The missing bride replacement

ARIELLE

"Arielle! Can you please hurry up? Your sister has been looking for you!"

I was still fixing my hair in front of the mirror when I heard my mother's voice outside my room. I immediately put down the hairbrush I was holding and checked my appearance one last time before opening the door.

"Mom, I'm almost done. What does Vanessa need this time?" I asked as I stepped outside.

"She needs someone to help her with her wedding dress. You know how impatient your sister can be, especially when things don't go according to her plans."

I simply nodded and followed my mother toward the bridal suite. It was only nine in the morning, but I already felt exhausted from running around the hotel since six. I hadn't even eaten breakfast because Vanessa kept asking me to do different things.

Today was my older sister's wedding, and everyone in our family had been preparing for this occasion for almost six months.

Vanessa Bennett was finally getting married to Alexander Blackwood, one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country. Their engagement had become a popular topic among wealthy families and business associates, especially because Alexander rarely appeared in public with women.

I had only met him a few times, and I couldn't say that we had a pleasant relationship. He was the kind of man who barely spoke unless necessary, and whenever he did, his words sounded more like commands than ordinary conversations.

Honestly, I didn't understand what my sister saw in him aside from his handsome face and enormous fortune.

But knowing Vanessa, perhaps those two things were already enough.

"There you are! What took you so long?" Vanessa complained as soon as I entered her room.

I looked at her before answering. She was sitting in front of the vanity mirror while two makeup artists worked on her face.

"I was just getting ready. Mom said you needed help with your dress."

"Yes, but first, can you get my earrings? I think I left them inside my bag."

I walked toward the table where her belongings were scattered and started looking for the earrings she wanted.

"Which ones?" I asked after finding three different pairs.

"The diamond ones, Arielle. Obviously."

I wanted to roll my eyes, but I stopped myself. I didn't want to start an argument with her, especially on her wedding day.

"Here."

She took the earrings without even thanking me.

"By the way, did you already check if Alexander's family has arrived?"

"Not yet. I was planning to go downstairs after helping you."

"Then hurry up. I don't want anything embarrassing to happen today."

"Okay."

I was about to leave when she suddenly called me again.

"Arielle."

I turned around.

"What?"

She looked at me through the mirror before examining my dress.

"Is that what you're wearing?"

I glanced down at my champagne-colored dress.

"Yes. Why?"

"Nothing. I just thought you'd wear something prettier. You're my maid of honor, after all."

I looked at her for a moment before forcing a small smile.

"This is the dress you chose for me, Vanessa."

"Oh, right. I forgot."

She returned her attention to the mirror as though our conversation had already ended.

I quietly left the room.

That was how things usually worked between us. Vanessa could say whatever she wanted, while I was expected to understand her mood and avoid upsetting her.

We were sisters, but sometimes I wondered whether she actually saw me as family or simply someone who would always be available whenever she needed help.

Still, I loved her.

She was my older sister, after all.

And despite our differences, I wanted her to be happy.

 

"Arielle!"

I stopped walking when someone called my name from behind. When I turned around, I saw my best friend, Chloe, approaching me with two cups of coffee in her hands.

"Finally! I've been looking everywhere for you," she said before handing me one of the cups.

"Thank you. I really needed this."

"I figured. You look like you've been working since yesterday."

I laughed softly before taking a sip.

"That's because I practically have."

Chloe shook her head.

"Your sister is getting married, not organizing a royal coronation. Why is she making you do everything?"

"Because I'm her younger sister."

"That's not a reasonable explanation."

"Well, that's the only explanation I have."

She sighed before linking her arm with mine.

"Anyway, have you seen the groom?"

"Not today."

"Well, I just saw him downstairs, and goodness, Arielle, that man is ridiculously handsome."

I laughed at her expression.

"Chloe, you're supposed to be helping me, not admiring my future brother-in-law."

"I'm just appreciating God's creation. There's nothing wrong with that."

"You're unbelievable."

"But seriously, your sister is lucky. Imagine marrying someone who looks like that and owns half the city."

"He's not exactly friendly."

"Who cares? Maybe he becomes sweet when he's in love."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Alexander Blackwood? Sweet?"

"Why not?"

"Because the last time I accidentally bumped into him, he looked at me as though I had destroyed his entire company."

Chloe burst into laughter.

"Maybe he was having a bad day."

"Or maybe that's simply his personality."

We continued walking toward the elevator while talking about the wedding preparations. Chloe had been my best friend since college, and she was one of the few people who could make me laugh even when I was exhausted.

Unlike Vanessa, Chloe never made me feel as though I needed to prove my worth just to deserve someone's attention.

