"Mama, this is wrong," I said, my voice shaking as I tried to remind her just how twisted this all felt. "Okay, let's say we get past my father and convince him I'm Susan. But how will I fool Elijah? There's no way I could ever make him believe that I am her."
"Your father killing us is right, then?" she shot back, frustration simmering in her voice as she grabbed the gown from the corner. I stared at her, a mixture of confusion and terror flooding my mind, picturing the consequences of her plan.
I don't want to die. That's not what I had envisioned for my life. I never planned to get married, let alone to the man my sister was promised to.
Mama stepped closer, her hands gripping my wrists tightly as she guided me to the bed. "Sit," she commanded, and I did, feeling like a marionette in her grip. "I understand, Althea, this is difficult for you, but we don't have a choice." Her voice softened, but the urgency was still there.
"I know we don't have a choice, but this isn't right, Mama!" I exclaimed, the words pouring out. "How can I explain this to you? Me marrying my sister's fiancé is wrong."
It wasn't just about Elijah. What if Susan came back? What if she demanded answers? I felt my heart race at the thought, the fear tightening around me like a noose. And my father—what would he do when he found out?
"He'd kill us even after he realizes this sham," I reminded her, desperation creeping into my voice, but I could see it didn't register with her.
"I'll handle that," she said, her tone resolute. "Your job is to get married and keep Susan's disappearance a secret. That's all you need to focus on for now."
"But I can't just erase her!" I protested, the tears spilling down my cheeks. "She's my sister! What if she comes back? What do I tell her?"
Mama's grip tightened around my wrists, her eyes fierce and imploring. "You don't tell her anything. You focus on what's important right now. If you don't do this, we all suffer. You understand that, don't you?"
The weight of her words crashed over me, a tidal wave of fear and confusion. I could feel the ground shifting beneath me, and I had no idea how to stand my ground. "This isn't who I am," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"I know," she said, her voice softening. "But sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the people we love. You're stronger than you think, Althea. You can do this."
The thought of losing myself in this deception felt unbearable, but the image of my father's wrath loomed large. If I didn't comply, we might all end up paying the price. The fear mingled with guilt, tightening my chest.
"Okay," I finally whispered, my heart heavy with dread.
Mama's expression softened, relief washing over her as she squeezed my hands. "Thank you, baby." She said, slowly walking towards the door and pointing at the gown.
I nodded slowly, my mind racing with questions and fears. Looking at the wedding gown, I felt the weight of what lay ahead—a future I never wanted, built on lies and shadows.
My heart twisted painfully in my chest as I walked toward it, my fingers trembling as I touched the soft fabric. This wasn't supposed to be mine. I wasn't supposed to be the one to wear it.
She was supposed to marry him. This was her fate.
But I am here, ready to live her fate and walk towards the man I never thought about getting close to.
And with every passing second, the weight of everything—the family's reputation, the broken promise to a man I had never met—settled over me like a suffocating cloud.
My family's life depended on this wedding. Without it, everything could crumble. And I was the one who had to make it happen, swallowing hard, I took off my own dress with shaky hands.
I didn't even hesitate before stepping into Susan's. The cool fabric slid against my skin, but it felt wrong. It wasn't meant for me, and I wasn't meant to be in it. I pulled the dress up over my shoulders, the weight of it far heavier than I expected. It pressed down on me, as though it was trying to tell me something I didn't want to hear.
But I had no choice.
The dress was a symbol of a contract, of an arrangement I had never agreed to. But the family's survival depended on it. And now, it was mine to fulfill.
I took a deep breath and moved toward the vanity, lifting the veil from the table. My reflection stared back at me, my own face obscured by the sheer fabric. I could barely recognize myself.
'Maybe this was the reason you both were born on the same day.' The words of my mother ring against my ears, making me want to puke.
The reflection of mine was not mine anymore. It was as if Susan's absence had swallowed me whole, and now I was forced to step into her shoes.
The weight of it all made my chest ache. I wasn't her. I wasn't even sure who I was anymore. But the veil hid my confusion, hiding the turmoil inside of me, and for just a moment, I let it be.
I stood there, barely able to breathe, but I knew I couldn't linger. I couldn't hesitate. Not anymore.
This was my role now. This was my responsibility.
I turned away from the mirror, my fingers tight against the fabric of the veil, as I made my way to the door. My pulse thundered in my ears as I stepped into the hallway.
'I had to do this. I had to marry him.' I reminded myself over and over as I took every step towards the life I never agreed to.
Yes, Susan had left, but the duty remained. And now, there was no one to take her place but me.