Can I not marry Ryan?

Arwen's days with Gianna passed peacefully. The only drawback was that during the period, she had to endure Gianna constantly talking about her old and handsome uncle. 

"Wennie, the breakfast is ready. Come and have it." Gianna called, setting down the last dish she had ordered. 

Arwen heard her and slowly made her way out of the room with her crutches. "You ordered it from outside again? Anna, I would have asked my butler to bring something. The chef at my place isn't bad. I have grown up on their dishes, and they are my favorites." 

"I know but we can't wait for your butler, right?" Gianna reasoned, reminding her of the distance between her place and the Quinn estate. "Besides, the place where I order food is not bad. They prepare it nicely and with care. Living alone, I have grown used to their taste. And it's healthy." 

Arwen pursed her lips at her as she pulled the chair to settle herself. "Cooking isn't tough. You should take some time to learn it." 

"Like you did for Ryan?" Gianna never held back. She loved Arwen to her core, but she always made a point to remind her that Ryan wasn't worth it. She wished her dear friend would understand that and leave Ryan-the-jerk-Foster for good. "Sorry, boss. Not happening. The man I end up with will cook for me. I am not settling for anything less." 

Arwen didn't respond. She nibbled on the sandwich, keeping a smile on her face.

Gianna sighed as she looked at her. "What? You don't have courage to admit he is not worth all that you do for him? Wennie, you know this in your heart, but you always force yourself to believe otherwise." 

"Anna, let's not discuss that now." 

Gianna shook her head. "I can't ignore it. The date is getting closer, and you are still not cancelling it. Don't tell me, on 29th, you are actually going to the Civil Affairs Bureau with him?"

Arwen looked up at her and nodded, showing no sign of disapproval. "The date has been set for the long time. I have to go with him and get the procedures done. There is no other option." 

"There is, Arwen. You are just too scared to choose it.," Gianna said, but her words failed to provoke Arwen to reconsider. "Can't you see, Arwen? It's been days since your accident and over a week since you left the hospital, yet he hasn't come to see you or even called to ask how you are doing. Does he even deserve to be your fiancé?" 

"Anna, I know you are concerned for me, but nothing you say now will change anything. The date has been decided by our families, and I can't back away and hurt my parents," Arwen said, her gaze revealing the hints of anger and disappointment.

Gianna looked at her, waiting to suggest, but Arwen raised her hand to stop her. "Let's not discuss this. Please." Though Gianna was reluctant, she agreed. 

The two had their breakfast in peace, and when they were done, Arwen phone rang. Seeing that it was her parents calling, she answered. "Dad!" 

"How is my treasure doing?" Idris Quinn asked cheerfully. He hadn't had the time to call his daughter in the recent days, and he missed her terribly.

Arwen smiled. She hadn't told them anything about her accident. Her parents were away for work, and she wanted them to complete their business in peace. Telling them about her accident might have worried them, especially her father, so, she hadn't mentioned it. "I am doing well, just waiting for your return. How is work going?" 

"Do you think anything could go wrong with your father around?" 

"Definitely not. With my Dad around, nothing can go wrong." Arwen cheered, only to hear her mother's voice next. 

"Your Dad is not all you have, Arwen. You have a mother too, you know," Catrin chimed in. 

"Mama!" 

"How are you doing? Are you eating on time?" Catrin asked, but before Arwen could even reply, she continued, "And tell me, how is Ryan? Are you two doing well? Arwen, you have to treat him well. He works so hard, and your Aunt Beca trusts you with him so much. You can't let her down." 

The smile that had appeared on Arwen's face for a split second disappeared again. She almost thought her mother was prioritizing her well-being, but once again she proven wrong. Her mother cared more for Ryan than she did for her own daughter. 

But again, Arwen couldn't complain. The friendship that her mother shared with Aunt Beca was special. Both ladies loved each other dearly. While her mother treated Ryan better than her, Aunt Beca also never treated Arwen poorly. 

"Mama, Ryan is good too," Arwen replied, answering all her mother's questions in one small sentence. 

And with the assurance that Ryan was doing great, it seemed like her mother needed to hear nothing more. She already sounded content as she said, "Great. Take care of him, Arwen. It's just a matter of a few more days, and you two will be legally married. We won't be there, but make sure you go to the Civil Affairs Bureau on time. Don't miss the date. Handle it well. I am so happy for you." 

Arwen heard her and suddenly felt anxious. Yes, the date was not far away now. She had waited for it all this time, but suddenly she felt like she lacked the courage. She knew she couldn't back out, but she wished for a chance where she could decide on her own. 

Couldn't she just have one chance? Every girl deserved to make this choice —why was she so unlucky not have one? 

When Catrin didn't hear Arwen speak for a while, she asked, "Arwen, what happened? Is everything okay?" 

"Mama, can I make a choice?" Arwen suddenly asked before adding, "Can I not marry Ryan? Can I choose it not to be him?"