Substitute bride
img img Substitute bride img Chapter 2 SB TWO
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Chapter 6 SB SIX img
Chapter 7 SB SEVEN img
Chapter 8 SB EIGHT img
Chapter 9 SB NINE img
Chapter 10 SB TEN img
Chapter 11 SB ELEVEN img
Chapter 12 SB TWELVE img
Chapter 13 SB THIRTEEN img
Chapter 14 SB FOURTEEN img
Chapter 15 SB FIFTEEN img
Chapter 16 SB SIXTEEN img
Chapter 17 SB SEVENTEEN img
Chapter 18 SB EIGHTEEN img
Chapter 19 SB NINETEEN img
Chapter 20 SB TWENTY img
Chapter 21 SB TWENTY ONE img
Chapter 22 SB TWENTY TWO img
Chapter 23 SB TWENTY THREE img
Chapter 24 SB TWENTY FOUR img
Chapter 25 SB TWENTY FIVE img
Chapter 26 SB TWENTY SIX img
Chapter 27 SB TWENTY SEVEN img
Chapter 28 SB TWENTY EIGHT img
Chapter 29 SB TWENTY NINE img
Chapter 30 SB THIRTY img
Chapter 31 SB THIRTY ONE img
Chapter 32 SB THIRTY TWO img
Chapter 33 SB THIRTY THREE img
Chapter 34 SB THIRTY FOUR img
Chapter 35 SB THIRTY FIVE img
Chapter 36 SB THIRTY SIX img
Chapter 37 SB THIRTY SEVEN img
Chapter 38 SB THIRTY EIGHT img
Chapter 39 SB THIRTY NINE img
Chapter 40 SB FORTY img
Chapter 41 SB FORTY ONE img
Chapter 42 SB FORTY TWO img
Chapter 43 SB FORTY THREE img
Chapter 44 SB FORTY THREE img
Chapter 45 SB FORTY FIVE img
Chapter 46 SB FORTY SIX img
Chapter 47 SB FORTY SEVEN img
Chapter 48 SB FORTY EIGHT img
Chapter 49 SB FORTY NINE img
Chapter 50 SB FIFTY img
Chapter 51 SB FIFTY ONE img
Chapter 52 SB FIFTY TWO img
Chapter 53 SB FIFTY THREE img
Chapter 54 SB FIFTY FOUR img
Chapter 55 SB FIFTY FIVE img
Chapter 56 SB 56 img
Chapter 57 SB 57 img
Chapter 58 SB 58 img
Chapter 59 SB 59 img
Chapter 60 SB 60 img
Chapter 61 SB 61 img
Chapter 62 SB 62 img
Chapter 63 SB 63 img
Chapter 64 SB 64 img
Chapter 65 SB 65 img
Chapter 66 SB 66 img
Chapter 67 SB 67 img
Chapter 68 SB 68 img
Chapter 69 SB 69 img
Chapter 70 SB 70 img
Chapter 71 SB 71 img
Chapter 72 SB 72 img
Chapter 73 SB 73 img
Chapter 74 SB 74 img
Chapter 75 SB 75 img
Chapter 76 SB 76 img
Chapter 77 SB 77 img
Chapter 78 SB 78 img
Chapter 79 SB 79 img
Chapter 80 SB 80 img
Chapter 81 SB 81 img
Chapter 82 SB 82 img
Chapter 83 SB 83 img
Chapter 84 SB 83 img
Chapter 85 SB 84 img
Chapter 86 SB 85 img
Chapter 87 SB 86 img
Chapter 88 SB 87 img
Chapter 89 SB 88 img
Chapter 90 SB 89 img
Chapter 91 SB 90 img
Chapter 92 SB 91 img
Chapter 93 SB 92 img
Chapter 94 SB 93 img
Chapter 95 SB 94 img
Chapter 96 SB 95 img
Chapter 97 SB 96 img
Chapter 98 SB 97 img
Chapter 99 SB 98 img
Chapter 100 SB 99 img
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Chapter 2 SB TWO

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, 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?

            
            

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