I'm in my bedroom, getting ready for tonight.
I'm sitting in front of my mirror, focused, while Mina stands beside me, busy styling my hair.
She straightens my long, silky black hair and lets it fall freely down my back. Its shine contrasts with my skin and almost gives me confidence… almost.
Meanwhile, Mom is in the dressing room, enthusiastically searching for my outfit.
But my thoughts are elsewhere.
They keep drifting back to Malik.
To everything he did.
To the fact that he used me to destroy my father, under his own father's orders.
It's horrible.
Disgusting.
I look at my mother through the mirror.
She looks so happy.
She hasn't stopped smiling.
I stand up and hug her from behind.
— Mom… you look so happy. And you're so beautiful when you smile like that.
She gently pulls away, looks at me, places a tender hand on my cheek, and smiles even more.
— You're the one who makes me this way. You made me so happy by accepting this marriage. You've fully taken on your responsibilities.
— Mom… I'd do anything for you and Dad. If I have even the smallest chance to make you happy, I'll do it without hesitation.
At those words, she hugs me tightly.
We stay like that for a few more minutes.
A few hours later, everything is finally ready.
And honestly… I was beautiful.
Really beautiful.
The dress hugged my caramel-dark skin perfectly, highlighting my curves without overdoing it.
The jewelry was simple but elegant, just enough to enhance my large, round black eyes shining under the light.
Then they leave the room, leaving me alone.
When the door closes, the silence returns.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
I start pacing, my hand clenched tightly.
My heart is beating too fast.
What if they judge me?
What if I'm not good enough?
What if Tony…
Voices rise from the living room.
They've arrived.
I close my eyes for a second, take a deep breath…
Then Mina enters.
She looks at me for a long moment and smiles.
— You don't need to stress. You're allowed to have doubts. But for now… they're waiting for us.
I nod.
Then I step out.
We pass through the kitchen to pick up the tea tray.
My hands tremble slightly when I take it.
We head toward the living room.
I enter without lifting my head.
— Good evening…
My voice is barely a whisper.
I carefully place the tray on the coffee table.
I'm about to sit beside Mina when, instinctively, I look up.
And then…
I freeze.
My breath catches.
The man.
I remain motionless, eyes wide, lips slightly parted.
— Y… you… here? I manage to say.
It's the man I met the other day at the mall.
The man stands up, followed by the others.
— Yes… it seems fate has played another trick on us, he says with a faint smile.
Everyone looks surprised.
Everyone… except my father.
Dad steps forward and places an affectionate hand on the man's shoulder.
— Esther, let me introduce you to my best friend… and your future father-in-law. Jon Arrison.
My heart skips a beat.
Future… father-in-law?
I feel a light pinch on my arm.
Mina.
She gives me a discreet encouraging look.
I step forward slowly, still in shock.
Jon smiles at me.
— See? We meet again… and this time, not as strangers.
He pauses, then adds softly:
— You look very beautiful.
I smile shyly.
— And you look very elegant.
He smiles, clearly pleased.
My eyes scan the room, searching for someone else.
— He… he's not here yet?
My father's teasing voice immediately follows.
— Stop pretending you don't understand.
— What? I ask innocently.
— Esther… he insists with a smile.
Everyone laughs.
I feel a little embarrassed.
A brief silence falls, broken by my mother.
— Jon, did you already know Esther?
— Yes, he replies calmly.
We met when she was helping a woman having an asthma attack.
I immediately feel my mother's gaze on me.
Dad doesn't seem surprised at all.
We take our seats.
Dad and Mom sit side by side on the large couch.
Jon sits in the armchair to their right and invites me to sit next to him.
Mina sits on the other couch, facing us.
At that exact moment, the doorbell rings.
Dad goes to open it.
I never would have imagined that the man I met that day would become my future father-in-law…
Life is truly full of surprises.
— So Jon, where is Elisabeth? Mom asks.
— She had to return home because of an emergency, he explains.
But she's very eager to meet you.
He looks at me and pulls out a small box.
— She sent this for you.
He hands it to me.
I open it.
Inside, a delicate, elegant necklace.
On the pendant, my name is engraved: Esther.
I'm speechless.
My heart tightens.
She doesn't even know me… and she gave me something so personal…
— It's beautiful… thank you so much, my—
He stops me immediately.
— No way you're calling me that.
— But…
— No "but."
His voice softens, almost emotional.
— I'm your father's best friend, like a brother to him. And soon, you'll be my daughter-in-law.
If you want… you can call me Dad.
Silence falls.
I'm surprised.
Touched.
A little shaken too.
— I… okay… Dad, I whisper, my throat tight.
His smile widens, his eyes shining.
Then a familiar deep voice cuts through my thoughts.
— Good evening.
I slowly lift my eyes.
Dad has entered… with him.
Tony.
My heart tightens for reasons I don't understand.
Mom rushes to greet him, glowing.
— Good evening, Tony. How are you?
— I'm fine, thank you, he replies calmly.
They exchange pleasantries as if they've known each other forever.
Tony sits in the empty armchair, facing Jon and me.
Perfectly at ease.
Too at ease.
I stay beside Jon.
