Chapter 4 A wedding without a groom

Don't stop thinking about tomorrow.

Emily's POV

"You're going to make a beautiful bride." A young lady said as she styled my hair, making sure I was happy for the saddest day of my life. I stared at the reflection of myself; auburn hair, sunken eyes and pale skin. Compared to other brides, I looked like someone who was given a death sentence.

The young lady styled my hair, added some accessories and made me look perfect for my day, but I still felt empty and hollow on the inside. My step mother barged into my room, a white dress in her hands, but when she walked closer, I realized that the white dress had lost its shine.

"The bride isn't meant to look this beautiful! Do you want her to seduce other men there?" she yelled at the young lady who cowered under her gaze, "I'm sorry, Mrs Wayne."

My step mother threw the dress on my bed, "That's your wedding gown." she said as she dragged the young lady outside, "Come decorate my daughter instead, she's worthless."

A tear prickled at the corner of my eyes, but I made sure it remained there. I wasn't going to ruin my make up with some silly tears. This was my fate; crying isn't going to get me anywhere.

Moments later, I descended the stairs in the crumpled white dress my stepmother gave to me. The dress was so ugly that I cringed at the sight of it. I wouldn't even allow my enemy to wear this.

"Emily, hurry, don't be late for your own wedding." My step mother snapped as she waited for me at the foot of the stairs, and so did my step sister Amelia and Lucas.

Wait, Lucas.

Forget my previous words about not crying. Tears fell down my cheeks as Lucas wrapped his arms around Amelia, who was decorated like the star of the day while I was dressed in a sack of rice.

"Lucas." I muttered, but my stepmother dragged me outside and pushed me into the car, "Slut, focus on your new husband." She growled as she slammed the door shut. I wiped my tears harshly, spoiling my already perfect makeup but was the least I cared about. I was more worried about the man I was getting married to, and the gruesome things he would do to me.

The drive to the hallway was peaceful, smooth, but my heart slammed against my ribcage with every passing minute. I clutched my white dress and leaned against the headboard, but it didn't help with anything. I was scared, frightened and terrified, but I had no one to share my worst nightmares with.

"We're here." The driver said as he pulled up in front of a small hotel and I cringed. It wasn't a lie when they said he was bankrupt. Since his family was well established, why didn't he work with them and join the company? Is this the kind of life I'll live for the rest of my life?

I opened the door and stepped out. My wedding day was meant to be the best day of my life with siblings, loved ones and friends next to me, but here I am, walking into my wedding hall...alone!

The wedding was about to begin but there was no sight of the groom. My father was supposed to walk me down the aisle, but I guess I'll have to do that alone today.

The hall was small so there were only a few people inside, mostly average people and a few important guests. My wedding was a disaster. It hasn't started, but I could feel it. I could tell that it was going to be a disaster.

"Here comes the bride." Someone announced as I walked down the aisle in my ridiculous wedding gown. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, which made me fume in embarrassment. I was the most hideous bride in the whole century, I didn't need anyone to tell me that. The fact that I was walking alone made me look even more ridiculous.

The priest cleared his throat and gestured for me to come close, which I did. He was an old man with gray hair, blue eyes and wrinkled skin. He held two rings in his right hands and a Bible on his left. He seemed nervous and so was I.

The groom should be here by now, but he wasn't. What in the world was he thinking? Even if this wedding was shitty, I wasn't ready to go through the humiliation alone.

A few moments later, a few of the guests left the wedding hall, kicked their cars and zoomed off. I turned around and faced the remaining guests, but I was surprised that only my family members were left, each of them holding a mocking smile on their lips.

Amelia noticed I was staring at her. She pulled Lucas closer and drawed out her tongue to mock me, but her actions made me even more broken. I turned around and faced the priest, wondering why my supposed husband was taking too long to attend his own wedding.

At the same time, an old man rushed into the hall with a suitcase in his hands. Rather than moving over to the place required for the guests, he walked towards the priest and me, sending a wave of shivers down my spine. Was this the person I was getting married to? Someone as old as my father?

The old man approached us and I took a few steps backwards. He ignored me and stood in front of the priest. The priest lowered his head and the old man whispered a few words in his ears which I couldn't make sense of. I was dying from curiosity and so was everyone who was seated there.

I badly prayed that this old man wasn't the one I was getting married to.

The priest forced a smile on his face and picked up the rings. He gestured for me to come closer, "Bride, I'm afraid you'll have to get married alone today. Your husband won't be making it to his own wedding."

"What in the world is going on?" I blurted out, "Why isn't he here yet?

Am I supposed to go through the wedding alone?"