Chapter 3 Married to a Stranger

Night passes, and morning greets warmly. In the three-storey house, Daisy is looking at her reflection in the mirror with a flat stare. The two MUAs who had been doing her make-up had successfully transformed her into an angel.

Daisy smiled sarcastically. The make-up model and the white dress attached to her body were her and Denver's choice one week ago. She had wanted to dedicate her beauty today to someone she loved.

However, fate was mocking Daisy today. The turmoil she feels goes hand in hand with the humming of wounds and the drying of tears. The day she looked forward to never came. Yes, because Denver, the man who was supposed to be at her wedding, backed out because of a mystery pregnancy.

Daisy stared intently at her own face, silently making a vow. Never in her life would she forgive the man who raped her. Because of the man, her self-esteem in the eyes of her own family and Denver's family had been destroyed. Even looking at herself was disgusting.

There's nothing to be proud of about Daisy - an actress with a myriad of entertainment and academic achievements that everyone would be proud of. No one would have ever guessed that the girl who graduated from Oxford University with honours was pregnant out of wedlock. How sad.

The creak of the door broke her reverie. Daisy turned around to see who had entered her room. When she realized who it was, she looked back at the mirror. She still felt guilty for the woman who had struggled to give birth to her twenty-five years ago.

"Gerald and his family are here. They're downstairs with the other guests. Are you ready, Daisy?" asked Elijah. She tried to act as if nothing had happened last night. However, Elijah had to put her daughter's sanity first.

Daisy, who wore a white crown on the top of her head, nodded. "Yes, Mom."

Reluctant, embarrassed, and sad. That's how Daisy feels now to her mother.

"Is Denver here, Mom?"

Elijah let out a long sigh as she touched Daisy's shoulder. Now, they are both facing the mirror with their faces close to each other.

"He's not here, and it's better that you don't shed any tears later. Be strong, Daisy. Prove to yourself that my girl is a strong child."

Daisy didn't respond. Elijah knew what she was thinking. It wasn't easy to let go of a love that had grown so special. Yes, Denver was her eldest daughter's first love. Even though it was an arranged marriage, Daisy and Denver's love affair was like a young person finding love on their own.

"But Gerald is no less handsome than his brother. Remember, Daisy ... just like you loved Denver through an arranged marriage, you can also love Gerald after living together," Elijah said, trying to give a positive vibe about Gerald being her daughter's husband.

Never mind love, Daisy had only seen Mr Gilbert's second son for the first time last night. It was because Gerald was living in Meadle City, studying for his master's degree there. He only returned three days ago to witness his brother's sacred day. In fact, he was not just a witness, but fate made him the groom who replaced his brother.

However, Daisy was very grateful to the man. His intentions last night were so noble. He will replace his brother to marry Daisy, who was a stranger to him. Just because he didn't want the Gilbert family and the Harrison family to bear the shame of a cancelled wedding. Primarily, Gerald said he couldn't bear it if the child Daisy was carrying was born without a father.

"Do you believe that I'm not pregnant?"

Her daughter's question was not answered immediately. Elijah didn't know... it hurt too much to express. "Let's not discuss it anymore. I'll wait downstairs!"

Daisy scrambled to her feet. She walked towards the balcony, carrying her long dress. It was true, in the spacious courtyard of her house, there were already many invited guests. The decorations were gorgeous, the stage was as expected with a welcoming MC. The outdoor theme was all white and pastel blue. Those are her and Denver's favourite colours.

Her mother was right, Daisy couldn't afford to be down. Whoever her husband was going to be, it was all for the sake of the little creature in her belly. It was hard to come to terms with all that had happened, because letting go wasn't as easy as holding on.

"Daisy?"

Angel's call made Daisy look into her room. She informed her that she needed to come downstairs immediately because the party has started.

Step by step, her glass slipper-clad feet descended the stairs. Accompanied by her mother and sister, Daisy flashes a faint smile at the people who look at her in amazement.

Everyone looks on in awe, especially Harrison's business associates, who are seeing his daughter for the first time. Unlike Daisy's friends who are in the same profession as her as movie actresses and advertising stars, it's as if her beauty has been memorized. But it still looks different with her elegant and graceful bridal makeup. Very mesmerizing.

Snapshots from various cameras dazzled the eyes. Yes, as a public figure, everything she does is in the spotlight, let alone a historic day called marriage. The journalists seemed not to want to miss capturing the momentum that would be reported in the media. Including the replacement of the groom, it must have made a stir in cyberspace.

The two MCs in charge of organising the event also welcomed on a magnificent stage that echoed in a microphone. All pairs of ears quite anticipated the welcome speech. The MCs, dressed in white suits with red ribbons around their necks, invited the bride and groom's parents to prepare themselves to enter the party room.

The top-notch band Daisy had requested to grace her wedding began playing music to accompany the entrance of the bride's parents and siblings. Adding warmth to the romantic atmosphere enveloped by the blue sky. Beautiful ....

Gerald, who was smiling dashingly at Daisy, began to approach. The man who wore a dark blue suit like a prince in a fairy tale dropped to one knee, keeping one hand behind his back. Then he extended his hand in front of Daisy.

Whether forced or resigned, Daisy welcomed his hand with a smile that was merely a formality. Inwardly, Daisy was screaming that it was Denver who should be wearing the prince's clothes, not Gerald.

After the bride and groom and their families took their seats, thousands of pairs of eyes stared in awe at the bride and groom, Daisy turned to Gerald.

"Thank you for marrying me," she said. Yes, Daisy felt obliged to say that to the only man who would marry her in a pinch.

Gerald extended his hand. It seemed to shake hands. "Gerald Van Gilbert! Just call me Gerald. Sorry we didn't get to know each other last night."

Daisy chuckled. "Daisy Agatha Harrison. Whatever you want to call me, just don't call my father's name."

It was sweet when his future wife was cheerful again, not gloomy like last night, like a boneless body. "Okay. I'll just call you Daisy."

Daisy nodded. "By the way, apart from wanting to keep our family's good name, is there any good reason why you want to marry me?"

Even though it was clear that Gerald's reason was because he felt sorry for the foetus in her womb. But Daisy wanted to know if there was another reason.

Gerald didn't answer. But his inner voice echoed loudly.

'Of course I have to marry you, because this is my responsibility!'