I try to act natural, but my gaze keeps drifting toward Tony.
He's talking with my parents.
Relaxed. Confident.
As if this marriage doesn't concern him.
As if it's just a detail.
Then Dad speaks again.
— Esther, you can show Tony around the chalet.
My heart skips a beat.
The last thing I want is to be alone with him.
— I don't think he needs a tour… I say quickly.
Dad opens his mouth, but Tony speaks first.
— Yes. I'd like you to show me around.
I look at him, surprised and confused.
— But—
— Esther, Mom insists firmly. Go show him around.
I understand I have no choice.
I stand reluctantly.
Tony has a faint smile at the corner of his lips, as if he's already enjoying this.
I motion for him to follow me.
He does.
I show him the rooms one by one.
At first, everything is fine.
Then…
This painting is poorly placed.
Those flowers are too stiff.
This decoration is too heavy.
Every comment is a jab.
Every word calculated.
I clench my teeth.
He's doing it on purpose.
We reach the balcony.
The cool air calms me slightly.
— Do you always criticize this much? Or is it just my house? I snap.
He looks at me, amused.
— I'm honest. You should get used to it.
— You're just unbearable.
I turn to leave.
But suddenly—
He grabs my hand.
Hard.
— Hey! Let go of me!
I try to pull away, but his grip is firm.
His eyes are locked on mine.
Intense. Deep.
Then he pulls a ring out of his pocket.
I understand immediately.
— No. You don't have the right—
I don't finish my sentence before he slips the ring onto my finger.
— Now I do.
He releases my hand.
I immediately try to remove the ring.
— Damn it… it won't come off!
He smiles, clearly amused.
I thrust my hand toward him, furious.
— Take it off!
— It suits you, Mrs. Arrison.
— I don't care! Take it off! And don't ever call me that again!
— No.
And you'll get used to that name very quickly.
He steps closer.
— That way, if anyone dares come near you…
they'll know you're no longer available.
My heart stutters.
Does he know something?
— Who are you talking about? I ask.
He looks at me for a long moment.
— Everyone who thinks they can have you.
When they can't.
— You—
A voice interrupts us.
— Esther!
Mina.
— They're waiting for you in the living room.
I clench my fists and throw Tony one last dark look.
— This isn't over, I murmur.
He smiles slowly.
— I hope not.
We return to the living room.
…
The room fills with voices again, but everything feels muffled to me.
The ring weighs heavily on my finger.
Not because of its weight…
But because of what it represents.
I sit beside Mina, my hands clenched on my knees.
I feel her glance at me.
Then at him.
Tony.
He's standing, leaning casually against the back of the chair.
Relaxed. Too relaxed.
As if nothing happened.
Our eyes meet.
The air tightens.
He doesn't smile this time.
His gaze is calm. Neutral.
But something else is there.
Something dark.
Intense.
I look away first.
I refuse to give him that victory.
— Esther, my father says.
I flinch slightly.
— Yes?
— We have an announcement to make.
My body stiffens.
Tony straightens too.
— The wedding date has been set, Dad continues.
In ten days.
My world tilts.
Ten days.
— That's very soon… I murmur.
— We know, Mom says gently.
But it's necessary.
Tony speaks next, calmly:
— That works for me.
I turn to him, stunned.
— Of course it does… I whisper.
— Did you say something? Mina asks.
I shake my head.
— No.
My future father-in-law continues:
— Then it's decided.
In ten days, the marriage will be finalized… and the merger as well.
He pauses, then adds while looking at Tony:
— My son is finally getting married.
Tony doesn't even look at him.
Strange.
Dinner follows, surprisingly warm.
Tony talks with Mom like they've known each other forever.
I talk with my two dads and Mina.
Two dads…
I never imagined that.
After dinner, I go to the kitchen to prepare tea.
An idea crosses my mind.
A discreet smile forms.
I prepare a special tea for Mr. Grumpy.
A little chili.
Just enough for him to feel it.
I smile to myself, imagining his face.
Back in the living room, the seating has changed.
Dad sits beside Jon.
Mom with Mina.
Tony is on the big couch.
Mom stands up.
— Let me serve. Go sit down.
No way.
— No, Mom. I want to do it.
She doesn't insist.
I serve everyone… then Tony.
With a big smile.
Mom notices the ring.
— That ring is beautiful. You didn't have it this morning.
Before I can answer, Tony says:
— I put it on her finger.
All eyes turn to me.
Later, sitting beside him, he drinks the tea.
His eyes redden.
He coughs.
My heart races.
What have I done…
Later, outside, he says quietly:
— You had a choice, Esther.
And you chose not to run away.
— Don't talk like you know me.
— I don't need to know you to see when someone is fighting.
— You're not my enemy, he says.
— All enemies say that.
— And all those who want to hurt you pretend to love you.
I'm frozen.
— You hate me? he asks.
— I should.
He smiles.
— Then why is your heart beating so fast?
I push past him.
— Ten days, Esther.
You can push me away all you want…
but you won't be able to ignore me.
He drives off into the night.
A few seconds later, my father and Jon come out.
— Did Tony leave?
— Yes. He just left.
I say goodbye and go back inside, leaving them talking.