...Even if you are not here but your very existence resides deep within my soul- A source of Salvation for me...

Evelyn POV:-

"SHAWN!!"

I heard Aunt Kyla's voice.

“What the-” Adrian paused, we both turned to them, perturbed immensely by the sudden scream, gaining attention.

Uncle was on the ground panting heavily. We rushed to his side, worried about his condition.

"Father!" Both brothers yelled and began to rub Uncle's hand.

"Adrian! Call an Ambulance!" Lawrence said, panicking.

Adrian nodded and stood up to call an ambulance. Father also came and bent and held Uncle's hand.

"Edward... Everything is ruined..." Uncle said as tears formed a screen in his eyes.

Looking at him like that I also began to cry.

“Uncle…” I sniffled, worried about his worsening state.

I have never seen him cry before looking at him like that breaks my heart. Father began to rub Uncle's back.

"Don't worry, Shawn. I am here." Father said reassuringly.

"Nothing can save it... No one can save my lost respect now.."

Uncle was panting heavily as his face was filled with tears. Lawrence and Adrian are also at the verge of crying.

"Don't say that, Father!" Lawrence finally broke and cried.

Looking at them my heart sank as uncontrollable tears fell from my eyes.

“Please, Uncle, be alright. Don’t say it.” I whispered, tensed.

Lawrence and Father helped Uncle to move and shifted him to a room. My crying mess form walked towards Adrian's extremely stressed form.

"What happened, Adrian? Did you call?" I asked, tensed..

".. There's too much traffic out there. I have called our family doctor instead of the ambulance. He'll be here at any moment.." He said running his hands in his hair.

I looked down and wiped my tears. “How could this happen? Why?” I whispered, leaning back, wiping my tears.

"How can this happen, Evelyn!?” He raised his voice, slamming his hand on the wall, startling me for a second.

“A-Adrian?” I called him hesitantly.

“Everything was going as it should. Soon Brother was about to get married. Everything was going so smoothly and perfectly.” He growled, turning his head away for a second then back at me.

My heart raced at his intense stare, What happened to him?

“I was about to fix things. Make everything right but now it’s just falling apart.” Adrian said as a tear released from his eye.

“Fix what?” I asked softly, holding my dress.

“What I should have, the dreams I broke.” He whispered, taking a step towards me.

“I-I don’t understand.. W-what are you talking about.” I stuttered, turning my head away.

Looking at this wreaking havoc made me dejected. I wish I could do something to help.

“Adr-” I was about to call but he curled his hand in a fist.

“Let’s pray Father recovers quickly.” He breathed out. My lips formed a thin line as I nodded.

“What were you going to say?” I asked.

"Leave it. It’s neither time nor situation. Where's my father?" Adrian asked, turning his head away for a second, disappointment flashing in his eyes.

"Father and Lawrence shifted him in a room." He nodded as we both went to the room.

Uncle is in a crying mess form. Everyone was trying to calm him. I can't look at him in this turmoil. I couldn't bear to stand there, so I walked out and resisted my urge to cry at his vulnerable state.

After a while, The doctor came. He examined Uncle and gave him an analgesic and a few medicines.

"What happened doctor?" Aunt asked.

"He had an anxiety attack. He's already a heart patient. Such attacks are not good for him." Doctor said.

"But what caused it?" Adrian asked.

A deadly silence fell upon the room. I shivered at this. I wonder what happened. After a few seconds, the doctor nodded and left.

I stood there dumbfounded about what happened. Aunt called Lawrence and took him somewhere. Adrian and mother stayed with the uncle as Father took me somewhere.

"What happened, father?" I asked.

"Evelyn. Save my brother." Father said, crying. I gulped apprehensively, receiving a bad omen by his word and asked,

"Tell me, Father, what happened?" A truly terrific sensation is surging through me.

"Lawrence's future wife, Emerald, ran away..." Father said, still crying. I was stiff upon hearing this. Just a few moments ago.

I was teasing Lawrence and now. I tried to speak but couldn't. Maybe I understood what father's going to say next and deep in my heart I begged it to be a lie.

"Please Save my brother. Who knows what will happen when he's gonna wake up. Please Marry Lawrence. That's the only thing that can save my brother" My mind went blank.

I lost my senses. A shallow breath escaped my lips. The feeling that is evoked within me at that moment is inexplicable. I lost my strength as I almost fell on the ground. My eyes widened in horror, shuddering in fright, heart bursting in agony.

‘Marry Adrian's Brother?’

Tears rolled onto my cheeks without any control over them. Before my mind could comprehend what was happening. I heard my father's voice again which shook my very core,

"Please Evelyn. I am begging you. Save my Brother. I beg you, please."

My hazy mind drowns in the pool of guilt when I see my father begging me.

No matter what I felt but I can't let it happen. My feelings aside, I can't let my father, who has done so much for me, beg me.

