Assigned Bride [Unrequited Love]

14

The weekend brought no sense of relief. I slept longer than usual, but the exhaustion clung to me like a weight I couldn’t shake. When I finally opened my eyes, the golden sunlight streaming through the window only deepened the dull ache inside me. The world outside seemed so alive—vivid, carefree—but inside, I felt muted, like a shadow of myself. 

For a while, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, letting the stillness wrap around me. My thoughts drifted aimlessly, brushing past the events of last night. Francesco’s silence. Ethan’s words. Emily’s presence. Each memory felt like a bruise I couldn’t stop pressing. 

When I finally pulled myself out of bed and freshened up, I wandered into the kitchen. That’s when I saw it—a bright, cheery note stuck to the freezer door, Morgan’s handwriting unmistakable: 

*"Babe, I’m out of town for a week. Mike is taking me to meet his family—so excited!"* 

I smiled despite myself, the corners of my mouth lifting almost involuntarily. Grabbing my phone, I dialed her number. 

“Hello, Kathy!” Morgan’s voice was bright and bubbly, a stark contrast to my own mood. 

“So… meeting the family, huh?” I teased, trying to match her enthusiasm. 

“Oh my god, I’m so damn nervous!” she squealed. “We’re just outside his town now. Fifteen minutes away." 

I heard Mike’s laughter in the background, his teasing voice making Morgan groan in mock frustration. “Morning, Katherine!” he called out, his tone warm and friendly. 

“Morning, Mike,” I replied with a small laugh. “Take care of Morgan, okay? Don’t let her overthink everything." 

“I’ll do my best!” he promised, his laughter fading as Morgan reclaimed the phone. 

Her voice softened slightly, shifting into something more perceptive. “Hey… are you okay? You sound a little… off. Did something happen?" 

I hesitated, caught off guard by her intuition. That was Morgan—always able to sense even the slightest shift in my mood. But I couldn’t burden her with my mess, not when she was so excited about her new chapter with Mike. 

“You’re overthinking it,” I said lightly, brushing it off. “I just woke up feeling groggy, that’s all. Don’t worry about me.” 

“Katherine…” she started, her tone laced with suspicion. 

“Morgan,” I interrupted, forcing a playful laugh. “Focus on not embarrassing yourself in front of Mike’s family, okay? You’ve got bigger things to worry about than me.” 

She paused, and I could almost hear her chewing over my response, deciding whether to push further. But finally, she sighed. “Fine. But if something’s wrong, you’ll tell me, right?” 

“Of course,” I lied smoothly, guilt prickling the back of my mind. 

“Good. You’re my person, Kathy,” she said softly. “I’ve got your back, you know that.” 

Her words made my chest tighten, but I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I know, Morgan. And I’ve got yours. Now go dazzle Mike’s family.” 

Her giggle returned, lighter now. “Wish me luck!” 

“You don’t need it. You’ll be amazing,” I assured her. 

After hanging up, I found myself smiling for real this time. Morgan’s happiness, her excitement, was infectious. For a brief moment, the weight on my shoulders felt lighter.