Just wait till they're all gone.

…wait till they're all gone. The same words kept repeating themselves over and over in her head.

Martha wanted nothing more than to run to her room and curl up under her blanket away from this place, but she couldn't. Not when her absence would be noticed. She was supposed to be the happy bride after all, and what girl wouldn't be happy that they were marrying the great André? Rich, successful, handsome even. Everyone expected her to swoon with joy. They didn't understand that it was just another move on her father's chess board and she was the pawn - just an insignificant piece in his power game.

Martha's eyes scanned the large hall, taking in the whole scene. The clinking of glasses and cutlery against expensive china, the chattering of over a hundred people as they waited to seal her fate, the soft music coming from the live band in the corner of her parents banquet hall. It was all too normal. In fact, if she closed her eyes long enough, Martha could pretend like her life wasn't falling apart, like her parents weren't here, holding a wedding ceremony for man she had never met. The only knowledge she had of her fiance was from what people had told her. She didn't blame her father though. She couldn't.

Four months ago, when he received the call he dreaded throughout his life-the one that told him he was losing all his assets and with it, his life's work, he was faced with a difficult decision. Form an alliance with another powerful group and keep your legacy and your daughter's future, or keep your pride and take away any happiness she might have. 

He made his choice.

Martha looked down at the champagne glass in her hand, staring at the golden liquid until a plan was formed solid in her mind. It was selfish of her considering all that was at stake but it must be done. She wasn't just some cattle that they could trade at their convenience. This was her life too and she deserved a say. 

Done weighing her options, Martha raised the glass to her lips and took a generous gulp at the same time her mother stepped up to the podium.

"Can I have your attention please?" Sylvia tapped her ring against her glass. All around the hall, people stopped and turned to listen. 

“Tonight is a very special night for our two families, because the Tega's and the Dogo's will be united under one roof!”

There was a genuine smile on her mother's face and it broke Martha's heart. She really thought she was making the right choice for her daughter.

“Although my wonderful son-in-law couldn't be here, I have no doubt that he's just the person my darling Martha needs at such a time as this.” The last part sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than she was here audience.

"So let's raise a toast to Martha and André Tega. May they have a long, happy marriage." 

The sound of glasses clinking against each other echoed around the hall. A few people came up to Martha to offer her fake smiles and insincere congratulations. She took it all in good graces, flashing a fake smile of her own.

Just wait till they're all gone.

In the corner of her eye, she could see her father discussing with the Tega's. Her fate was being sealed. Martha swallowed the lump in her throat. It was time put her plan in motion, she couldn't wait any longer.

Setting her empty champagne glass on the nearest surface, she began to walk out of the hall. 

Her family lived in a rather large mansion, and it took her some time before she even got to the front door. Her mother had joined in the Tega-Dogo conversation and hadn't noticed her leave. Martha kept a casual pace until she was out in the open and breathing in the fresh air. Then she broke into a sprint as fast as her stilettos would let her. 

A grin spread across her face with the realization that she was taking back her life and she'll be damned if she ever let it go.