't feel like he does.” Mrs. Smith explained.

Her daughter's teary face was aching her heart, but she knew this was the best decision she had made for Carmen.

“He loves me. If he did not, then why are we even getting married? Why will his family and his friends be here? Why would anyone want to be in this building?” Carmen screamed.

Her heart was racing, and she could not understand what she was feeling, but Carmen could tell that it was not joy.

“Fine. Please stop crying. It's my fault. I should not have assumed.” Mrs. Smith said as she embraced her daughter.

Carmen rested her head on her mother's shoulder and wept bitterly. She knew her mother was right. Liam never told her that he loved her, not once in their relationship. But she thought it was because he's shy. Now that her mother had brought the subject up, she felt deep down in her heart that Mrs. Smith was right.

After Carmen's had cried her fear and pain out, it took her a few minutes for her to calm down. From there, her mother helped her wear her gown, and they did not talk about what had happened. There was only silence cycling within the room.

Liam was the only one in the groom's dressing room. He had not worn his suit yet. His hair was messy, and his face looked frowned. He was on a call, and his expression appeared gloomy.

“I don't think I can do this. It's not fair to you and me.” He said.

“You can't do this to her. We both can't break her heart.” The caller replied.

“How can't you expect me to marry a woman that I don't love? Are my feelings not as important as hers is to you!” Liam lashed back in anger.

“That's not true. I love Carmen, and for her, I am willing to sacrifice the love I have for you.”

Liam ended the call in rage. He looked into the mirror and hated his reflection.

“Why do I have to suffer for you? You denied me the chance to be with the woman I love, and now I am going to do the same for you. Every single pain I am feeling, you will undergo the same until you divorce me.” Liam stated.