"By the way, are you excited about your sister getting married?" she asked.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know. I just feel like something is strange."

I looked at her.

"Strange? What do you mean?"

She hesitated.

"Well, I saw Vanessa yesterday afternoon, and she seemed upset about something. I tried talking to her, but she immediately walked away when she noticed me."

"Maybe she was nervous."

"Maybe."

I didn't think much about it. Vanessa had been unusually irritable during the past few days, but I assumed it was because of the wedding preparations.

After all, getting married was a big decision.

Anyone would feel nervous.

At least, that was what I believed.

 

It was almost eleven when my mother called me again.

"Arielle, where are you?"

"I'm downstairs, Mom. Why?"

"Come to your sister's room immediately."

I frowned when I noticed the unusual urgency in her voice.

"Is something wrong?"

"Just come here!"

The call ended before I could ask another question.

I stared at my phone for a moment before turning toward Chloe.

"I need to go upstairs. Mom sounds upset."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, it's okay. Maybe Vanessa is just having another problem with her dress."

"All right. I'll wait for you near the reception area."

I nodded and hurried toward the elevator.

When I reached the bridal suite, I immediately noticed that the door was slightly open.

"Mom?"

I pushed the door and stepped inside.

My mother was standing beside the bed while one of the makeup artists nervously gathered her belongings.

"What's happening?" I asked.

Mom turned toward me.

"Where is your sister?"

I blinked.

"What?"

"Vanessa! Have you seen her?"

"No. I thought she was here."

My mother pressed a hand against her forehead.

"She's missing, Arielle!"

I looked around the room and noticed that Vanessa's wedding gown was no longer hanging beside the wardrobe.

"Maybe she's in the restroom."

"She's not! We've already checked!"

"Then maybe she went downstairs."

"Without telling anyone? And why would she leave her phone here?"

Mom pointed toward the vanity table.

I approached it and saw Vanessa's phone beside a small white envelope.

There was something written on the envelope.

My name.

I frowned before picking it up.

"Mom, there's a letter here."

"What letter?"

"It has my name on it."

"Then open it!"

I carefully removed the paper inside.

At first, I thought it was another reminder about something Vanessa wanted me to do.

But as I continued reading, I felt my stomach tighten.

Arielle,

I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. I know everyone will be angry with me, especially Mom and Dad, but I can't go through with this wedding.

I tried convincing myself that marrying Alexander was the right decision, but I realized that I would only make myself miserable.

Please don't look for me. I need time to figure things out.

I'm sorry for putting you in this situation.

Vanessa.

I stared at the letter.

For several seconds, I couldn't understand what I had just read.

Vanessa had left?

On her wedding day?

"Arielle, what does it say?" Mom demanded.

I slowly handed her the paper.

She read it quickly, and I watched the color disappear from her face.

"No. This can't be happening."

"Mom—"

"That foolish girl! What was she thinking?"

She immediately reached for her phone and tried calling Vanessa.

Of course, the phone on the table began ringing.

Mom ended the call and threw her own phone onto the bed.

"How could she do this to us?"

I remained silent because I didn't know what to say.

I was just as shocked as she was.

Vanessa had always been determined to marry Alexander. She had spent months choosing the most expensive wedding gown, arranging the decorations, and making sure every detail was perfect.

She even argued with our father when he suggested reducing the wedding expenses.

So why would she suddenly disappear?

And why hadn't she told me anything?

"Arielle, call your father," Mom ordered.

I immediately took out my phone.

My hands were trembling as I searched for Dad's number.

He answered after the second ring.

"Hello, sweetheart. Is everything ready? The guests are already arriving."

"Dad, there's a problem."

"What problem?"

I swallowed.

"Vanessa is gone."

There was a moment of silence.

"What do you mean, gone?"

"She left a letter. She said she doesn't want to get married."

"What?"

I closed my eyes when I heard his raised voice.

"Dad, please come upstairs."

"I'm coming."

The call ended.

I looked at my mother, who was now pacing around the room.

"Mom, maybe we should inform Alexander."

"No!"

I was startled by her sudden response.

"Why not?"

"Do you have any idea what will happen if the Blackwoods discover that Vanessa abandoned their son?"

"But he has the right to know."

"Your father will handle it."

I wanted to argue, but I knew it would be useless.

Instead, I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wedding decorations scattered around the room.

Everything had been prepared perfectly.

The flowers.

The jewelry.

The wedding invitations.

Even the expensive perfume Vanessa had specifically ordered from France.

And now, the bride was gone.

I couldn't imagine how Alexander would react.

If he had been furious over a simple accident before, what more when he discovered that his fiancée had abandoned him on their wedding day?