Unlucky Marriage

Chapter 5

Emma POV

After a long internal battle, I finally said yes to the marriage. But as I lay in bed, doubt clawed at me. Had I just made the biggest mistake of my life? I didn’t know, and at this point, I felt like I didn’t care. The decision was made, and Noah's family was already buzzing around, planning the wedding date.

To my shock, they settled on just two weeks from now. Why the rush? But who was I to question their excitement? They were thrilled to welcome me into their family, and I tried to match their enthusiasm. The whirlwind of preparations began—dress fittings, jewelry shopping—all happening at a dizzying pace.

The day arrived for my saree selection, a tradition I had looked forward to, albeit with a touch of anxiety. Both our families gathered, laughter and chatter filling the air. Despite the chaos, I found joy among them. This family felt warm and inviting; I felt at home. Every person I met was kind, and for a moment, I let myself believe I might actually fit in.

But there was one glaring absence: Noah. He wouldn’t be in India until the day before the wedding, which felt surreal. How could I be marrying someone I hadn’t even met yet? It was as if he existed only in my imagination, a shadow of a man I was expected to call my husband.

As the week flew by, the whirlwind of activities became overwhelming. My two best friends were my anchors through it all, but Noah remained a ghost in my life. Not a single call or message about our impending wedding. It felt more like my wedding than “our” wedding, and I couldn't bring myself to tell my friends the truth—that I was set to marry a man who barely acknowledged me. They would think I was crazy for marrying someone so distant.

With only one day left before the ceremony, I was terrified. Noah had arrived but hadn’t even informed me. His mother reached out, asking how I was holding up, her voice bubbling with excitement for the evening’s events. I put on a brave face, joining my family and friends in a night of celebration—dance, music, games, and food filled the air with laughter. Somehow, I managed to enjoy the festivities, pushing aside the looming reality of marrying a stranger.

When the night ended, exhaustion washed over everyone. Some headed home, but my friends Lakeesha and Anaya stayed with me, sharing in the last night of my single life. As I freshened up and sank into my bed, my phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Asher, filled with photos and videos from the evening. For the first time, I saw Noah—laughing, surrounded by friends, completely at ease. This was a side of him I hadn’t experienced.

Did he dislike me? Had I done something to upset him? Confusion swirled in my mind. I needed answers, and the only way to get them was to confront him on our wedding day. The impending nuptials felt like a weight pressing down on me, and as I wrestled with my thoughts, sleep finally pulled me under, the anxious dreams waiting to unravel with the dawn of my wedding day.