Estranged love
Chapter 2: The Escape Plan
Emily sat at the vanity, her reflection in the mirror a study in conflicted emotions. Her mother had left her alone in the room, giving her a few precious moments of solitude before the wedding procession began. The minutes felt like an eternity, stretching out before her like an open road leading to an uncertain future.
She picked up a delicate pearl necklace, a family heirloom, and felt its weight in her hand. Tradition dictated that she wear it on her wedding day, a symbol of her family's legacy. But Emily was beginning to question the value of tradition when it came at the cost of her happiness.
Her gaze drifted to the open window, where a gentle breeze stirred the curtains. It was an invitation, a whisper of freedom that tugged at her heart. She had been dreaming of escape for weeks, and now, with her wedding day upon her, the urgency of her desire burned brighter than ever.
A plan had been forming in her mind, one born of desperation and fueled by the knowledge that this might be her only chance. She knew she couldn't simply walk out of the penthouse in her wedding gown without arousing suspicion. She needed a diversion, an opportunity, and a place to disappear to.
Emily's eyes landed on the antique wardrobe in the corner of the room. It was large enough to conceal her wedding gown, and behind its heavy wooden doors, she could change into something more inconspicuous. She had packed a small bag with essentials the night before, hidden away in the depths of the wardrobe.
With resolve hardening in her heart, Emily began to strip out of the ornate gown. She changed into a pair of plain black slacks and a simple white blouse, her fingers trembling with a mixture of fear and excitement.
As she carefully stowed the wedding dress away, Emily couldn't help but think of the life she was leaving behind. Her family, the grandeur of the wedding, and the expectations that had weighed her down for so long. It was all slipping away, and she felt both liberated and terrified.
Once dressed in her makeshift escape attire, she took one last look at herself in the mirror. The girl she saw there was not the obedient bride her family had envisioned but a woman determined to take control of her destiny.
The sound of guests arriving downstairs served as a reminder that time was running out. Emily knew she had to act quickly if her plan was to succeed. With her heart pounding in her chest, she turned away from the mirror, opened the bedroom door, and stepped out into the unknown.