I never begged him and he joined his hands and begged me to save his brother. I felt heartbroken looking at my father like that.

“F-Father?”

I am not that heartless that for my feelings I would let my uncle die. Maybe it's destiny's path to torment me more by being a part of his life yet being so far from him.

Uncle is like a second father to me. I can't let it happen.

“P-Please don’t cry. I will do it for you. Please don’t do this.” I whispered, kissing his hand.

“Oh, Thank you, Evelyn. Thank you so much.” He cried, hugging me. I have never seen my Father this desperate before and it shattered my heart.

I mustered some courage and stood up. My trembling legs walked toward the room. My quivering lips let out a shaky voice as I bent on the floor and held Uncle's hand.

"Uncle.." Uncle looked at me and said in a croaked voice.

"Evelyn... Why me? Why my Lawrence? Everything's shattered."

"No, it's not.." My voice came out like a whisper. Father came in and said,

"Shawn. I have a proposal for you." I closed my eyes and let out tears. Uncle let out an empty laugh and said,

"Nothing can save my lost respect now, Edward..." I felt like Uncle had smiled at me and I am too broken to pay attention to it.

"I would like to ask for your Son Lawrence's hand in marriage for my Daughter Evelyn."

…Your life with me is my deepest treasure…

Evelyn POV:-

"I would like to ask for your Son Lawrence's hand in marriage for my Daughter Evelyn."

Uncle's eyes widened as I shut my eyes more tightly and let out a silent tear, forcing out a trembling smile to pretend it’s okay.

"You don't have to marry me, Evelyn," Lawrence said. My father's statement surprised everyone.

"Yeah, Evelyn, You are like my daughter. You don't have to. I don't want to force you." I sniffed as I wiped my tears.

"It's alright. I am not that heartless." I stood up and gave a cold look to Adrian who stood there absolutely stunned, staring dead into his eyes with this sentence.

"If I have to swallow my eternal feelings to save you..."

I then looked at Uncle and smiled.

"I'll gladly do it."

My answer shocked everyone in the room. No one expects me to say something like that.

"Evelyn..." Uncle began to say.

"How can I ever thank you," Uncle said wiping his tears.

"I am your daughter. How can I call myself your daughter if I can't do that much for you." I smiled sadly.

Uncle kissed my forehead. I wiped my tears as my Aunt And Mother left the room to get me ready for my marriage to the brother of my childhood love...

I don't know what I have done is right or wrong but, I know for sure that I couldn't let my father beg me and my uncle to die like that.

As for my feelings, Adrian already broke them. I don't think mine and Lawrence's marriage might work but, there's nothing I can do about it.

I shiver at the thought.

"Sister in the law of my lifetime love"

My heart began to beat at an abnormal pace as I lost myself. I accepted my defeat against those cruel and merciless games of fate. I lost.

With crushed dreams and a heavy heart, I agreed to marry the elder brother of the person who stole my heart years ago...

Adrian POV:-

"If I have to swallow my eternal feelings just to save you”

‘Please, No. I beg you, Evelyn. Take your words back. Please.’

“I'll gladly do it," Evelyn said.

When I heard those words, I felt like an arrow had pierced my heart. Like I am crumbling slowly. My mind went blank.

I couldn't comprehend what's happening around me. I never liked Evelyn so what is this feeling of heartbreak?

I can’t even stand in the room, so I walked out, ignoring the weird looks everyone gave me.

I know Evelyn loves me, Evelyn knows she loves me.

‘Then how come she could marry my brother!?’

And now she is soon to be the bride of my brother. How awkward this situation could get. I just know that it's my fault.

If I accepted her feelings at that time, this wouldn't happen. But I couldn't accept her feelings, she was like a family to me and I seriously don't think that my father would allow me to date the daughter of his dearest brother.

And to be honest, I never thought about her from that perspective until she confessed.

“Dammit!”

And everything was blank after she confessed, from my feelings to thoughts, all of them changed.

Keeping these thoughts in my mind, I reject her. I neglected her feelings and broke her heart miserably-even though I don't want to.

“You can’t do this…” I whispered, shutting my eyes.

Ever since I broke her heart I felt guilty about it. I began to feel things about her I wasn't supposed to feel.

But now, there is nothing between us and she is nothing but my Sister-In-Law.

Even if my heart stabs to say that but it's all my fault and I vow to myself I would never think about my future Sister-In-Law like that.

....I ruined everything just by my stupidity...

Lawrence POV:-

I was stiff when Evelyn agreed to marry me. Why is she destroying her life just to save our lost respect?

“This has to be a sick joke.” I scowled, kicking the table, breaking its mirror when me and Father were left alone.

“Goddammit!” I cursed, kicking it again until it shattered, losing my mind in utter rage.

