REVENGE'S UNEXPECTED LOVE

MARRIAGE IS A...

Ismarie steps into her hotel room around 4 AM, her parents trailing behind her with concern etched on their faces. Despite the exhaustion evident in her weary eyes, there's a fire within Ismarie that refuses to be extinguished.

She hasn't slept a wink all night, her emotions ranging from tears of heartache to laughter of newfound joy with Sean. Yet, as she stands on the threshold of her room, she exudes a sense of vitality and determination, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

As Ismarie gathers her thoughts to address her parents. "Father, Mother, I brought you here.." Ismarie begins, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency as she looks at them with determination in her eyes.

Larry, her father, interrupts her with a puzzled expression. "Why are you speaking in a British accent?" he asks, his tone laced with bemusement. Ismarie's cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"She always uses a British accent when she's about to confess something mischievous," Marie interjects with a knowing smile, her tone playful yet curious. "So, out with it, honey. What did you do?" Her gaze is gentle but expectant, ready to listen to whatever Ismarie has to say.

Ismarie really enjoys the elegance and sophistication she feels when speaking in a British accent, and believes it adds an air of refinement to her words. She sees it as a way to captivate her parents, perhaps even to sway them into being more lenient with her.

"Max cheated on me," Ismarie says, her voice steady despite the bombshell she's just dropped. Her parents exchange puzzled glances, unable to comprehend why she wears a smile instead of the expected anguish.

Ismarie chooses to omit some of the details, deciding not to disclose anything beyond the fact that Max cheated on her. She doesn't want to strain her relationship with her father. She refuses to put her dad in a position where he has to choose between his daughters. Instead, she resolves to handle her sister on her own, sparing her father from further distress.

"Oh, my darling, are you okay?" Larry asks, his voice filled with concern as he reaches out to comfort his daughter, unable to fathom why she appears strangely composed in the face of such betrayal.

"Oh, my baby. I'm so sorry to hear that," Ismarie's mother murmurs, her words filled with sympathy as she envelops her daughter in a comforting embrace. Under her breath, she adds, "I've never liked him anyway," a quiet admission of her long-held reservations about Max.

"Tell me, what do you want me to do with him? I can take him hunting outside the city and see what happens there," Larry suggests, his voice edged with a protective fatherly instinct, ready to take action to defend his daughter's honor.

"Wait, you're not suggesting what I think you are, are you?" Marie's voice quivers slightly with concern as she looks between Ismarie and Larry, her mind racing with the implications of Larry's words.

"But if you are going to do it," Marie continues, her tone firming with resolve, "let me be the one to call him. That way, the police won't suspect you, Larry. We need to handle this delicately, for Ismarie's sake."

"Wait, am I going to be an accomplice to a murder?" Ismarie interjects, her voice filled with disbelief and alarm. "No one is going to kill anyone." She quickly steps in, putting a halt to the revengeful thoughts swirling among their parents.

"It was merely a suggestion, darling, just a way to express our anger," Marie says, her voice softening as she glances at Larry for confirmation. Larry clears his throat and nods in agreement, his expression solemn as he tries to mask the intensity of his emotions. Despite his outward compliance, his eyes betray a simmering anger and a desire for justice that refuses to be extinguished.

"As I was saying, instead of getting married at 10 am, I've decided to get married at 8 pm," Ismarie announces with a smile, her voice filled with newfound determination and a sense of empowerment.

"Rosemarie Winslow! You're not going to marry that scumbag! Or else, you're going to have to do it with his corpse!" Marie's words pierce the air with a mix of fury and protectiveness, her maternal instincts kicking into overdrive as she vehemently opposes the idea of Ismarie marrying Max.

"Ismarie, sweetheart, listen to your mother," Larry implores, his voice filled with concern as he reaches out to his daughter. "Don't go ahead with the marriage. Who's to say he won't do it again?" His words are tinged with a father's worry, urging Ismarie to reconsider her decision in light of the betrayal she has endured.

Marie shares a meaningful glance with Larry, their silent communication conveying a shared concern for their daughter's well-being and a united front against the prospect of her marrying someone who has caused her so much pain.

