Chapter 5 BRIDE SECRET

The hall was soaked in beauty.

Elegantly designed. Fresh flowers bloomed in every corner of the waiting room.

Yet the room remained too quiet for a wedding day.

Annabel sat in the center of her room, her hands trembling softly on her laps.

Her friends moved around in silence, helping her adjust her gown.

One of her friends, Amber, paced near the window, worries darkening her eyes.

"Come on Amber," Annabel said with a weak smile, "It's just a wedding. How difficult can it be?"

"Just a wedding?" Amber snapped, startling everyone.

"No Annabel. This is a death sentence."

She stepped forward Annabel, leaning forward, whispering, "You can still run away, it's not too late."

Before Annabel could respond, Priyanka pulled Amber away. "Stop scaring the bride" she said dryly.

Then she turned to Annabel, her tone softening.

"Are you sure about this?" Her voice broke . "Reynold is....is a difficult man to deal with."

"Difficult!..." Amber scoffed, "he's scary" she leaned forward whispering again, "I heard he beat his first wife to death."

Annabel's heart skipped. Her legs weakened beneath her crystal lace wedding gown.

Her lips parted in disbelief. She shook her head "I-I can't do this...." she whispered nervously, looking between them for permission to escape.

Amber didn't hesitate. She nodded with pride. Already half way through the door. "Let's go."

Annabel sprang up, with a new determination in her eyes. "Let's go." She repeated.

Just when they were about to leave, Priyanka blocked their path.

"What are you both thinking?" She said sternly. "Today is your wedding day, think about why you are doing this in the first place."

Tears blurred Annabel's eyes.

Her mind flashed back to earlier that day.

The door burst open. Annabel stood at the entrance of the door, rage pulsing through her veins as she approached Samantha.

She threw a pack of wedding invitations at her. "What is this?" She shouted."What is this Samantha?" Her voice grew louder.

Samatha stayed composed, bending calmly to pick up the cards. Her brow raised, waiting for Annabel to drop her case.

"Why does it say here that I am getting married to Reynold." Her voice shook with fury.

Samantha smirked, giving her a clueless look. "That's because you are getting married to Reynold, who else?"

Annabel closed her eyes tightly. Inhaled deeply as if she's trying to calm her nerves.

"You said the marriage alliance was with Daniel," she whispered, "what happened?."

"Does it matter?" a wicked smile curved on her lips. She approached her gently, fixing her scattered hair. "You will become an Emerson. You will save our family, that's what matters."

Annabel's heart pounded. Her eyes narrowed, glaring at Samantha. "The least you could have done ...was to be honest".

She ran out of the room slamming the door.

Back at the waiting room, the door opened gently.

A middle aged woman walked in. "The bride should be ready, it's time."

Amber and Priyanka both turned to Annabel, staring at her with concern and pity.

Annabel walked slowly down the aisle. Violin playing a cool melody in the background. The guest sat quietly wearing fake smiles. Most of them were people she barely recognized.

Her pearl-white gown hugged her tightly. A veil covering her face, masking her silent tears.

She didn't want this.

Reynold stood at the altar- cold, still and unreadable.

He looked like a statue carved from ice. He didn't reach for her hand- she reached out first and finally their eyes met.

For the first time today, she really saw him.

Those eyes.....

Her chest tightened. Her breath hitched.

She has seen those eyes before. The same blue eyes that lingered in her memories. The man who couldn't escape her thoughts after a stolen kiss.

He's the one!

Her eyes widened. Her gaze fixed on him. Her lips parted slightly, she really wanted to ask.

What could he be thinking?

Did he plan their first meeting- did he kiss her on purpose.

Several thoughts ran through her mind.

Still when the priest asked if she would take him as a husband, she found herself whispering..." I DO."

Reynold stood before her, tall, calm and strikingly handsome. His hair was neatly styled, dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, perfectly tailored.

He reached for her veil, slowly lifting them. The smile on his lips vanished. His eyes widened with fury.

"You are not Carrie" his voice was low but dangerous.

Annabel blinked, "what!".

She looked at him confused but without warning, he grabbed her neck. Pulled her closer to himself. Strangling her tightly.

"Where... is... Carie?" He growled.

Annabel gasped, choking helplessly in his arms, struggling in his grip. Her hand claws at his wrist, desperate and terrified.

She shifted her head to the crowd. And there, her sisters, sitting like queens in the first row, smiling..... as though enjoying the moment.

Her heart pounded.

Legs trembled.

Her fingers grew weaker.

Is this where it ends?