I felt like I was responsible for what happened. I have devastated not one but two lives. I can see that Evelyn doesn't even want to marry me yet still she agreed just for us.

“Are you happy now?” I growled at my Father who looked down in shame, loosening my tie, cursing under my breath.

“Brother, calm down.” Adrian also entered, trying to soothe me.

“Breaking things won’t help you.” He whispered, motioning to me to calm down.

“How could this happen, Adrian? I agreed to marry Emerald, I was ready to do everything but what is Evenlyn’s fault in this? What does she have to do with my trouble?” I asked, tone softening.

Hating myself for ruining her life.

Evelyn is truly something. I am sure her heart is made of gold. She is such a selfless girl.

“She is an embodiment of a kind-hearted person. She didn't even think about her and agreed for marriage.” I whispered, holding my head.

“So you will truly marry her? Isn’t there any other option?” He asked vaguely.

“If you have done, then tell me as well.” I replied in the same tone.

I was lost in my thoughts as my father called, "Lawrence, I need to talk to you alone and Adrian, tell the guests the marriage will continue soon."

Adrian stood still. He must be shocked as we all are.

"Adrian?" Father called him again.

"Yeah?" He said in a vague tone. What happened to him now? Even I am not that lost.

"Tell the guest marriage will continue soon and apologize for the delay," Father instructed him as he nodded and left.

“Lawrence.” Father motioned me to come closer, I came closer and bent on my knees and held father's hand.

“Yes, Father?” I asked in a calm tone. Even though I want to say a lot of things to him that it's his fault this all happened but I didn't.

"Lawrence, I am sorry son. I shouldn't have arranged you in marriage. It's all my fault. You have all the right to be furious.” He said, guilt-ridden.

“None of it matters now.” I sighed, lowering my head.

“I ruined not only yours but also Evelyn's life." Father said with his head down in shame. I wanted to comfort my father but I couldn't, I just couldn't think of any words for his comfort. What he is saying is true.

"I am sorry, Son.." Father said once again. My grip tightened on his hand as I passed him a reassuring smile.

"It's alright, Father. I just want you to be with us. Never leave us, We are nothing without you." I kissed my father's hand.

“If that’s what you want, I will do it for you.” I said sincerely.

He petrified me. The thought of losing him frightened me without any extent and today I felt like my whole being stopped when he had that anxiety attack.

Father put his other hand over mine and began to say,

"Listen, Lawrence, I know both of you don't like each other. I know she is nothing but family to you. But now, After your marriage, she is your everything. You have to take care of her and respect her feelings.” He advises what I already know.

“Give her some space and time. I am sure your marriage will work. But remember one thing carefully, She is your Responsibility. Protecting her, Caring her, Loving her, Helping her, Respecting her and all those things; you'll have to do it. Okay, Son?"

"I promise father, I'll take great care of Evelyn and will try my best to be a good husband, to provide her with happiness." I passed a faint smile to Father and stood up.

‘Even though you don't want to be my wife but I promise I'll fulfill my every duty as your husband and ensure you won’t regret marrying me.

…I am burning endlessly in my misery. You threw me into that dark abyss so mercilessly. And this is caused by nothing but the fire of my love....

Evelyn POV:-

I look at my reflection in the mirror and in that reflection there's anything but me. An aristocratic woman with a cold heart torn into pieces stood there.

A void girl with exhaust feelings.

“Am I doing the right thing?” I whispered under my breath.

What am I feeling right now is beyond anyone's understanding- even mine. I don't know what I am thinking or what I should be thinking. I just know that I saved lives by destroying my own.

From outside, I looked like an exquisite lady with graceful and ravishing looks. But from inside, I feel like my fragmented heart is in a desolate place all alone in despair with no one to save it.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment to escape from my world and remembered the anguish I felt in all those years because of him.

***

I was 8 years old and was sitting in the hall and mother said, "Evelyn, Go get ready your uncle is coming for dinner."

"So?" I said monotonously, it's not even a new thing for me that uncle is coming for dinner.

"Fine stay here." Mother sighed and said that as she left for the kitchen.

Later, when I walked down the stairs for dinner I saw Adrian and Lawrence there. Adrian is 2 years older than me while Lawrence is 4 years older than me.

When I looked at Adrian my heart began to beat so loudly as I felt butterflies in my stomach. I quickly ran to my room and wore my favorite Blue frock and combed my hair.

“Hey Everyone…”

I walked down and greeted everyone with a smile and in my usual decent manner. During dinner, just meaningless eye contact with him made my heart skip a beat.

Whenever I saw him, a sweet feeling of something inexplicable used to rush in my veins, I treasure those emotions with whom I grew up.

A feeling of elation gushed through me whenever we met or I just caught a glimpse of him. With those immense feelings, I grew up.

