GAS STATION STORE / 6:00 P.M. / STORMY

Great, just great. I am stuck in this dump on my birthday. Guests are waiting at my party, and here I am, five kilometers away. Perfect. I can’t believe this is happening. The store owner, Casey, seems friendly, but I can only think about how to get home. I can’t focus on anything else.

My boyfriend, Jordan, walks in. He always tries to take control.

– Hey, sweetheart. How’s my little chick doing?

– Not great, Jordan. It’s my birthday, and we’re stuck here.

Oh, come on, pumpkin. It’s just a little storm. Don’t be such a drama queen. We’ll be out of here soon enough. Besides, there are more important things to worry about than a birthday party.

More important things, of course. Like your precious business deals.

You need to be more sensible, Emily. Not everything revolves around you, my little star.

I feel his condescension and sense of ownership over me. He always knows how to make me feel small and insignificant. I just need a moment to breathe.

– I’m going to the restroom. Need to cool off.

Walking to the restroom, I see someone in the shadows — it’s Samantha, my future mother-in-law. Just what I needed. Her presence means a conversation is inevitable.

This day keeps getting better and better. First, stuck here, and now I have to deal with her.

GAS STATION WC / 6:15 P.M.

I need to calm down. I can handle a conversation with Samantha.

– Emily! What are you doing here?

– Hi, Samantha. We got stuck here because of the storm.

She looks at me with her usual condescending smile, probably already having plans for me.

– Dear, I stopped by to get candles for your cake. I didn’t expect to see you here.

Of course, she didn’t.

– Emily, you should hurry up. We have important plans for the future.

Plans that you and Jordan have cooked up, no doubt.

– What plans, Samantha?

– Oh, just things you wouldn’t understand. Just follow along and everything will be fine.

She always talks down to me like this. I hate it.

Oh great, Samantha saw Jordan. Now she’ll run to her favorite little boy. One, two, three… and there she goes.

– Oh, Jordan’s here too! I need to talk to him immediately.

Of course, you do. Who would have doubted?

Finally, I’m alone in the restroom and can catch my breath. I need to find a way to regain control of this day. I’m so tired of Samantha dictating everything, even my birthday. She planned the party her way, not mine.

Why can’t I stand up to her? Why do I let her control me?

Oh, how wonderful it feels to wash my face. Emily, look at yourself — your reflection is too exhausted to keep going like this!

I need to be stronger. I need to find my voice. Samantha’s plans always benefit her and Jordan, never me.

I can’t keep living like this. Something has to change.

GAS STATION DINER / 7:00 P.M.

I feel the tension in the air as we all gather around the table, eating sandwiches and drinking hot beverages. My birthday was ruined.

I can’t believe this is happening. I glance at Jordan, who seems unnervingly calm. His eyes keep drifting to his brother, Alex who also came here by chance.

I notice Alex avoiding eye contact with me, his nerves palpable. Samantha starts talking about future plans, making me feel even more uncertain.

Casey hovers nearby, watching us all with a curious gaze.

Emily, you should consider focusing more on family matters and less on your personal pursuits. After all, that’s what truly matters.

I feel my stomach churn. I’m so tired of Samantha dictating everything.

– I understand, Samantha. I’ll try to do better.

I don’t mean it. Why should I have to sacrifice my dreams for their expectations?

– That’s right, my little star. You’ve been too caught up in your studies and personal growth. It’s time you think about us, about our future together.

Jordan’s words sting. I can’t stand the way he talks to me like I’m a child.

I’ll do my best, Jordan.

Why can’t I just tell him how I really feel?

Alex looks at me with concern. He knows how hard this is for me.

Emily, you don’t have to change who you are for anyone.

I appreciate his support, but it only fuels the fire. Samantha is going to explode.

– Alex, this isn’t your concern. Emily needs to understand what’s important.

Her words cut through me. She always undermines me.

– I’m doing my best, Samantha.

But it’s never enough for you, is it?

– Emily, you need to listen to my mother. She knows what’s best for us.

I know, Jordan.

I can’t take this anymore. I feel tears welling up in my eyes.

I need to calm down. But where?

This place is too small for so many toxic people! Someone is running after me…

Emily, wait!

Thank God, it’s Alex…

– Emily, what’s wrong?

Everything. I feel like I’m suffocating.

– I can’t do this anymore, Alex. I saw the ring Jordan had. I don’t want to marry him. He’s ruining my life.

Wow! I said it out loud. Can you believe it?

– You still have time to change your mind. You don’t have to do this.

Oh, Alex! Your kindness brings me a sense of peace.

