Honeymoon Announcement

~~On the Ride~~

It was a long and painful journey. Every mile felt like an eternity, as she was forced to sit next to the person who had betrayed her.

He grabbed her wrist tightly, his grip like a vise around her frail bones.

"You're hurting me Garret!", Peony's teary eyes sparkle under the looming city lights. She flinched and pulled away, but he held firm.

He ignores her. She tried to wriggle free, but the more she moved, the tighter his grip became.

The car ride was long and uncomfortable, the silence punctuated only by occasional sharp words as she struggled to suppress her anger and hurt.

As she looked out the window, seeing the miles of the road stretched out before her, she could not escape the feeling that she was trapped in a prison of her own emotions. The journey seemed to drag on forever, as she felt tortured with every breath.

Mackerel, seated beside Garret, couldn't ignore the distress in the car. "Hey! What are you doing? Let her go!"

He tensed a bit but he didn't let go of her wrist. "I'm teaching her a lesson! You stay out of it." he snarled, tightening his grip even more.

"Garret! It's true that the gown didn't fit me. I really wanted to wear it. But... ", She whined, her gaze locking onto him with an apologetic sweetness.

"Dear husband, please understand me, please...I will listen to you every other time. Don't be angry with me, please."

Despite his rudeness and hostility, she managed to charm him with her honeyed words and bewitching smile.

He listened to her, his resolve slowly weakening as she kept up her charming and sweet actions. Slowly, he released the grip on her hand, his heart softening as he took in her honeyed words. He found it difficult to keep resisting her, and soon he felt completely disarmed. She had successfully won him over with her sweet words and actions, and he found himself powerless before her. She had achieved her goal of making him let go and breaking free of his grip.

The car pulled up outside the restaurant, its engine turning off with a soft click. The doors opened, and everyone stepped out, the warmth and light of the restaurant beckoning them in after a long day.

Mr. Gonzalez calls Peony to his side.

He lowers his tone and warns, "My dear daughter-in-law, it's been a while."

"Indeed it is my father-in-law."Peony forces out a smile.

He continues, "Look, I don't want to hurt you, but if you try to run, I'll make your life miserable. Don't forget you have a mother back home."

She is terrified and distraught, fearing for her mother's safety.

Peony tried to maintain her composure, but her fear and anxiety were barely contained. She felt helpless and trapped, unable to contact her mother.

She forces herself to ask, "What do you mean Father-in-law? I'm obedient. I never thought of leaving him. Why are you threatening me?"

Mr. Gonzalez gestured toward a group of reporters outside the restaurant, his smile never wavering. "Continue with this act, and don't get carried away," he warned.

The reporters seem to be eagerly waiting to publish news of this supposedly rich and happy family.

She attempts to project more confidence in her stance, but her internal unease remains strong. Peony continues to worry about her mother's safety and her inability to contact her. She feels completely helpless and trapped in her situation. If there was indeed a balcony in front of her, Peony can't help but wonder if she would jump to escape this miserable situation. But she was on her own in this selfish and horrible family.

~~TrizPlanet Restaurant & Bar~~

At the restaurant for a family dinner, Peony puts on a brave face and tries to hide her inner turmoil and anxiety. She wants to appear strong and confident in front of her husband and the rest of the family.

Peony tries to show off the picture-perfect family to the world, but inside, she is filled with conflict and worry. She feels trapped and helpless in the Gonzalez family, and her desire to escape only grows stronger. Peony puts on a brave face, but deep down she is fighting a losing battle against her emotions and her desire to be free.

Reporters gathered to snap pictures, but it was a brief 5-minute session.

Finally they resume with their dinner.

Mr. Gonzalez wipes his face and asks his son and daughter-in-law how they are enjoying their dinner.

Garret responds, "It's delicious, father! Peony has a great taste when it comes to food."

Peony replies to Mr. Gonzalez, "It's excellent! I'm so glad I married into a family that knows my preferences! I love everything!"

Mrs. Gonzalez cuts in, "Peony, I'm glad to see you're enjoying everything, but you mustn't fill your plate too much. It makes you look greedy and unattractive."

Peony responds to Mrs. Gonzalez's remark with a hint of sarcasm, "Thank you for your concern, mother-in-law. I'm glad to have you as my mother-in-law guiding me through everything."

Mrs. Gonzalez looked at Peony in annoyance but brushed it off, focusing on the bigger picture.

Mr. Gonzalez stood up, clinking his glass to garner everyone's attention. "I have some good news to share with you all," he announced, holding everyone's attention.

Peony smiled at Garret, nervously awaiting Mr. Gonzalez's revelation.

"Peony and Garret are embarking on their honeymoon trip tomorrow. To mark this occasion, I am bestowing upon my daughter-in-law a diamond bracelet, a cherished heirloom passed down through generations."

Peony's heart failed to swell with joy as it should for a newlywed. Instead, she felt anxious and betrayed, unaware of the surprise honeymoon. She couldn't believe she'd be spending her honeymoon with a cheater and felt ridiculous. Peony was frustrated and disappointed, her emotions dampening the happiness she should have felt if not for Garret's betrayal.

She looks around at the cheering family and guests, feeling overwhelmed and miserable. The entire evening has been ruined by their actions, and Peony feels miserable and trapped.

Peony did her best to mask her true feelings, pretending to be happy for the crowd. She expressed gratitude to the family for the restaurant's crows outside, all the while worrying about her mother's safety. Conflicted, she battled her emotions and weighed the risks of speaking out.

Ultimately, Peony continued to put on a brave face and tried to enjoy the celebration despite the dark cloud hanging over her.

She smiled throughout the occasion, gladly accepting the gift from Mr. Gonzalez.

Amidst the celebratory atmosphere and the elaborate charade, a solitary figure in an impeccably tailored black suit sat unnoticed in a dimly lit corner of the restaurant. His sharp eyes remained fixated on Peony, his expression a complex mixture of intrigue, sorrow, and betrayal.

He couldn't help but mutter to himself, his voice laced with a bitter undertone, "Well, well, Peony. Once again, you couldn't find it in yourself to trust me."