The Future Bride’s Warning

Just before I left for college, I stumbled across a livestream showing me three years in the future. I wore a wedding dress, and my eyes were red from crying. "I'm marrying Craig today." I smiled, assuming they were happy tears. Craig Eaton and I grew up together, and I wanted to marry him ever since I was six. "But I don't want to," she continued. "Craig was supposed to drive me to Halcyon University. Instead, he took me to the apartment I'd be sharing with Gwen. "He and Mom canceled my enrollment without telling me. They decided I'd take a gap year to help her study for the SAT and apply to colleges again." I froze, then angrily typed, [You're lying! Why would they do that to me?] She recognized my profile picture and smiled bitterly. "Because Craig fell for someone else, and Gwen is the daughter of Mom's first love." Then she stepped onto the ledge of the roof. "That first year, you shared an apartment with Gwen and spent your days cooking, doing her laundry, and organizing her study notes. She didn't get into any of the colleges she applied to, but you got into a top school. "Mom begged you to put college off for one more year to help Gwen. She said you owed her for raising you and promised she'd never ask for anything else. "The second year, you both got into other schools, but Gwen still wanted Halcyon. Craig said you'd stay another year if you really loved him, and he promised to marry you if you did. "The third year, Gwen finally got into Halcyon. By then, you spent so much time taking care of her that you missed your own application deadlines. She left for college, and you had nowhere to go." She looked into the camera one last time, as if she could see me. "That's how they ruined your life." Then she jumped, and the livestream went dark. My hands shook as I called the university's admissions office. They confirmed it. "That's right. Our records show we received a request to cancel your enrollment." Right then, I saw Craig and my mom walking toward me. "Diane, why haven't you started packing? We're taking you to college the day after tomorrow." Chapter 1 I gripped my phone, unable to say a word. By the time Mom and Craig Eaton reached me, I managed to compose myself. Craig ruffled my hair. "Diane, why are you so quiet? Are you still upset we took Gwen on vacation without you?" At Mom's frown, I shook my head instinctively. "No," I said. "I just finished packing. I'm a little tired." Her expression softened, and she held out a bag of groceries. "You've had time to rest. Go get dinner started. Gwen's eating with us tonight. I'll go pick her up from Asher's." I left the bag hanging in her hand and looked at her. "Gwen's just our neighbor's daughter, but you always seem to care more about her than me. Why is that?" Mom froze, and Craig's smile faded. He took the groceries from her and nudged me toward the stairs. "Come on, don't say that. You're her daughter. Of course, she loves you most. Let's go. I'll help with dinner." Back in our apartment, Craig rolled up his sleeves and washed vegetables beside me at the sink. I studied his familiar face, still trying to reconcile the gentle man beside me with what I heard on the livestream. "Because Craig fell for someone else," the me in the livestream had said. "Craig..." I hesitated. He didn't seem to hear me. He kept rinsing the vegetables without looking up. "Go heavy on the hot sauce. Gwen likes it spicy." I frowned. "But my stomach's been bothering me." "It's one meal. Gwen's already upset about not getting into college and having to apply again next year. Cut her some slack." My throat tightened. "Craig, do you still…" The doorbell rang before I could finish. He dropped the vegetables in the sink and hurried to answer it. The moment he opened the door, Gwen Miller's laughter filled the apartment. I stayed at the sink while the three of them settled on the couch, chatting and laughing. The sound grated on me. Craig glanced my way, then got up and walked toward the kitchen. I relaxed a little, relieved that he still thought to check on me. But then, he stopped just outside the kitchen. "Diane, quit daydreaming and get dinner started. Gwen's hungry. Don't forget the hot sauce." On his way back to the couch, he added, "Turn on the exhaust fan, too. Gwen doesn't want her clothes smelling like grease." My hands went still in the sink. "Got it," I said quietly, without turning around. I stared down at my hands in the cold water, barely feeling it. After a while, I dried them on my apron and took out my phone to reply to my mentor, Peyton Walsh. [I'd like to go abroad with you. Could we leave the day after tomorrow?] Her reply came almost immediately. [Absolutely. I'll pick you up at nine that morning.] Chapter 2 By the time I brought out the last dish, the three of them were already eating. Craig and