"Oh, my bad, I'm not marrying Max. God no!" Ismarie exclaims, her words echoing with a mixture of relief and incredulity.

Larry and Marie exchange a puzzled look, their confusion evident as they try to make sense of Ismarie's sudden declaration.

"I'm marrying Sean," Ismarie declares, her voice filled with certainty as she shares the unexpected news with her parents.

Their parents exchange a puzzled glance, trying to recall if they've ever heard of Sean, but his name draws a blank. Turning their gaze back to their daughter, they await an explanation, curious to learn more about this unexpected development.

Ismarie's wide smile reaches her eyes as she meets her parents' gaze, a mix of excitement and anticipation dancing in her expression.

"Who's Sean, sweetheart?" Larry asks, echoing the question that lingers on both of their minds, while Marie nods in agreement, her expression mirroring her husband's curiosity.

"He's someone I work with—intelligent, skilled, strong, confident, compassionate, generous, kind, and sympathetic," Ismarie explains, her words flowing with admiration as she paints a picture of Sean's qualities. "Oh, and did I mention he's a general surgeon?" she adds with a grin, unable to contain her pride in her fiancé's accomplishments.

Her parents' faces light up with understanding and relief as they connect the dots, realizing that Sean is the man who has captured their daughter's heart. A sense of warmth fills the room as they share in Ismarie's happiness and excitement for her future with Sean.

"No, no, no. Are you marrying him because that i***t cheated on you?" Larry's question cuts through the air, his concern evident in his tone as he seeks clarification from Ismarie about the reasons behind her decision to marry Sean.

"Oh, good heavens, Rosemarie! You're going to give me premature gray hairs," Marie exclaims, her tone tinged with worry as she implores her daughter to dispel the possibility that Larry's words hold any truth.

Ismarie remains silent, her expression conflicted as she grapples with her parents' concerns and her own emotions.

"Sweetheart, marriage is not a decision to be made in spite of someone else," Marie says gently, her voice carrying a mix of wisdom and maternal concern. "It's a sacred bond shared between two people, promising each other that they will be there for one another through thick and thin." Her words hang in the air, underscoring the gravity of the commitment Ismarie is considering.

"I know about marriage, Mom, and don't worry, Sean and I will be fine," Ismarie reassures her mother, her voice filled with confidence as she stands by her decision.

"Ismarie, listen to your mother. Marriage is a..." Larry's sentence trails off, his expression reflecting his struggle to find the right words to convey the weight and importance of the commitment Ismarie is contemplating.

Poor Larry also cheated on Ismarie 27 years ago. In fact, if he hadn't, Ismarie wouldn't be in this situation—or at least, that's what she believes.

If there was no Liezel all would be well, or perhaps that cheating lying wannabe of a man would have found someone to cheat with?

As if echoing Ismarie's sentiments, Marie speaks up, her voice firm and resolute. "If my daughter wants to get married today, she will, and no one is going to stop her." Her words carry a sense of determination, underscoring her support for Ismarie's decision.

"Marie, please consider your decision. We don't even know the man. What if he treats our daughter horribly? Could you live with that?" Larry's question hangs heavy in the air, his concern for Ismarie's well-being evident in his voice.

Marie pauses, considering the possibility with a heavy heart, but she remains steadfast in her decision. "Yes, she will marry if she wants to. You're welcome to walk her down the aisle, but if you don't want to, then I will walk her myself." Her words are filled with determination and a mother's unwavering support for her daughter's choices.

The tension hangs heavy in the room, a palpable silence settling over them as no one dares to speak up. Each member of the family grapples with their own thoughts and emotions, unsure of how to navigate the delicate situation that has unfolded before them.

Larry clears his throat, his voice creaking slightly with emotion. "We are all in this together," he says softly, reaching out to offer his daughter a gentle grip on her shoulder and a small, reassuring smile.

Marie sighs in relief, she is longing for Larry's support for their daughter. She wants him to be there without feeling like she's begging for it, but she struggles to find the right words to express this sentiment.

Ismarie offers a hug to both of her parents, the embrace carrying a silent reassurance of their love and support. With a determined smile, she then heads to her room to prepare for her impromptu wedding, feeling a sense of excitement mingled with nerves for the journey ahead.