“If you really want to take responsibility, then marry Sofia.” Sarah said this in answer to Naro’s question about what she wanted.
Naro wasn’t the only one shocked. Edwin and Meira were, too. However, Naro’s parents simply remained silent. There was no sign of annoyance, let alone anger, and no attempt to protect their son.
“This can’t be right, Mrs. Sarah. I did hit your daughter. But I’ve already shown my good faith by taking responsibility. I even offered compensation money for your entire family. And now … you want me to marry your daughter? What kind of insanity is this?”
Naro couldn’t just sit there and say nothing. This had gone too far. How could someone hit another person and then be ordered to marry her?
“All right, then. I suppose I have no choice. I’ll speak to the media. I saw several reporters outside when your parents arrived. Fine. I’ll go meet them,” Sarah threatened before turning to leave the room.
Edwin, who had been silent all this time, now blocked Sarah’s path.
“Please calm down, Mrs. Sarah. We can talk this through. Naro, come on ….” His gaze shifted to his son.
“Dad! This makes absolutely no sense. You’re really willing to watch Naro get married like this?” Naro desperately hoped his father would defend and protect him, just this once. He knew that wasn’t in line with Edwin’s firm principles about everything. But marriage? Good God. It hadn’t even crossed his mind.
Edwin drew Naro a little to the side to talk. He didn’t want Sarah to hear what he was about to say. Understanding her husband’s intention, Meira approached Sarah and tried to persuade her to calm down.
“Naro, please. Do what she wants. Do you want your dad’s name ruined because of this mess?” Edwin pleaded in a low voice.
“But, Dad, how could I possibly get married for a reason like this? I don’t even know her.” Naro’s voice came out in a squeak.
“Then are you really willing to let all my plans and hopes fall apart just like that, huh?” Edwin clearly had no intention of giving up on Naro. He couldn’t let the good name he had protected for years be destroyed in the blink of an eye.
Naro fell silent. He was irritated with Edwin, who only ever thought about his business and political career.
“Marry that girl. Get her well as quickly as possible. You can divorce her once she’s fully recovered,” Edwin whispered, suggesting an idea just as absurd as Sarah’s. Marriage was sacred, no matter what. It couldn’t be treated like a game, let alone used to keep Edwin’s reputation from being tarnished.
Naro stared at Edwin strangely. Yet the next second, part of him found himself agreeing with the idea. He could take Sofia abroad for treatment so she would recover quickly. After that, he could be free.
The young man, whose face had been drawn with worry all this time, remained silent for a few moments. Then he walked to the middle of the room, where Sarah and Meira were standing. Edwin walked beside him.
“All right. I … will marry Sofia. But … keep this private. No wedding, no celebration of any kind,” Naro said, sighing repeatedly. The pressure made his chest feel tight.
Sarah’s face immediately lit up. It didn’t matter if Naro didn’t want a wedding. That wasn’t what she really wanted anyway.
A flood of money. That was what occupied her thoughts now.
“All right. I agree. But remember, you still have to take responsibility for my family, too,” Sarah replied, staring at Naro even more viciously than before.
When it rains, it pours. That was probably the perfect phrase for Naro’s situation. The man had to marry a girl he didn’t love—he didn’t even know her. Now he also had to support her family. However, there was nothing he could do now except submit and accept it. There was no point asking Edwin to stop Sarah. That man only ever thought about himself.
“Okay. Everything’s settled now. Naro will marry Sofia once she wakes up.”
“No. Please give me three days to prepare myself,” Naro pleaded. Naiva. He had to find a reason that wouldn’t hurt her.
“Okay. No problem. But don’t take any longer than the time you mentioned,” Sarah replied. She pretended to be annoyed, but her heart was still screaming with joy.
“All right, I’ll prepare everything. As my son wishes, this wedding will be private. So only you and your immediate family may attend. We’ll do the same. Immediate family only.” Meira clarified the agreement. No less cunning than her husband, the woman smiled at Edwin, Sarah, and Naro.
And so, the night came to an end. The four of them had reached an agreement and given their consent. Yet behind it all, new plans were taking shape in the minds of the three adults. Sarah, Edwin, and Meira were all in positions that benefited them. Edwin and Meira most of all. Naro’s parents had already begun imagining a new hope unfolding before their eyes. And they … couldn’t wait for that day to come.
Naro returned home with an extremely troubled expression. It wasn’t just his appearance—his heart was in turmoil because of the agreement, too. How could he marry Sofia? The thought of living under the same roof as a woman he didn’t even know … it was incredibly frustrating. And then there was the problem with Naiva. She would definitely be angry and would never agree to this idea.
Sure, as Edwin had suggested, this marriage was only a cover to keep Sarah quiet. But would Naiva understand that?
Naro kept thinking until morning arrived. He didn’t sleep for even a minute. He kept racking his brain for a good reason that would help Naiva understand his situation. His head throbbed painfully from it.
The hands on his bedroom wall clock had reached six. Naro was sure Naiva was already awake and getting ready for work. She still worked as an employee at a prestigious financial company. They had met while they were both students at the same university. They grew close and became friends, then made their relationship official in their third year together.
Naro picked up the phone he had deliberately turned off since yesterday from his nightstand. He switched it on and opened his messaging app. As expected, messages began pouring in one after another until dozens of them filled the screen. Some were from friends and coworkers, including Naiva.
“Where are you, anyway? You can’t just break your promise like this, Naro!”
“I’m already at our usual café. I’ll wait until you get here.”
“Oh, God. Come on, Naro. What the hell is going on with you?”
“Okay, it’s almost midnight. I give up on you.”
Naro’s chest heaved again as he read the string of incoming messages from Naiva. He realized he had to contact her immediately and explain why he had canceled their plans the night before. He couldn’t lose Naiva just like that.