Chapter 3 The Replacement Bride

ROWAN'S POV

I waited all day for Brielle to return from her shopping trip, but the hours dragged on like centuries. Each tick of the clock intensified the tightness in my chest.

At first, I brushed off the silence. She could've gotten caught up with fittings or some last-minute detours. But when the sun dipped behind the hills and shadows stretched long across the marble floors, unease began to settle in my chest.

By evening, the silence in the mansion was unbearable. I paced the marble floor, glancing at the ornate grandfather clock for the hundredth time. The ticking felt like a taunt.

What could be keeping her this long?

Unable to sit still, I called the mall where she had said she was going. Their response chilled me.

"She left hours ago, sir."

I froze. Hours ago?

Then where was she?

Panic scratched at my chest. I dropped my phone and snatched the car keys off the table. My mind jumped to only one place that made sense - the hospital. Maybe something happened to Sterling. Maybe Brielle stayed to help.

Still, unease wrapped its fingers around my throat. If it were serious, she would've called.

Wouldn't she?

I shoved the thought aside and stormed out. The keys felt heavier than usual in my grip, like they knew something I didn't.

Zoom! I sped out my compound like someone being chased.

The thirty-minute drive stretched like an eternity. When I arrived at the hospital, I parked hastily and strode toward Sterling's ward.

The hospital corridors felt colder than usual, the fluorescent lights too harsh.

Hope stirred in my chest as I reached the door.

But it shattered the moment I stepped in.

Only Giselle sat at Sterling's side, gently peeling an orange for him. Sterling looked better - color returning to his face, his breathing easy, but my heart didn't register that.

It registered only one thing: Brielle wasn't there.

"Good evening," Giselle greeted, startled by my sudden entrance.

"Good evening, Giselle. How are you today?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

"I'm fine, sir."

"And Sterling?"

"He's improving quickly. Thank you, sir."

She tilted her head. "But... is everything okay? We weren't expecting you."

I nodded slowly. "I'm actually looking for Brielle. Do you happen to know where she is?"

Her brows knitted together. "No, sir. I haven't seen her today."

A hollow sound echoed inside me. I felt like shouting but tried to suppress the pressure.

So she wasn't here either.

Brielle had simply... vanished.

My heart sank into my stomach. I raked a hand through my hair and started pacing the room.

"What the hell is going on?" I muttered under my breath. "Our wedding is in a week. People are expecting perfection. This... this is chaos."

The air in the ward grew thick. Sterling stirred in his bed. I knew I was scaring him, so I forced myself to breathe.

I turned and walked out without another word.

Back in the car, I started calling everyone I could think of - security agencies, private investigators, even a few tech-savvy friends. I gave a full description of Brielle, and stressed the urgency.

Day one passed. Nothing.

Day two. No leads.

Day three. Silence.

Yet, strangely, I remained hopeful. Some part of me believed she'd return before the wedding. Maybe she just needed space. Maybe she'd come back and laugh at my overreaction.

So I waited.

On the fourth day, exactly three days before the wedding, I stayed home. I canceled all meetings and told my staff not to disturb me unless it was urgent.

Somehow, the feeling that she would come back that day intensified. At least she has had enough space.

I sat in the living room, staring blankly at the TV.

And then..

One of the guards bursted in.

"She's here!" he said breathlessly. "Brielle's back!"

Relief flooded me. In excitement, I rushed to the entrance, ready to pull her into my arms and demand answers.

But as I drew near, it wasn't Brielle.

It was Giselle.

My face fell.

Though the resemblance was uncanny, I knew instantly. The way she walked, quieter. More uncertain. Her eyes didn't search for mine like Brielle's always did.

So, the guard's confusion made sense.

Still, what was she doing here?

She walked in calmly. I returned to the living room and sat, gesturing for her to join me.

"Good day, sir," she said politely in her gentle voice.

"Good day, Giselle. How are you doing today?"

"Fine, sir. Thank you."

I motioned for refreshments. Within moments, a maid brought in cookies and chilled lemonade and served her.

"You don't visit often. Is everything alright?"

She sipped slowly before speaking.

"Yes, sir. I... actually came with a suggestion."

"A suggestion?" My brow lifted. "Business?"

"No. Something more personal. It's about the wedding."

I leaned forward. "Go on."

"I know my sister's disappearance is sudden. I know how much this wedding means not just to you, but to your reputation. To your business and in fact everyone who cared."

I didn't respond. I was listening.

"People are waiting and watching and cancelling it..."she added.

Then, nodded slowly and interrupted.

"Yes. Cancelling now would create... chaos." I said

"That's why I came up with an idea." Her eyes met mine, steady now. "What if I took her place?"

Silence followed. It pressed against the walls.

"You want to... marry me?" I asked, incredulous.

"I want to protect what matters. You kept my brother alive, gave Brielle and me more than we imagined. And honestly, the difference between us is hardly noticeable to anyone but family."

I stared, studying her face. She wasn't wrong.

Same eyes. Same voice timbre. Same poise. Almost everything seemed similar.

But this wasn't just a wedding - it was a deal. And if she understood that...

"You're sure about this?" I asked.

"Yes sir, I am" she affirmed

" The guest list was mostly my people. The media would barely notice." I thought

Most importantly, I wouldn't have to cancel. My name would remain intact.

"I'm... impressed," I said at last. "But if Brielle returns before the wedding, the position goes back to her."

"Of course," Giselle nodded. "I only want to help."

She said it with sincerity, and I believed her.

"Alright then," I agreed. "Let's proceed."

We resumed the planning. Appointments with tailors and decorators, cake tasting, ceremony rehearsals. Giselle was graceful and cooperative.

But every night, I wondered - where was Brielle?

Days passed in a blur of preparation. And everything was moving on well at least.

Until the day of the wedding.