Chapter 1 The Wedding

My heart raced in my chest as I answered the nurse's call. "Hello," I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady, though I could feel my hands trembling.

"Hello Eli, how are you doing?" she replied, her tone warm but distant.

"I'm okay. Is dad okay? Is he fine?" I asked, panic rising in my throat. I feel like this everytime I get a call from her. I pray that she's not calling to give me bad news.

"His condition is unchanged," she replied carefuly. "But I'm calling because of the surgery... uhm... Mr. Baldwin's surgery is still pending due to uhm... delayed payments. I'm afraid if it's not paid soon, his condition could worsen."

"What?" I gasped. "How is it delayed when my stepmom paid for it yesterday?"

"Yeah, about that. She didn't really make a payment. She came by, but made no transaction. I thought I should let you know."

I felt the room spin around me. My head throbbed with disbelief and anger. "This can't be happening. She told me she took care of it."

"She probably got confused. But I'm certain she didn't make the payment, Eli."" Her voice softened a bit, but the urgency was still there. "I don't want to worry you, but you really need to sort this out quickly. Mr. Baldwin's condition could deteriote. However, we cannot move forward without the payment."

"Oh my God, just hold on, okay?" I begged. "I'll sort it out. I'll make sure you get paid soon. Just... please hold on." My hands are shaking as I hang up the phone.

Something wasn't right. My stepmother had to be lying! There was no way she would forget something as important as paying for Dad's surgery.

I scanned the wedding hall around me, desperately looking for my stepmother. I have a feeling that she was up to something. I could tolerate her little tricks, but not when it came to my father's health. I'm not going to let this one slide.

Walking around the wedding hall, I noticed my stepmother's best friend, Emily. I rushed over to her, hoping she could tell me where my stepmother was. "Hello Emily. Do you know where Sarah is?"

She glanced around the hall for a moment before she turned her attention to me. "No, I don't. But look at you, Eli! You look great. Congratulations!" she exclaimed, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around me.

I furrowed my brows, feeling a wave of confusion wash over me as I pulled away from her. "Why are you congratulating me?" I asked, puzzled.

"For the wedding, what else? I'm so happy for you! But I didn't think you'd get married so quickly, especially with your dad in the hospital and everything going on," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

Emily can be many things, but I don't think she would mix up such an important detail. This is not my wedding. It's my stepsister, Hannah's. Surely, she knew that!

"It's Hannah's wedding, not mine," I corrected her.

For a moment, she looked confused, her brow furrowing as she opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say something, I cut in. I don't have time for anything other than finding Sarah. "Excuse me, Emily. I'll talk to you later. I really have to find Sarah now."

I walked past a couple of guests who were also

offering their congratulations with smiles on their faces.

'Why do they keep congratulating me?' I thought, my mind reeling. 'I look nothing like Hannah!'

I could not even focus on how absurd it all were, because right now, all I could think about was my father's surgery.

As I looked around, scanning the crowd for Sarah, Emily's daughter, Carol, suddenly approached me. "You look beautiful, Eli. Congratulations!"

Once again, I felt a rush of confusion as to why she said that. Though, I managed to say, "Umm... thanks?" Then I quickly added, "Do you know where Sarah is? I really need to talk to her."

"I haven't seen her. She must be somewhere around here. Anyway, how are you feeling? You must be very happy."

"Happy about what?" I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion.

"The wedding, of course!" she replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I stared at her, momentarily at a loss. "It's not my wedding, Carol. It's Hannah's. Anyway, it's important that I find Sarah,"

I said, my voice tinged with urgency as I quickly excused myself.

As I wandered through the venue, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Guests kept approaching me, offering heartfelt congratulations as if I were the bride. It was surreal and perplexing.

I finally spotted Jasmine, the wedding planner. She greeted me with a bright smile, and I couldn't help but ask, "Jasmine, why is everyone congratulating me?"

She scoffed with a chuckle, "Are you kidding?"

"No. What's going on?" I pressed, my heart racing.

"Wait. You seriously don't know?" she sked, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Can you just tell me already? It's pretty weird that everyone is congratulating me."

"Well, it's because this is your wedding, Eli. You're the bride." she stated matter-of-factly.

"What?!" I felt blood draining from my face. "I-I'm getting married?"

Jasmine laughed, clearly caught up in the excitement. "Of course! Why are you acting so surprised?"

Before I can respond, the banner drops on the stage, revealing the sign, "Eli & Malik... bound for eternity."

This isn't happening. This can't be happening.

I shake my head vigorously. "I'm not getting married!" I snapped, my mind racing. "Hannah is supposed to marry him, not me!" My voice was shaking now, a mixture of disbelief, anger, and panic.

"Oh, Sarah didn't tell you?" Jasmine asked, her grin faltering as she took a step back.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. "Tell me what?"

"Hannah backed out, Eli. She didn't want Malik. So you're getting married to him today." Jasmine's smile returned, as if it were some kind of happy accident.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling like the ground had been ripped out from under me. I was supposed to be helping with Dad's surgery, not walking down the aisle.

Sarah messed up big time!

There is no way I'm going to let her get away with this!