He Said I Was Too Ugly... Now I'm His Fiancée

Liam's image won't leave my mind. His voice, that simple "Liora?", still echoes in my head as I push open the door to my house — as if nothing had changed, as if the years hadn't carved an invisible chasm between us.

I can still feel that warmth in my chest, that clumsy mix of hope and silent fear.

Why is he back?

Why now, when everything around me is falling apart?

My steps are heavy as I enter the living room.

My parents are there, caught in their usual conversations, their tired eyes occasionally seeking mine but never quite reaching them.

I lower my gaze, fidget with my fingers, avoid their questions.

How could I tell them how I feel? How do I explain the storm churning inside, the silent pain I hide behind a mask of calm?

Dinner drags on.

Every bite feels like a battle.

The silence is suffocating — only broken by my mother's occasional glances in my direction, worry in her eyes, though she says nothing.

They know.

I know they know.

But no one ever really speaks.

After dinner, I retreat to my room, closing the door like a shield against the world.

I collapse onto the bed, breath shallow, tears threatening to rise.

Liam... Kaelan...

Those two names crash through my head like thunder.

Two opposite worlds, both pulling at my heart.

My phone buzzes. A message from Lucas:

"Party at Jake's tonight. You coming?"

I stare at the screen for a long moment.

The idea of a party, of escaping this weight... is tempting.

But Kaelan?

What if he's there too?

I finally type a hesitant "yes," more for myself than for anyone else.

I need to breathe.

To run.

Even for just a moment.

---

The party is a whirlwind of sound, light, and eyes.

I look for a quiet corner, a place to breathe, but the crowd presses in, making me feel even more like I don't belong.

Then she appears.

That girl — the one with the frozen smile and eyes full of quiet venom.

— "So, little fiancée, ready for some drama?"

My heart tightens.

Why does she always target me?

Why always me?

I clench my fists, refusing to show weakness.

I sense someone behind me.

Kaelan.

He doesn't speak, doesn't move — but his gaze burns with a quiet fury I don't understand.

He's jealous.

He won't show it, but I know.

---

The next day, it's the arranged photo shoot.

I'm made up, dressed in a gown that doesn't feel like me, standing next to Kaelan.

The photographer directs us, making us pose like a perfect couple.

— "Closer, Liora," he instructs.

I step in, uncomfortable, my hand brushing Kaelan's.

He glances at me, eyes intense, and murmurs:

— "You're not as invisible as you think."

A chill runs down my spine.

What does that even mean?

Why that look?

---

I'm tucked in the shadows of the Winton's living room, unable to leave despite the knot in my stomach.

Suddenly, voices erupt — violent, broken.

Kaelan, furious, yells:

— "This is unfair! I don't want this arranged marriage! You can't force me to marry someone I barely know!"

His father replies calmly but firmly:

— "Kaelan, you need to understand this alliance is important for the family. It's not up for debate."

Kaelan's fists clench, his face red with anger:

— "Did you ever ask what I wanted?! I'm not a pawn you can move at will!"

His mother tries to step in, voice soft but commanding:

— "It's not personal. It's for your future. You have to do what's right."

Kaelan lets out a bitter laugh:

— "My future? My future is freedom — not being trapped in a contract I never signed!"

Silence falls for a moment.

Then his father insists, harsher now:

— "You have responsibilities. The family is counting on you. You need to accept that."

Kaelan nearly spits the words:

— "Accept what? Pretending to be someone I'm not? Never."

My hands tremble against the wall.

So much rage. So much pain in his voice.

And then suddenly, something fragile slips through — something almost human.

— "I don't want to lose you in all this..." his mother murmurs, for once sounding broken.

Kaelan turns away, jaw clenched.

Without another word, he storms out, slamming the door behind him.

I remain frozen, my head full of questions.

Who is Kaelan really, behind that cold shell?

And me... where do I even fit into this?

I clench my fists, heart pounding.

He's angry.

At them.

At me.

At everything.

Later, I overhear voices in the kitchen.

Kaelan and his cousin Harry.

— "She's stronger than you think," Harry says.

— "I see her too much... and it bothers me," Kaelan mutters.

— "Just admit you're jealous of Liam."

— "It's not that!" Kaelan snaps.

I hold my breath, hidden in the shadows.

---

Lying in bed, silence wraps around me.

I replay the day — everything I saw, heard, felt.

I'm lost. But I'm still here.

Fragile. But standing.

Caught between a past that makes me dream

and a present that cuts too deep.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring —

but I know I can't run anymore.