Chapter 3 The Bride Switch

The day of the wedding arrived with all the grandeur one would expect from a union of two powerful families.

The Drake estate, nestled on the outskirts of the city, was transformed into a scene of opulence and elegance. White roses adorned every surface, crystal chandeliers sparkled in the afternoon sun, and the air was thick with the scent of wealth and anticipation.

Vanessa Reynolds stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bridal suite, her reflection the epitome of perfection. Her gown was a masterpiece of silk and lace, custom-made by a famous designer, and her hair and makeup had been done by the best stylists money could buy. She looked every bit the beautiful, desirable bride-but her expression was far from joyous.

Beneath the layers of tulle and diamonds, Vanessa was seething with anger.

"I can't do this, Mother," Vanessa hissed, turning away from the mirror with a dramatic flourish of her veil. "I can't marry that... that monster!"

Clarissa, her mother, was seated on a chaise lounge, calmly sipping a glass of champagne. She didn't seem at all surprised by her daughter's outburst. If anything, she looked bored, as if she had expected this tantrum all along.

"Vanessa, darling, you're being overly dramatic," Clarissa said, setting her glass down and standing up with a sigh. "Alexander Drake is not a monster. He's a powerful man, yes, but that's exactly what you need in a husband. Think of the life you'll have-the parties, the influence, the endless money."

Vanessa crossed her arms, her lips forming a pout. "You don't understand, Mother. He's terrifying. And those rumors about him... They say he can't even stand to be touched by women! How am I supposed to be a wife to a man like that?"

Clarissa moved closer, taking her daughter's hands in hers. "You're overthinking this, Vanessa. You've been betrothed to him for years. The time has come to fulfill your duty. Besides, once you're married, you'll have control over the Drake fortune. You can do whatever you please."

But Vanessa was not so easily convinced. The closer the wedding day came, the more she had dreaded it.

She had seen Alexander's cold, calculating eyes, the way he looked at people as if they were mere pawns in a game only he understood. The idea of being married to him, of spending her life as his wife, filled her with a deep, unshakable fear.

"No," Vanessa said, pulling her hands away. "I won't do it. I refuse."

Clarissa's eyes narrowed slightly, but she quickly masked her irritation.

"And what do you propose we do, Vanessa? The wedding is today. The guests are already arriving. If you don't marry him, there will be a scandal-one that our family might not recover from."

Vanessa paused, her mind racing. She knew her mother was right; backing out of the wedding now would ruin their family's reputation. But then, an idea began to form in her mind-a twisted, cunning plan that could solve all her problems.

"What if... What if we sent Sophie in my place?" Vanessa suggested, her voice tinged with excitement. "No one would know until it was too late. She's also Father's daughter, after all. And who cares if Alexander ends up married to the wrong sister? He'll get over it, and Sophie can deal with him."

Clarissa's eyes widened slightly at the suggestion. She hadn't considered that possibility, but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like the perfect solution. Sophie was, after all, the quieter, less noticeable sister. She had always been the one to bear the brunt of the family's burdens, and this could be no different.

"And how do you propose we get Sophie to agree to this?" Clarissa asked, raising an eyebrow.

Vanessa smirked, her confidence returning. "Leave that to me. She'll do it if we give her no choice. We'll tell her it's for the good of the family-and if that doesn't work, I'll tell her that she deserves this chance more than I do. She's always been the self-sacrificing one."

Clarissa considered her daughter's plan carefully. It was risky, but if executed properly, it could work. They could avoid the scandal, Sophie would be out of their hair, and Vanessa would be free from the nightmare of marrying Alexander Drake.

With a nod, Clarissa agreed. "Very well, Vanessa. We'll do it your way. But remember, this must be done discreetly. If Alexander finds out, there will be consequences".

Vanessa's smile widened. "Oh, don't worry, Mother. Sophie will be the perfect little substitute bride."

And so, with a twisted plan in motion, Vanessa and Clarissa set to work. They found Sophie in the small, plain room that had always been hers, far away from the luxury Vanessa enjoyed. Sophie was sitting by the window, lost in one of her books when they barged in.

"Sophie," Vanessa began, her voice laced with fake concern, "there's been a change of plans. I... I can't go through with the wedding."

Sophie looked up, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? The wedding is today."

Vanessa feigned a look of distress. "I know, but something's come up. I... I think I might be pregnant."

Sophie's eyes widened in shock. "Pregnant? But how-"

I don't have time to explain," Vanessa interrupted, glancing at her mother for support. "Mother and I have decided that it would be best if you took my place at the altar."

Sophie stood up, her heart pounding. "Me? But I'm not-Vanessa, I can't marry Alexander Drake. He's your fiancé, not mine!"

Sophie, please," Clarissa chimed in, her tone deceptively gentle. "This is the only way to save our family from disgrace. You've always been the responsible one, the one who puts the family first. We need you to do this."

Sophie felt the walls closing in around her. This was absurd and wrong on so many levels. But the pleading look in Vanessa's eyes, the urgency in Clarissa's voice-it all left her with little choice.

They had already made up their minds, and she knew that if she refused, the consequences would be severe.

Tears welled up in Sophie's eyes, but she blinked them away. Her life had never been her own, and this was just one more sacrifice she would have to make. Maybe, just maybe, life with Alexander wouldn't be as terrible as the life she already endured under her stepmother's roof.

"I... I'll do it," Sophie said finally, her voice trembling. "I'll marry him."

Vanessa's relief was palpable, and Clarissa's smile was one of triumph. They wasted no time in preparing Sophie for the ceremony, rushing her into Vanessa's wedding gown and hastily fixing her hair and makeup.

Sophie looked into the mirror, her reflection unfamiliar and strange. She was about to marry a man she had never met, stepping into a life she knew nothing about.

As she walked down the aisle in Vanessa's place, Sophie felt like she was floating through a dream-or perhaps a nightmare. The guests didn't seem to notice the switch, and as she approached the altar, she saw Alexander Drake for the first time.

His imposing figure was even more intimidating in person, his expression unreadable as he waited for his bride. Her heart pounded as she came to stand beside him, the weight of the deception heavy on her shoulders. But there was no turning back now.

As the priest began the ceremony, Sophie forced herself to take deep, steady breaths.She wasn't marrying Alexander by choice, but maybe, just maybe, this new life would be better than the one she was leaving behind.

As the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Sophie's eyes met Alexander's for the first time. His gaze was intense, cold, and unwavering, sending a shiver down her spine. But she held her ground, refusing to let her fear show.

She was now Mrs. Alexander Drake, for better or worse, and she could only hope that she hadn't made the biggest mistake of her life.