Watching him from afar and loving his one sight, desiring nothing but to talk and see him.

When I turned 19 I couldn't take it anymore and decided to confess to Adrian. I and Adrian were standing on the rooftop of his house.

"Adrian, listen, I have liked you ever since our childhood and I still do," I said with my eyes shut.

My heart was beating so fast as it could leap out of my chest. An unpleasant feeling filled me when I opened my eyes. Adrian stared at me for a second and sighed.

"Look, Evelyn. I don't feel the same for you. You're just like a family." I nodded while my heart was being frayed, I passed him a faint smile.

"I understand." I said as I left.

Okay, I understand that he doesn't like me but at least he should think about it. He broke my years of fondness in mere seconds but I can't blame him if he doesn't feel the same.

I cried to myself all night that day. After a few days of it, I tried to talk to Adrian again but the way he talked to me.

I realized that I am an idiot to fall for someone like him and from that moment I swear to myself that I'll show him that I am happy without him and I don't even need him.

“Forget it, Evelyn. Forget it.”

I will try my best to neglect him and in accomplishing that task I spent countless nights- crying to myself.

Even if I show to the world that I am happy; I am not.

I am weak and a coward who wants to run away from reality. That's why at night when I am alone I let out my feelings.

After it I tried a lot to talk to him about it, trying to sort things out, even 'beg' for a chance but he never took pity. I was willing to do anything but he didn't, breaking my building emotions terribly.

And now I am 22, three years ever since then. And from that moment I am trying my best to remove those feelings, the emotions which made me to be a slave of my vulnerability.

Wanting to move on from him and forget the stain of desperation but couldn't...

***

I opened my eyes slowly as I felt someone's hand on my head. I saw my mother with a smile.

"I am so proud of you." She said, She then kissed my forehead and began to say;

"Evelyn, I know this marriage is too sudden and you are not even ready but, remember one thing my child, you are going to be his wife and from now on he is your everything.” She explained the most obvious part.

“You have to take care of him and respect him.” She guided.

“I know.” I nodded weakly.

“Lawrence is a great man. I am sure that he'll prove himself to be an embodiment of a husband."

I just closed my eyes due to the dread building up inside of me. How can I love Lawrence?

How are we going to work it out?

"And you are looking so beautiful in that dress." Mother complimented.

"Indeed she is." Aunt Kyla joins the conversation too. I looked at her as she passed me a sad smile and said.

"We all are truly thankful to you. But my love, you don't have to do it just for us."

I passed her a faint smile and said, "You have called me your daughter and I can do it for you at least."

She also kissed my forehead, "And we will treat you like our daughter."

I simply looked down and saw my reflection in the mirror for the last time.

I wore a silver gown embroidered with pure silver. It is a sleeveless gown. I wore a heavy matching necklace with it. It was a lavishing gown.

It's a tradition of the Bayford family that has passed down for generations that the bride of the first son will wear this dress.

I never thought I would wear this. The traditional Dress of the Bayford family all along with that traditional jewelry.

I looked exceptionally charming in that. Looking at myself, I can easily tell that I am looking irresistible.

And with those beguiling looks and an enervated heart filled with dismal. I walked towards those gates of misery and despair.

I stood outside the hall with my father. He kissed my hands and said.

"You are looking so beautiful just like your mother looked at our wedding."

I looked at my father with wide eyes. He never said anything like that before.

Mother blushed and looked away as I smiled at them. Father then gave me a side hug.

"I am so grateful to you Evelyn." I hugged father back and passed him one of my rare smiles. Mother gave me a bouquet of roses.

I looked down as mother put the veil over my face. My eyes which were void of every emotion didn't even lift themselves.

I slowly walked in and all eyes fell upon me. My throat dried. My legs lost their strength as I feel like I'm gonna fall anytime. My heart began to thump very loudly for I don't know what for.

“Calm down, calm down.” I let out shallow breaths and my hands turned ice cold. My walk towards the altar was slow but to be honest, I didn't even want it to end. I am scared as hell.

I lifted my gaze a little and my eyes met with the last person I wanted to see. Adrian.

He gave me a sympathetic look and turned his head away. That moment I felt a raging fire in my heart- for the first time.

I gulped for the last time as my grip on my father's arm tightened. I want to run far away or at least make it a dream. Like something like that never happened.

We reached the altar and no matter how much I don't want to let go of my father's arm, I still let it go.

I know that if I refused, my father would never force me to marry but I can't say no to him, At least not when he is begging me.

I took a final deep breath and put my hand over Lawrence as he offered me to take his hand. Lawrence's eyes flicker with an intense look filled with guilt and sadness. He is also suffering.

My eyes met him for a brief moment and at that moment I can see that he's also falling apart like me; just distinctively. But there was something else present there in his eyes too.

It's almost like he is crumbling because... ‘I am falling apart?’