NowNever, Pt. 2.

I MEAN IT THIS TIME , Summerine swore as she made eye contact with her reflection. She was dressed in a bridal gown that its designer intended to launch in the upcoming Fashion Week in Paris. It was an intricate creation of silk and lace flowers, and it was just so wonderfully made that it even created a magnificent illusion of Summerine possessing a lovely semblance of cleavage.

But even so.

What good would wearing a fairytale wedding gown do when she didn't even know a single thing about her bridegroom?

It was only three weeks ago that she had fainted at his feet, and Annie had thrown a glass of ice-cold water at Summerine's face to revive her.

"You could've ruined everything for us, you idiot," her mother had hissed.

"I—-I—-"

"You're lucky Mr. Harcourt is such a pragmatic man. He's already signed the contract. Wedding banns will be posted by tonight, and a notice of your engagement will be in tomorrow's papers."

And that was that.

Ryu Harcourt hadn't come back to their home since, and without any access to a mobile phone or the Internet, Summerine hadn't been able to contact him herself. The only recourse left to her was to muster the courage to stand up to her parents.

But each time she had attempted to speak, Summerine would find herself the object of their hard gazes, her courage would flee, and that was why...

It had to be now or never.

And so she lifted her chin and practiced looking serious in front of the mirror.

Because that was important, right?

She had to look serious to be taken seriously.

Right?

Summerine's heart started thudding as soon as she made herself imagine it was her parents standing in front of her.

Mother. Father. I want to speak to you.

Her knees quaked as she imagined the derision in her parents' gazes upon hearing this.

I mean it.

And I won't take no for an answer.

Rehearsing the words already had her stomach twisting itself in knots, but Summerine somehow found it in herself to press on.

You'll probably hate me for what I have to say, and I'm sorry for that.

You probably won't forgive me either, but I can no longer just do nothing.

I'm twenty, two. I'm a full-fledged adult with a fully functioning brain.

And so there is no way I will marry someone I haven't even—-

Summerine forgot the rest of her speech when the door to the bridal suite suddenly opened.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Annie closed the door behind her, and Summerine's hands started to perspire when her mother turned to her.

"You're already three minutes late," her mother snapped. "Have we not taught you better?"

"I—-I—-"

Annie's gaze narrowed, and Summerine paled when she realized what her mother was staring at. She hurriedly unclenched her fists, but Annie's lips had already tightened in annoyance.

"Must you be so dramatic about this?"

You're making me marry a total stranger, Summerine wished she could cry out. Was that something she was supposed to celebrate in their book?

"You wouldn't even have a chance of nabbing a man like Mr. Harcourt if not for us."

Then why don't you just nab him for yourself?

Summerine was dying to throw these words at her mother.

(But you can't, can you?)

"Your father thinks I don't have to bother talking to you one last time, but that look on your face clearly proves otherwise."

Now or never, she urged herself. Speak up or hold your silence for the rest of your life!

Summerine swallowed hard. "I—-I—-"

"Don't care to hear it," her mother cut her off in a cold voice. "And if there's anyone who's going to do some listening, that would be you."

Summerine shrank back as Annie took a threatening step forward.

"Your father and I need your wedding to Ryu Harcourt to push through, and we will not let anyone get in any way," her mother hissed. "Least of all you. Are we clear on this?"

No. We're not clear on this. At all.

I'm your daughter. You're my parents.

So why are you doing this to me?