Chapter 2

• AIDEN'S POV.
• Where could the bride be? The one causing such a stir?
• I mused, eyeing the clock with a deepening scowl at each passing moment.
• My fingers drummed on the table, betraying my restlessness. Staying still was not an option for me.
• With each chime of the clock, my irritation intensified, secretly wishing for a mishap to disrupt the meticulously planned marriage orchestrated by my parents.
• Nevertheless, I feigned interest, not wanting to appear indifferent to the marriage.
• "Dad, may I have a word?" I requested in front of his friends.
• They stepped aside, and before he could respond, I pressed, "Dad, what's causing the hold-up?"
• "Women and their dressing rituals take time. Just like your mother," he said, nodding towards my mom, who was engaged in conversation with her companions.
• "Sure, but this is taking an eternity, and I'm growing weary of this space," I complained, receiving a reassuring pat from my father.
• "Relax. They wouldn't dare cause a scene, or they'll regret the embarrassment," he assured me, and I silently prayed for an end to it all.
• **************************
• SELENA'S POV
• "I refuse to do it!" I declared to my mother, exasperated after countless pleas.
• She had been incessantly urging me to marry a man I did not know, and my patience was wearing thin.
• "How dare you raise your voice?" she snapped back.
• "Forgive me, Mother, but marrying Aiden Evans is impossible when my heart belongs to another," I said softly.
• "Enough with this talk of love. We both understand the dire consequences of defying the Evans. Our very lives are at stake," she reminded me.
• "It's clear you're indifferent to my feelings. My happiness is irrelevant to you, isn't it?" I challenged, locking eyes with her.
• She turned away, arms folded, avoiding my gaze.
• "That's precisely why Gabriella fled, and I can't blame her. This is on you for agreeing to such terms," I continued, pointing accusingly at her.
• "I'm not interested in who's to blame. All I expect is for you to replace your sister, that's all," she stated firmly, showing no signs of backing down.
• "Think about your father. Do this for him if not for me," she implored more gently.
• "He was the one indebted, and if you wish to preserve his reputation, then act. Otherwise, do nothing. I won't bother—"
• "I'll do it," I interjected, and I saw a glimmer of relief on her face.
• "That's my daughter. Now, dress in Gabriella's gown and join me downstairs," she instructed, handing me the dress before exiting.
• What have I agreed to? Why did I consent to this absurd marriage? It was the memory of my father that haunted me.
• The bridal gown felt like shackles rather than finery.
• Each adornment weighed heavily upon me, symbolizing the burdensome expectations placed upon my shoulders.
• Gazing into the mirror, I saw a bride whose eyes reflected uncertainty about a future dictated by duty, not affection.
• Adjusting my veil, I resigned myself to my fate, thinking, 'For my family, for honor,' a mantra now ingrained in me as I donned the dress with reluctance.
• Lost in contemplation, the sound of my phone jolted me back to reality.
• My heart thundered.
• Derrick, I muttered. It was Derrick calling. What should I do? How could I explain?
• As the phone continued to ring, I turned away, tears streaming down my face, until the ringing ceased.
• What should I tell Derrick when he discovers I'm marrying someone else?
• A knock interrupted my reverie. "Selena, it's time," Laura, our loyal servant and my father's friend, announced as she entered.
• "Could you ask my mother for a couple more minutes?" I pleaded, standing and wiping away tears.
• "I'm sorry, Selena. Mrs. Rose Vance, your mother, insists I escort you downstairs immediately," Laura said, her eyes on the ground.
• Taking a deep breath, I tried to come to terms with everything happening so fast. This is surreal.
• "I don't mean to pry, but it's evident you're not thrilled about this marriage," Laura remarked.
• "You're right, Laura. But we must do what's necessary for our family's sake," I replied.
• After a brief silence, I mustered a smile and said, "Let's go ahead," as Laura helped me down, holding the end of my bridal train.
• The crowd's murmuring stopped as the wedding march began and I descended the stairs, sporting a pretend smile.
• The priest, dressed entirely in white, took his place. My mother's eyes sparkled with triumph as if she'd won the lottery.
• I couldn't wait for this to be over as I reached Aiden Evans, the groom, at the altar.
• "You look beautiful," he said, but I gave no response. The last thing on my mind was to act as if all was perfect.
• After the priest's short sermon, the moment everyone awaited arrived, and my heart pounded.
• The priest looked at me and asked, "Miss Selena Vance, do you take Mr. Aiden Evans as your husband, in joy and sorrow, until death do you part?"
• I can't go through with this, I thought, eyes shut, as whispers filled the air.
• I wished to vanish, but reality hit when the priest asked again.
• AIDEN'S POV.
• Rejecting this charade was all I could think about.
• Despite knowing that my family's reputation would be the talk of Los Angeles and beyond, I was prepared to put an end to it, yet I didn't want to be the one to halt everything.
• For the first time in ages, I silently implored the blessed Virgin Mary to inspire Selena to reject this farcical union.
• ********************
• SELENA'S POV
• The buzz of the assembly grew louder, and visions of my father haunted me.
• "Do it for your father," my mother's voice resonated in my head, prompting me to exhale deeply.
• "I do," I uttered at last, prompting applause from everyone.
• Looking at Aiden, I sensed his discontent.
• Perhaps he detested this as much as I did. Better still, as I had no intention of enduring six months with him.
• The priest's inquiry interrupted my thoughts, "Mr. Aiden Evans, do you take Miss Selena Vance as your wife, through good and bad times, until death do you apart?”
• I silently wished for him to refuse, sparing me the blame.
• Yet, my hope was dashed as he affirmed, "Yes," with a nod.
• The audience erupted in cheers, and the priest announced, "You may now kiss the bride."
• The reality of the situation was suffocating, the weight of my decision pressing down on me.
• My lips parted, but not for the kiss; they trembled with the magnitude of the unspoken truth clawing its way up my throat.
• My heart raced, pleading for an intervention, for a power outage, a sudden storm, anything to halt the inevitable.
• And then, as his face drew nearer, a question surfaced, sharp and urgent, demanding an answer: Was I prepared to spend six months with a stranger just to settle my father's debts?