Mom moved the main dishes within Gwen's reach, leaving me with a plate of sautéed vegetables. I sat down and reached for the pot roast, but Mom slid the platter toward Gwen. "You've lost weight stressing over retaking the SAT. Have some more." Craig spooned vegetables onto my plate. "You said you couldn't eat anything spicy. Let Gwen have it." "I didn't make the pot roast spicy," I said. However, they kept talking as if I hadn't said a word. I looked down at my plate and pushed the vegetables aside. I took a bite of mashed potatoes and chewed slowly, trying not to cry. They started talking about their vacation, from the sunrise over the ocean to the fresh seafood at the waterfront market and the jet ski rides. Since they went without me, I had nothing to add. I kept my head down and ate, barely tasting the food. Then Gwen turned to me with a bright smile. "So, Diane, all packed? You're coming along to be my maid!" I glanced at her. "I'm going to college for computer science, not to clean up after you." Gwen covered her mouth and laughed, exchanging a look with Craig and Mom. "Wait, nobody told you? "You're not leaving for college the day after tomorrow. They already arranged for you to spend another year studying for the SAT with me. "You'll do my laundry, cook, and organize my notes. You're coming to take care of me." I set down my fork. Craig broke the silence. "Diane, don't get upset. With your grades, you can still get into a top school next year. You'll have plenty of time to study while you help Gwen. Next year, you can both go to college. Wouldn't that be great?" Mom nodded. "Gwen's like a second daughter to me. Just think of her as your little sister and help her out for a year." I laughed in disbelief. "Your grades are good, too, Craig. Why don't you stay with her? And Mom, you're retired. You could take care of my 'little sister.' Why does it have to be me?" Craig opened his mouth, then shut it. Mom looked away and helped herself to more food. Neither had an answer. Finally, Craig muttered, "Don't be so selfish, Diane." I slammed my fork down and grabbed him by the collar, too angry and hurt to hold back. "I'm selfish? Did either of you even think about what I want? What about my future? Who comes first, Craig? Me or Gwen? Do you even love me anymore?" He said nothing and wouldn't meet my eyes. I laughed bitterly and pushed him away, then turned to Mom. "And you. Is this really about helping Gwen, or is it about you and Asher? You two used to date, didn't you?" Her gaze shifted. "Who told you that? I lost your father less than six months ago, and now you're throwing accusations at me?" I scoffed. "Everyone in the complex is talking about you and Asher. They say you were sneaking around with him while Dad was still alive. Some even think you killed Dad so you could be with him. Maybe…" Mom slapped me. "My personal life is none of your business! You're going with Gwen. End of discussion. If you refuse, don't expect anything from me ever again!" Craig stepped forward to get between us, but I held up a hand to stop him. I pressed my other hand to my stinging cheek. "Is that what you want, too, Craig?" He glanced at Gwen, then sighed. "Another year to prepare for college could be good for you, Diane. Please stop making this so hard on us." Chapter 3 I stared at Craig for a long moment, then nodded. "Fine. I won't make this hard for you. I'll stay with Gwen for another year. But if you want me to be her maid, you'll have to pay me. Ten grand." Mom exchanged a look with Craig. She slowly lowered her hand instead of slapping me again and let out a relieved breath. "Alright. I'll transfer it in a minute. Just take good care of Gwen." Craig hurried over, staring at my swollen cheek. "Does it hurt? Let me get you some ice." I walked past them and went to my room, still holding a hand to my face. Another text from Peyton appeared on my phone. [Don't worry. Your visa should be ready tomorrow. Your scholarship covers full tuition, and I can help with living expenses.] Before I could reply, a bank notification popped up. [You received a transfer of 10,000 dollars. Memo: Take good care of Gwen.] Mom sent it. My lips twisted into a bitter smile as I read the message. Growing up, I couldn't even ask for money for school without a lecture about how much I cost her. For Gwen, she handed over ten grand without an argument. I wrote back to Peyton, [Thanks, but I can cover my living expenses. My mom just paid me to be Gwen's maid.] Almost as soon as I put my phone down, Craig knocked. "Diane, are you asleep? I brought you an ice pack for your cheek." I got up and locked the door without answering, making sure he heard the click. After a few seconds, he spoke again. "I'll leave it out here. Come get it when you're ready. I love you, Diane. I'm just trying to help Gwen out. There's nothing