The Random Bride

Ch 9: Family is everything

"I asked a question. What is going on here?" Jerome repeated after a while of deafening silence from his children.

Aaron's eyes wandered from his older brother to his sister and then to his father.

"Sarah is engaged to her boss."

Both of his older siblings threw him a glare.

"What?" Jerome's voice drew back their attention.

This time, the older man fixed his sight on his daughter. His brows had casually drawn together, and his eyes were a mixture of worry and confusion.

"It's nothing," Saint said with a discomfort chuckle. "Aaron misunderstood. Sarah is not marrying her boss. Right?" He looked at his sister, expecting her reply to follow.

She met his gaze before drifting it to her father.

"Yes," Sarah replied. Saint was about to release a sigh of relief when she continued.

"I said yes to Ramsey Blackwell."

Jerome's eyes moved from her to Saint and back to her. The furrow between his brows went deeper. "You—I... what?" Jerome stuttered.

She went to her father's side to help him walk. "Please sit down and I'll explain everything."

Soon, the Millers were all seated in their living room. Their eyes stayed glued on Sarah, anticipating her big explanation.

Sarah had to think hard. She always told herself that she would tell them the truth when the time was right. But in reality, she never thought she could find the right time and manner to break the news to them. How would she explain she was getting into a contractual marriage for financial aid? Of course, she couldn't say that. Yet, she needed to tell them something. Anything believable, especially seeing as Saint was already opposed to the idea.

"Um, Ramsey and I have been talking for some time... then he asked me to be his wife."

Sarah's eyes bounced between her father and the ground.

"I don't understand. You... Are you saying you've been dating him all this while? Since when? How—how come you didn't say anything?" Jerome looked at her with so much care in his eyes.

It was difficult for Sarah to see that so she lowered her eyes more often from him.

"Because... because..."

"Because it's not true." Saint interrupted. He'd been sitting with his arms folded across his chest.

Saint sat up, unfolding his arms as well.

"No offense Sarah but you're very naïve. He knows that and that's why it's so easy for him to use you. Do you think a man like him would sincerely ignore all the best women that exist to settle with you? Why?"

"Saint," Jerome called, followed by a look.

Sarah gulped and lifted her chin. "I know I didn't attend college. I know that I'm not the most pretty in the room. But it doesn't mean Ramsey thinks that way just because you do."

"Umm..." Aaron started as he stood on the threshold of the living room. None of them had noticed when he stood up and left.

"I have to agree with Saint on this one, sis. These guys aren't just rich." Aaron lifted his eyes to them from his phone. "They're, like, super rich. Old money, generation upon generation level rich. We're ants compared to them."

Sarah steadily sucked in a deep breath, feeling a knot in the pit of her stomach.

Sure, she knew they were wealthy but not as far as Aaron just described. A part of her has always pushed the thought about the difference in their world to the back of her mind. There was no use dwelling on it. After all, it was clear from the onset what their marriage would be about. Now, this new understanding was gradually thrusting her into a pit of fear and insecurities.