Chapter 1 Married as a Substitute

"You will get married to the second master of the Louis Family in place of your sister!"

"But Dad, people"

"People don't have to know it is you, you will be hidden under the veil. The second master of the Louis Family is a handicap anyway, he doesn't have the right to complain."

"Dad, if the patriarch finds out he will be mad and angry. He might even kill me dad..." Elena tried to explain but she did not pay any attention.

"It's your duty to make sure your sister's life doesn't get ruined, she is a superstar and you are nothing!. If I have to choose to sacrifice one of you, then it has to be you."

"After getting married to the handicap second master, it can't be revoked, so the family will have to accept you that way. They can't force you to divorce him."

Elena lowered her head in defeat, her father was right. She was not a star like her sister, not even up to her sister's level of being a superstar. She had been a burden all her life. Her only worry was Ken. Ken would not take the news lightly.

"Dad, what about Ken? I am engaged to him, he will be heartbroken if he finds out about this...." Elena muttered sniffling, she was stuck between obeying her dad and hurting the man she loved.

"I will do the explaining, you don't have to worry. Remember the marriage will only last for two years, after the two years have passed, you can still get married to Ken." Richard remarked in a convincing tone.

Elena admitted defeat, she would obey her father. She only hoped Ken was willing to wait for her and not leave her after the two years had passed. She would sacrifice two years of her life for her family, it wasn't short but it wasn't long either.

"Elena, you know I love you right? The same way I love your sister, I love you both equally. I am trying to make the best decision for you both, don't worry it will be fine." Richard added rubbing Elena's arm to console her.

Elena's lips tightened into a smile, she nodded her head.

Standing at the end of the aisle, Elena thought about the conversation she had with her father two days prior. Her face was well hidden under the thick white veil, the people around all had smiles on their faces.

Although everyone was smiling, there was one person amongst the crowd who refused to smile. It was the man she was to marry, he sat in the wheel chair with a frown on his face. Although crippled and handicapped, he was good looking .

Elena had got a clear picture of his face just yet, but from his side profile, she concluded that he looked good. Elena braced herself for the new dimension her life was about to take, she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath ready to walk down the aisle.

"Don't be too fast Elena, your father is supposed to walk you down the aisle." Esther Elena's step mother whispered in Elena's ear, holding her back from walking forward.

"Ouch" Elena Yelp in pain from her stepmother's hold, she hastily nodded her head and stood once again. In no time Richard appeared before the crowd, he was all smiles and waves. He brought his hand forward and Elena held onto it.

The walk on the isle felt like a journey of a thousand miles meant to end her life. Elena felt no matter how hard she tried to brace herself and walk confidently, she would never be as confident as her sister.

"Walk properly Elena, we don't want anyone getting suspicious." Richard remarked, pressing his fingers on her.

Elena nodded and maintained her steps, at long last they got to the altar. While the people erupt in cheers, the bride and the groom frown unhappy at their situation.

It felt like ages before the priest finished talking, it was time to say the vows. "Do you Adrian Laurent Louis, take Elena Whitmore as your lawfully wedded ....."

"Yes, I do." The groom interrupted the priest not giving him the chance to finish talking, he raised his brows towards Elena to do the same. There was an awkward silence in the crowd, the priest lost his composure for a brief moment before he regained it once again.

"Yes, I do too." Elena whispered for only the ears of the priest and her groom. They couldn't tell who she was from her tone but the other people in the crowd would be able to tell she was a replacement, as they knew her sister's voice pretty well.

"By the power bestowed upon me, I now proclaim you man and wife! You may now kiss the bride." The priest remarked, closing the book of vows.

Elena was struck awkward by the priest's words, her gaze landed on the man sitting on the wheelchair. Her husband, he was her husband now, he wore a cold and incandescent expression on his face.

The people in the crowd cheered trying to dispense the awkward air. Adrian gazed at the crowd with a cold look in his eyes, he gestured towards the man beside him who bent to hear him speak.

"If the wedding is over, I would like to return back to the villa now."

"Ah, yes second young master." The man bowed and quickly walked towards the patriarch of the family, informing him what the second young master was demanding.

"Let the child go back, take his new wife along too. Her things will be brought by her family driver. He doesn't like the crowd, let him go." The old patriarch remarked with a wave of his hand smiling happily.

The man nodded and returned back to Adrian's side. He gestured towards Elena and asked the woman behind Elena to lead Elena on the way too. Soon the couple were out of sight.

Standing at the top of the staircase, a man clothed in black tuxedo stood with his hands akimbo. A smirk playing on his lips.