I WILL GET MARRIED TO ADAM

"I'm going to run away," I said, my voice full of conviction. "I have to get out of here. I have to get away from all of this."

"But running away is a very drastic step," she said, a note of concern in her voice. "It could have serious consequences. Are you sure that's what you want to do?"

"I know it's a big decision," I said, my mind made up. "But I don't see any other way out. I have to save myself, no matter the cost!”

“Fleeing from this marriage won't help the situation at hand, Althea.” Kathryn advised.

“Then what do you think I should do? Because I cannot and will not give up on my relationship with Timothy!” I said vehemently.

"You don't have to give up on your relationship with Timothy," she said, her voice gentle and soothing. "There are other ways to handle this situation, ways that don't involve running away or giving up on the people you love. Sometimes the most beautiful things can happen when we keep our hearts open to the possibilities."

Her words struck a chord in my heart, and I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe she was right. Maybe there was another way out of this mess. I took a deep breath, letting her words sink in.

"Weddings and engagements, they're supposed to be a promise of a lifetime. I've always thought that they were beautiful, that they had to be," I said, more to myself than to Kathryn. "It's supposed to be a day of bliss in the lives of the two people involved, a union of forever."

"I know that's what they're supposed to be, they still are," she said gently. "But I also know that sometimes, life doesn't always work out the way we plan. Sometimes, the reality is different from our expectations."

She paused, and I could tell that she was choosing her words carefully. "I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you that no matter what you decide, it's okay to feel what you're feeling. It's okay to feel scared, or angry, or even heartbroken. Your feelings are valid, no matter what."

Her words struck a chord in my heart. I realized that she was right - I had to give myself permission to feel whatever I was feeling, without judgment or shame. It was okay to be scared and uncertain, and it was okay to feel conflicted about my future.

"You really do know me so well," I said, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "You're the best friend a girl could ask for."

"Of course I am!" she said, feigning indignation, but I could hear the laughter in her voice. "And you know I'm always here for you, no matter what. I know you're feeling overwhelmed right now, but I want you to know that whatever you decide to do, I'll be here for you."

I smiled at her words, feeling a rush of gratitude for her friendship. "Thanks, Kath," I said, my voice full of emotion. "I'm just feeling so conflicted right now. I don't know what to do. I'm scared of hurting someone, no matter what I decide."

"It's okay to feel conflicted," she said, her tone understanding. "You're in a really tough spot, and there's no easy answer here. But I want you to know that whatever choice you make, you don't have to feel guilty about it. You're allowed to make the decision that's right for you, even if it's not the easiest or most straightforward option. And regardless of what you decide, I'll still be here, supporting you every step of the way."

Her words were like a balm to my soul, soothing my anxiety and easing my fears. For the first time since this whole situation had started, I felt like I could breathe. I took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. "Thank you," I said, my voice shaky but sincere. "I really needed to hear that."

“You are welcome." She said, cheerfully.

“You know, it's just…I remember when I was a kid, and my parents would talk about their wedding day," I said, my voice soft and nostalgic. "They'd light up when they talked about it, like it was the happiest day of their lives. There was a kind of glow in their eyes that made their smiles more genuine. I could see the joy in their eyes, and it was like they were reliving that moment, even years later. It was something I'll never forget."

As I spoke, I could feel the emotions welling up inside me. I could almost see my parents' faces as they talked about their wedding day, the love and happiness radiating from them. "It was like they were living in a fairytale," I continued, a small smile forming on my lips. "I know it's just a story, but it was so beautiful to see them so happy. I don't think I'll ever forget that."

I took a deep breath, savoring the memory. Even though I was in a difficult situation, that moment of nostalgia had given me a sense of peace. I felt like my parents' love was with me, even if they weren't physically there. I stared at the ceiling and felt a little bit teary.

"After hearing their story, I spent a lot of time dreaming about my own wedding day," I said, a wistful smile on my face. "I imagined what it would be like when the love of my life, Timothy, will propose to me. I imagined it would be simple and heartfelt, not some big, fancy spectacle. That's just not who I am. I don't really like fancy or extravagant things."