– But what about everything? Our families? Samantha will never allow it.

I love you, Emily. I’ve loved you for a long time.

Oh! I feel like I’m going to faint… I’ve waited so long to hear those words. But I also… It’s now or never!

Alex, I… I love you too.

The relief is overwhelming! But what now?

It seemed we were not alone, this scoundrel Casey heard every word.

– Well, isn’t this interesting? You two have a lot to lose if this gets out.

How dare he? I thought he was a decent man at first. How naive of me! I won’t let him manipulate us.

– You won’t get anything from us, Casey.

– Emily, let’s go back to the table. There’s no one here worth talking to.

Something’s up, Jordan is already raising his glass for a toast.

– Emily, I think now is the perfect time to make an announcement. Since the whole family is here.

Oh, not this! Please, not this! He takes out the box I saw days ago… I have to stop this!

Jordan, no. I don’t want to marry you.

It seems like no one has asked me yet… Or did he already propose?

My heart is pounding so hard, I can’t hear anything else.

– I think it’s time I share what I know. Emily doesn’t want to marry Jordan because she loves Alex.

I see the fury in Jordan’s eyes. He stands up, fists clenched.

– Emily is mine. She’ll do as I say, or her education is over. She can’t support herself, and neither can Alex.

Jordan! What a sneak! But Samantha wants to say something.

Jordan’s right. Alex, you’ve never proven yourself. Your father had high hopes for you, but you’ve been a disappointment.

I feel a pang of guilt. This is tearing the family apart. But Alex… I really love him. I’ve loved him for a long time.

I have a business idea, Mom. I just need the funds to start it. Being adopted doesn’t give you and Jordan the right to treat me like this.

OMG! He’s amazing…

– Emily, be with me. I know you love me.

I need more air…

– I can’t break up the family. But yes, I’ve loved you for a long time, Alex.

Samantha seems to be gasping for air too. She needs somewhere to channel her anger.

– Why are you still here, Casey? You’ve had your fun.

– You haven’t paid me for keeping your secret, Samantha.

– Get out, Casey.

Casey doesn’t seem to be leaving.

Samantha and Jordan conspired against Alex to take his inheritance. The will states that the first to marry gets the inheritance. That’s why they needed Emily.

I feel my world shatter. It was all a lie.

I need to find my strength. I can’t keep living like this.

I stand tall, ready to face whatever comes next. Something has to change.

CAR, ON THE ROAD / MORNING AFTER STORM

I’m sitting in the car with Alex, the rain finally letting up as we drive away from the gas station. The tension from the night still hangs in the air, but there’s a new sense of hope. We’ve left the chaos behind, and I can finally breathe.

– Are you okay, Emily?

– I’m okay, Alex. Just processing everything.

I’m still in shock from everything that happened. I can’t believe I stood up to Jordan and Samantha. But it feels liberating.

– I feel relief and fear. But mostly, I feel free.

– I’m proud of you, you know. It took a lot of courage to do what you did back there.

His words warm my heart. For so long, I’ve felt overshadowed by Jordan and manipulated by Samantha. Alex’s support means everything to me.

– Thank you, Alex. I couldn’t have done it without you. Sorry, I didn’t wait for you to come back from school. That letter of yours…

What letter?

– Alex, you wrote that you were leaving for a new life and didn’t want to make any promises. Your mother gave me the letter after you left.

Oh. Samantha… It all makes sense now. Emily, I wrote that I love you. Then I found out you were going on a date with Jordan and decided to step back quietly. I had to fight for you.

What awaits Alex and me? It’s scary, but it’s also exciting. We went against his family, who had lied and manipulated us both for years. This must be the right step.

– What now, Alex? Where do we go from here?

Oh, that look…

We build a new life together, Emily. Away from all the manipulation and deceit. We start fresh.

– I know it won’t be easy, but with Alex by my side, I feel like anything is possible.

What a beautiful chapel by the road… Alex slows down. Is he thinking the same thing?

– Do you think… we should?

– Yes, Emily. Let’s do it. Let’s get married right now.

It feels right. After everything we’ve been through, this feels like the perfect way to start our new life together.

I feel a sense of peace washing over me.

This is it. A new beginning. A chance to be truly happy.

– Alex, I promise to love you, to support you, and to stand by your side, no matter what.

– Emily, I promise to love you, to cherish you, and to build a life with you filled with love and happiness.

I’ll never forget the tears in the eyes of the sleepy priest we asked for the favor. Wildflowers are in my hands, the smile on my face, and the hand of the best man in the world right in my hand.

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