Bound by Fate, Freed by Love

Chapter 7 A Tense Celebration

The evening was bathed in golden light as the Shayan and Saad families gathered around the long, elegantly set dining table. The air buzzed with excitement and joy, the laughter of relatives and the clinking of glasses echoing throughout the grand dining hall.

Amara sat quietly next to Samar, her husband, while across the table sat her parents, brimming with happiness. Mr. Shayan, Amara's father, a renowned investor and businessman, could hardly contain his pride. His daughters, both now married into the illustrious Saad family, had secured a future filled with stability and prestige.

"I couldn't have hoped for a better match for my girls," Mr. Shayan said with a broad smile, raising his glass to the table. "Both of my daughters married to such an esteemed family. This is truly a blessing."

His wife, seated beside him, nodded in agreement, her eyes glowing with warmth. "Yes, Lisa and Mira couldn't have found better husbands. Our family is truly fortunate."

Amara's gaze flickered between her parents and her sister Alyssa, who sat beside her husband, Fidel. Alyssa smiled softly, her happiness evident in the way she looked at her husband, blissfully unaware of the tension simmering just beneath the surface.

Across the table, Samar's parents shared in a joyous mood. Mr. Saad, the chairman of the Saad Group of Companies, was visibly pleased with how the evening was unfolding. Though the marriage between Samar and Amara had been somewhat unexpected, it had nonetheless brought relief to his heart.

Samar had always been the independent one, living abroad in Ireland for years, focused on his career, and seemingly uninterested in settling down. But here he was, married, and Mr. Saad could finally rest easy knowing his son had chosen to commit.

"We are all proud of you, Samar," Mr. Saad said, his voice rich with paternal pride. "You've taken an important step today."

Samar gave a small nod in response, his expression calm, though unreadable as ever. He had been polite and gracious throughout the evening, but Amara noticed that his distance hadn't lessened. He was present, yet detached, as if this marriage was still merely a formality to him.

Amara sat stiffly beside him, the unfamiliar weight of her wedding ring pressing against her finger. The words of congratulations and praise from the families seemed to pass through her without sinking in. She smiled when expected, and nodded at the right moments, but beneath her composed exterior, she felt the growing tension.

Her gaze drifted briefly to Fidel, who sat opposite her, his eyes focused on the food in front of him. He hadn't said much during the dinner, and she could sense the discomfort radiating from him. Every time her eyes met his across the table, she saw the flicker of something unresolved, something that shouldn't have been there.

The seating arrangement had placed her uncomfortably close to Samar, and though they were now husband and wife, there was a wall between them, a vast ocean of silence that neither seemed eager to cross. But the real unease stemmed from the man sitting across from them.

Fidel's discomfort was palpable, and Amara knew the reason why. She had seen the way his eyes followed her, the way he averted his gaze whenever Samar addressed her. It was as though the unspoken tension between them had grown even stronger now that she was officially part of his family—now that she was his sister-in-law.

Alyssa, sitting beside Fidel, seemed blissfully unaware, laughing lightly as she shared stories about their childhood. She had no idea of the inner turmoil bubbling within her husband, nor the weight of the secrets they all carried.

As the dinner continued, Amara's heart sank deeper. She had chosen this marriage for Alyssa's sake, to protect her sister's happiness, but now she wondered how long she could bear the strain. Sitting next to Samar, a man she barely knew, while Fidel's gaze haunted her from across the table—it was all too much.

Samar's voice broke through her thoughts. "Are you comfortable?" he asked quietly, his tone formal, as though speaking to a guest.

Amara nodded quickly, not meeting his eyes. "Yes, I'm fine."

Samar didn't press the conversation further, returning his attention to his plate. Their interactions were minimal, polite at best, and Amara felt the sharp contrast between their silent dinner and the joyful laughter filling the room around them.

As dessert was served, Amara's parents once again beamed with pride. "We couldn't be more thrilled with this union," her mother said, glancing fondly between her daughters. "Alyssa and Amara—both married to such wonderful men."

Alyssa laughed, playfully nudging Fidel. "I knew from the beginning that Fidel and I were meant to be. And now, with Amara and Samar married, we're truly one big family."

Her words hung in the air like a bittersweet reminder. For Alyssa, this union was perfect, but for Amara, it was far from a dream. She could feel the weight of expectation pressing down on her, the pressure to make this marriage work despite the circumstances.

As the dinner drew to a close, Amara couldn't help but feel the growing dread of the night ahead. It was their first night as husband and wife, and yet, she felt more like a stranger to Samar than ever before.

The families continued their cheerful conversation, but for Amara, every smile, every word, felt like a mask covering the turmoil within.

Fidel's eyes met hers one last time before the end of the dinner, and for a moment, the tension between them was suffocating. She quickly looked away, forcing a smile, trying to bury the unease deep within her.

As the night crept closer, Amara wondered how long she could keep pretending.