I let out a small laugh, thinking about how silly it was to have spent so much time daydreaming about something that might never happen. But despite the bittersweetness

at that moment, I felt a sense of gratitude for the love I had experienced, even if it hadn't worked out the way I'd hoped. "I know it's a little silly, but it's nice to dream sometimes," I said, my voice soft and vulnerable. "It's a way of holding onto hope, even when things seem impossible."

Kathryn was quiet for a moment, and I could almost hear her thinking. "That's not silly at all," she said, her voice full of understanding. "I think it's beautiful that you can still find hope, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

"I pictured myself walking down the aisle, to find Timothy standing at the altar, waiting for me, his smile bright and warm," I said, my voice trembling. "I imagined him placing the ring on my finger, and the feeling of being his wife, of being Mrs. Timothy Will. Oh, how lovely that would have been! It was such a beautiful, perfect dream."

I paused, my words catching in my throat as tears streamed down my face. I could feel the pain of unfulfilled dreams, the ache of something that might never be. But even as the tears fell, I felt a strange comfort, knowing that my dreams were still my own, even if they were never meant to be reality.

"Dreams are important," I whispered, wiping away my tears. "They help us to keep going, even when things are tough. They remind us that there's still beauty and possibility in the world, even when we can't see it right away."

I could feel Kathryn's presence beside me, even though she wasn't there in the physical sense. "You're so strong, Althea," she said, her voice full of admiration. "I know it's hard right now, but I believe that better days are ahead.I am so sorry, Althea.” Kathryn consoled me as I sniffed and sobbed.

"That was how I saw my future, with Timothy by my side," I said, my voice cracking. "I never imagined that I would have to give up my dreams, that my father would be in danger, that I would have to end my relationship with someone I cared about so deeply. I don't know if I'm strong enough to face all of this, Kathryn. I'm scared."

I felt the full weight of my emotions, the pain and fear and uncertainty. I wanted to curl up and hide, but at the same time, I knew I had to face what was in front of me. And somehow, just having Kathryn's virtual presence beside me, even if it was only in my mind, was enough to give me a glimmer of strength. "I know this is hard, Althea," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "But I also know that you're stronger than you think. You've faced difficult things before, and you've come out the other side. I know you can do it again."

I took a deep breath, her words resonating deep within me. "Thank you," I said, a small smile forming on my face.

"I wish I could do something to help," Kathryn said, her voice filled with compassion and concern. "Please, tell me how I can be there for you. I want to support you in any way I can. What can I do?"

I took a deep breath, knowing that I needed to ask for help, even though it was hard. "Can you tell Timothy what's going on?" I asked, my voice shaking. "I can't bring myself to do it. I don't think I could handle seeing him hurt like that knowing that I am the cause of it."

"You're certain you want me to be the one to tell him?" she asked, her tone gentle but firm.

I took a shaky breath, trying to steady my voice. "Yes, I am," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Please, I can't do it. I can't tell him. But I know I need to, and I know he deserves to hear it from me, not some stranger. I'm just not strong enough."

She hesitated, and I could feel her deliberating on what to say next.

"I know how difficult this is for you," she said, her voice soft and understanding. "It's so hard to face the people we care about when we've made a decision that we know will hurt them. But I also think that it's important to be honest, even when it's painful. I'll do whatever you need me to do, but I want you to be sure this is what you want."

Her words hit me like a wave of comfort, washing away some of the weight on my shoulders. She was right - I knew that this was the right thing to do, even if it was one of the hardest things I'd ever have to do. "I'm sure," I said, my voice steadier this time. "I need you to tell him for me, and I need you to be honest. Please, just be there for him."

"I will," she said, her voice resolute. "I'm here for both of you. No matter what happens, you have my support. I'm not going anywhere."

"Does this mean that you're going to marry Adam?" she asked hesitantly.

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, and my voice caught in my throat. "I...I have to," I said, my words barely above a whisper, with fresh hot tears cascading my cheeks.