Chapter 4
Fulfill Family's Promise
I took a deep breath after Dafa accepted my proposal.
I didn't know where that sudden bravery had come from, only that it sat heavy and real in my chest.
Dafa extended his hand toward me.
"What are you waiting for now? Let's go inside then," he said calmly as if we hadn't just turned both our lives upside down.
I stared at his hand for a moment; broad, steady, a little rough, before finally nodding. My heart pounded hard enough that I could almost hear it.
We walked together, side by side, stepping into the grand mansion that belonged to the Halton family.
The marble floors gleamed under the chandelier's light, every reflection reminding me that I was crossing a line I could never return from. Laughter floated through the hall, elegant and rehearsed. The kind that didn't reach the eyes.
My palms were cold, my heartbeat uneven. Dafa walked slightly ahead of me, his posture relaxed but his jaw tight, like a man walking into a storm he already expected.
People turned as we entered. The whispers started almost immediately; soft, sharp, curious. I could feel every gaze on us, questioning, judging, trying to piece together what they were seeing.
At the far end of the room, Lev stood among the guests, perfectly composed in his tailored suit. His expression faltered when he saw me, and then his eyes caught Dafa beside me.
The silence that followed was deafening.
I froze. Every cell in my body screamed to step back, but my mother appeared beside him before I could move.
Her face lighting up with relief when she saw me.
"There you are, Alayna!" she said, her voice filled with warmth. "Come, dear, everyone's waiting. The ceremony will begin soon."
Her voice was soft. The kind that could melt anger if not for the chaos inside me.
I swallowed hard, forcing a small smile for my mother. "Alright, Mom. I'm coming."
My mother lead me to stand beside Lev. All family gather arround. And ceremomy was started.
"I thought you'd run away," Lev whispered behind my ear, his tone smooth. Too smooth like silk hiding a blade.
A chill traced down my spine. His breath brushed my skin, familiar yet foreign, a reminder of everything I was about to destroy.
I didn't look at him. I couldn't. My eyes found Dafa instead. He's standing among the guests now, half hidden behind the crowd, his gaze steady and unreadable.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to shrink to just the three of us; me, Lev, and the man who had just agreed to turn my life upside down.
Then the head of the Halton family began to speak. Mr. Haris Halton. The man who by law and custom, would soon become my father in law. His deep voice cut through the murmurs, commanding the attention of everyone present without raising its volume.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began as his eyes sweeping the crowd, "we are gathered here to celebrate the union of two families."
Mr. Haris Halton stepped forward, his eyes briefly meeting my parents' before scanning the room with calculated authority. Every movement, every pause, carried the weight of a man accustomed to control.
For a fleeting moment, his sharp eyes flicked toward me, assessing, measuring, before returning to my parents.
"Mr and Mrs Adams, In front of everyone I'm asking your daughter Alayna Sandra for my son Lev Halton."
My father straightened, clearing his throat as the room fell into expectant silence. His voice was steady, but carried a weight that made every word resonate.
"You honor us, Mr. Halton," he said, as glancing briefly at my mother before returning his gaze to Haris. "Alayna is our daughter. So we give our blessing for her, and for the union you seek today."
A brief pause followed, the room hanging on his words. Then my mother added softly, her hand tightening around mine, "May this marriage be guided by respect, love, and understanding."
All eyes turned back to Mr. Haris, awaiting his next move, as the ceremony teetered on the edge of tradition and the unexpected.
"Alayna Sandra," he continued, his tone formal, deliberate, "you are now joining the Halton family. May your union be prosperous, honorable, and lasting."
My pulse thundered in my ears, my throat tight with the weight of expectations, the unspoken judgments, and the history that now hung over me like a shadow. I swallowed hard, trying to anchor myself against the storm of scrutiny.
The room held its breath as the moment arrived for the exchanging of rings. A small cushion was brought forward, embroidered with gold thread that gleamed under the chandelier lights.
Lev stepped forward, taking the ring, but just as his fingers were about to touch mine, I pulled my hand back. The room fell silent for a heartbeat, all eyes on us.
"Alayna?" his mother's voice sounded slightly anxious, though still polite.
I looked at Lev, my breath catching. "I can't marry you, Lev."
Everyone froze. Whispers rippled through the hall like a sudden gust of wind.
"Alayna? What have you just said?" my mother's voice cracked, a mix of disbelief and worry. Her eyes searched mine as if trying to find the child she raised in the stranger standing there.
"I can't marry him," I repeated, my voice steadier this time.
Lev's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing in hurt and disbelief. "What are you doing? Are you trying to embarash me in front of people?" he demanded, his tone low but dangerous.
"What do you expect? I can't marry you after what you have done."
Gasps echoed through the hall. My mother's hands flew to her mouth, I could hear it trembling. "Alayna… this isn't how it's supposed to be…"
Lev's face twisted in anger. "You're making a mockery of this family! Of me!" His voice rose, sharp and accusing. "Do you even understand what you're doing?"
I met his gaze. "I do. I can't sacrifice myself for a lie."
The crowd's murmurs swelled, some shocked, some outraged, some curious.
"You can't cancel this marriage. There is concequencies if you do it remember? The relationship of the two family will be over."
"Who said i will cancel this marriage?"
"You won't? So why are you making scene now?"
"I will fullfill my family's promise. I will still marry the son of Halton's when I turn 21. But that son is Dafa Halton."
Lev's eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and fury flashing across his face. "You… what?"
Dafa stepped forward.
"As you heard. She doesn't have to marry anyone she doesn't want to. I'm giving her that choice. And I'll stand by it."
The room seemed to hold its breath, all eyes locked on us.
Whispers rose and fell like waves, guests frozen in shock. My mother's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide, searching mine for understanding.
Lev's face drained of color. "This… this is impossible! You... how dare you?!" he barked as he clenched his fists.
Dafa didn't flinch. He stepped slightly closer to me, a protective shield, his green eyes fixed on Lev. "It's not impossible," he said evenly. "It's happening. If anyone has a problem with it, they'll have to deal with me."
Lev's jaw clenched, his face pale with anger. "This… this is outrageous! You can't. She's supposed to marry me!"