going on between us. Get some rest." I didn't believe a word of it. Once he left, I dumped the ice in the sink. The next morning, my bedroom door wouldn't open. Someone locked me in. I pounded on the door. "Who locked this? Let me out!" Gwen laughed from the hallway. "Save your breath. It's just me. "Craig and your mom locked you in so you wouldn't run off. They're out picking up breakfast for me. You're staying in there until tomorrow, when your job as my maid starts." I forced myself to speak calmly. "Let me out. I need the bathroom. I'll come right back." "Check under the door." Two plastic bags slid through the gap. "Use those. You're used to taking whatever people throw at you, right? You didn't even say anything when your mom slapped you yesterday. You deserved it." I picked up my phone. "Fine. I'll call 911 and tell them you've locked me in." Gwen stopped laughing. "Are you serious? You'd call the cops on your own family? Fine. You win. I'm getting the key!" She unlocked the door just as Craig and Mom walked in. Before either of them could ask what was going on, Gwen rushed into Craig's arms and burst into tears. "Craig, she threatened me! She said she'd have me arrested if I didn't open the door!" Chapter 4 Craig glared at me. "Making you stay another year was our idea. If you're upset, take it up with us. Leave Gwen alone." Mom's face hardened. "Bully Gwen again, and you're out of this house! Now go wash up and eat." After using the bathroom, I sat at the table and reached for a breakfast sandwich. Mom smacked my hand away. "You don't get to sit down and eat until you apologize to Gwen." I looked at her. "I didn't do anything wrong. You locked me in my room." Mom slammed her hand on the table. "So this is my fault now? After everything I've done for you?" She raised her hand to slap me again, but Craig stepped between us. "She probably just needed the bathroom. Give her a break." He turned to me. "And Diane, you're leaving tomorrow. Stop picking fights with your mom." He handed me a sandwich. "Here. It's from your favorite place. I stood in line for an hour to get it for you." I looked down and took a bite without answering. After the second bite, my stomach turned. I grabbed the edge of the table. Before I could speak, Craig pulled my phone from my pocket. "Maybe now you'll think twice before threatening to call the cops on Gwen." I started shaking. "Did you put something in my food?" "You're allergic to some medications, right? I put a little in your sandwich. Maybe that'll teach you." He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the chair. My knees gave out, but he dragged me toward my room. He shoved me through the doorway. I hit the floor hard on both knees, unable to make a sound. I lay there gagging as he shut and locked the door. Each breath became harder to draw. I crawled to the door and pounded on it. "Let me out! I can't breathe! Please, let me out! I need to go to the hospital!" Laughter came from the other side of the door. "Ready to behave now?" Mom asked. "What happened to all that attitude?" "That's what you get for threatening me," Gwen said. "Try that when we're living together, and Craig will do it again." "You brought this on yourself, Diane," Craig added. "Learn your lesson, and we won't have to do this again." By the time they finished breakfast, I could barely knock. "Please let me out," I begged. "I'm sorry. I was wrong." Craig finally came toward the door, but Mom stopped him. "Leave her a little longer. It'll do her good." "Exactly," Gwen said. "We can let her out after our walk." Craig hesitated. "But she's having an allergic reaction. What if…" "She's still banging on the door, isn't she?" Gwen said. "She's just a little dizzy and nauseous. She'll be fine." He let her lead him away. Their footsteps faded. I struggled to my feet and searched for another way out. I had no phone and barely enough strength to stand, much less force the door open. The window was open. We were on the second floor, but risking a broken bone was better than staying locked in that room. My vision dimmed as I climbed onto the windowsill. I pictured the woman in the livestream, standing on a rooftop in her wedding dress. For the first time, I understood how desperate she felt. But I still had a chance to escape the future I saw. With that thought, I jumped. Craig cut the walk short. Still worried, he brought Mom and Gwen home. They opened the front door to find several police officers inside. One lifted my half-eaten sandwich from the trash and placed it in an evidence bag. All three went pale. "How did you get in here?" Craig asked. "We're here because Diane Murray reported an assault," one officer said. He turned to Craig. "You're under arrest." Then he looked at Mom and Gwen. "You're both coming with us, too. We have questions about your involvement."