There were two things Lisa disliked more than anything else: math and loud noises. Sadly for her, these two things had been constant in her life. And today, they seemed worse than ever. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life—her wedding day. But instead, it felt like a bad dream she couldn’t escape.

Lisa had spent hours getting ready for the ceremony. She’d carefully put on makeup, making sure everything was perfect. Her eyeliner was even, her foundation smooth, and her dress—long, white, and flowing—looked like something out of a fairy tale. The lace shimmered in the light, and the train followed behind her gracefully. But despite how beautiful she looked, she felt anything but happy.

Her dress, her makeup, the entire wedding—it all felt overwhelming, like she was trapped. And the worst part wasn’t the celebration or the expectations. It was the man she was supposed to marry.

Her fiancé was a math professor. He was logical, methodical, and very serious. At first, she’d thought his calm and orderly nature balanced her free spirit. But over time, that charm faded. He saw life like a math problem to solve, and Lisa began to feel like just another equation in his world. Their relationship had become an arrangement, something her family approved of more than she did.

Lisa didn’t love him anymore. In fact, she wasn’t sure she ever truly had. But that wasn’t the worst of it. Lisa was in love with someone else.

Standing near the grand entrance of her family’s old mansion, Lisa felt her stomach twist in fear. The mansion, built decades ago by her grandfather, loomed behind her with its thick stone walls and narrow windows. Inside, guests laughed and celebrated. It was a beautiful summer day, and everyone seemed so happy—except Lisa.

Lisa wasn’t going to marry the man waiting for her at the altar. She had made a decision. She was going to run away with the person she truly loved. But there was a problem. Where was he?

Her best friend, Misale, had promised to help her. He was the one person who had always been there for her, through good times and bad. He was her rock, her partner in crime, and the person she trusted most. But now, when she needed him the most, he was nowhere in sight.

“If he doesn’t show up in the next five minutes, I’ll leave on my own and yell at him later,” Lisa muttered under her breath.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

The sound of laughter from the garden grew louder. The guests were in full celebration mode. Lisa glanced at the driveway, hoping to see Misale’s car. The mansion had always been a maze of secrets—hidden doors, narrow hallways, and unused rooms. Lisa had explored every inch of it as a child. And today, she planned to use one of those secrets to escape.

Finally, she heard the sound she’d been waiting for—a car horn, sharp and clear. Lisa’s heart leapt. That was Misale’s signal.

Without wasting a moment, Lisa slipped through the mansion’s dimly lit corridors. Her dress rustled as she moved, brushing against the old stone walls. The noise of the celebration faded as she reached the hidden door her grandfather had built during World War II. It led from the mansion to the garden, and now, it would be her escape route. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.

The garden was quiet, the sounds of the party muffled in the distance. Just beyond the tall hedges, she saw Misale’s car waiting for her. Relief washed over her.

Misale leaned over and opened the passenger door. “Get in, quick.”

Lisa didn’t need to be told twice. She slid into the seat, her heart racing. As the car sped down the driveway, she glanced back at the mansion. The laughter and music grew faint as they drove away. She felt a mix of excitement and fear. Every mile they traveled took her further from the life she’d always known—and closer to the future she dreamed of.

“Are you sure about this?” Misale asked, his voice serious.

Lisa met his gaze, determination shining in her eyes. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.” Her voice trembled a little, but she meant every word. “We just have to make it to the train station without anyone stopping us.”

Misale nodded. He had planned everything. He knew where every police checkpoint was, and he was confident they could avoid them. Lisa’s family would be furious when they realized she was gone. They’d probably call the police. But if everything went smoothly, Lisa would be long gone before they could catch up.

They drove in silence for a while, the hum of the engine filling the car. Lisa looked at Misale, taking in his serious expression. His jaw was tight, and his hands gripped the steering wheel firmly. She wanted to thank him, but the words felt stuck in her throat. Instead, she reached over and lightly touched his arm.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Misale glanced at her and gave her a small, reassuring smile. “You don’t have to thank me. You deserve to be happy, Lisa.”

The train station came into view sooner than Lisa had expected. It was small and quiet, with only a few people waiting on the platform. Misale pulled up outside the entrance and stopped the car.

“This is it,” he said. “Are you ready?”

Lisa took a deep breath and nodded. “I have to be.”

She stepped out of the car, clutching the small bag Misale had packed for her. It held just the essentials—a change of clothes, her passport, and enough money to get started on her new life. The cool breeze hit her face, a sharp contrast to the warm air inside the car. Misale gave her one last nod before driving away, needing to return to the wedding before anyone noticed he was gone.

Lisa walked into the station, her heart pounding. She bought a ticket with shaky hands, constantly looking over her shoulder. She couldn’t shake the fear that someone would recognize her or that her family would arrive to drag her back. But nothing happened. Minutes later, she heard the distant rumble of the train.

As the train pulled into the station, Lisa felt a mix of relief and fear. This was it. There was no turning back now. She stepped onto the train and found a seat near the back. As the train began to move, she looked out the window, watching the station fade into the distance. Her old life was behind her now.

For the first time in years, Lisa felt free. She didn’t know what the future would hold, but she knew one thing: she would never settle for a life or a love that wasn’t real.