53. Calling off!

Author's POV

Emerald was sitting like a statue of stone while Layla was getting herself ready

Her mother was sitting in the same room, watching her silently. 

"You are ready!"

Layla stepped back from her. 

Emerald refused to see herself in the mirror, she was not courageous enough to look at herself as a bride now. 

It was a dream once but now it's a nightmare. 

Layla walked out leaving her alone with the mother. 

Emerald got up to leave but her mother called her. 

They talked, and Emerald walked out alone. She stepped out and could feel her body feeling the pain of her soul; her feet never felt so heavy. She never felt so suffocated.

If it weren't for her mother, then she would have ended all of this for good. 

Now she realised why the mad King always advised her to detach from emotions, because this is where emotions betray you. 

She froze when she saw people waiting for them, all eyes were on her. Laughing at her silently, mocking her with eyes, showing pity on her and whatnot. This is not how she imagined her wedding to be. 

Everything is there that she once wanted. The groom, once a lover but an enemy now. Dream gown, which is a mockery now, beautiful venue, which will haunt her always, she will become a queen again, but it will be a cage for her.

She took a deep breath and walked towards the aisle, head high and the attitude of a queen which comes to her naturally. Her heels tapped on the floor, making a few men step back. 

She stepped on the aisle, alone! 

Egon wasn't there; he should have been present there before her, but his place was empty. She stood there staring into nothing; everyone was waiting for him, but no one dared to complain. 

Ruby wiped her sad tears while watching her sister, this is how her life was going to be. 

Unpredictable, controlled and with humiliation. 

Emerald looked at the entrance, Egon was nowhere. She couldn't understand what he was trying to do. It was he who was so pressed on getting married, and now he is the one who is missing. 

After a good time, Egon finally came to the view. His bodyguards guarded the way to the aisle before he stepped ahead. 

Emerald looked at him blankly. He was in a tuxedo. Steps were dominating and heavy. His eyes were filled with pain, as if tears would escape at any time. His body language was different; he should be enjoying his victory, but he wasn't. 

He stood in front of her on the aisle. Their eyes met, both filled with pain and tears. 

The priest asked Emerald first if she was ready to accept him as a husband. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly shut. 

"I do!"

She mumbled under her breath but loud enough for him to hear. 

Priest then asked Egon the same thing. Emerald closed her eyes tightly, knowing her life was really taking a drastic turn. She was ready to hear him, but what he said really shocked her, along with everyone present there. Her eyes snapped open as she stared at him in disbelief. 

"I don't!"

He said out loud. 

Emerald stood there, stunned, as he walked away after calling off the wedding. She was still processing what had happened. Guests walked away, leaving the venue empty. 

She shook her fuzzy head and turned her head towards the entrance and saw her mother standing there with a sad smile. 

Emerald's stomach churned when she realised her mother did this. 

"Mom?"

She mumbled. 

Her mother wiped her tears and walked away. 

Emerald grabbed her head, she should have stopped her mother. She should have known that she would do this after the conversation they had in the makeup room. 

Flashback....

Her mother got up when Layla closed the door. 

She grabbed Emerald's chin and made her look at her. 

"You look beautiful!"

"Sit down! He has cameras everywhere..."

Emerald scolded her. 

"He doesn't need to know that you are mentally stable."

"I don't care..."

Martina cupped her face. 

"Escape!"

"I can't, he will kill you."

Emerald removed her hands from her face. 

"I have lived my life, my child... Now tell me, do you want to live a life like me... I don't see any difference between the Mad King and Egon... You know how my life was... Don't become another Martina... Escape, Emerald!"

"It's impossible... He will find me."

She shook her head. 

"You don't know him. This is my life, Mom... Maybe I am fated to live a life like you..."

"I didn't make you heartless for this day... I told you not to fall in love and you did exactly that... Why did you walk on my path when you knew how it ended up for me?"

Martina's eyes filled with water. 

Emerald got up frustrated. 

"Can you stop acting normal? Why don't you understand that it's not good for your safety... I'll handle this, stay back."

She walked out of the room disheartened. 

Martina shook her head.

"I won't let you become another Martina, Emerald..."

She opened the door and went to Egon.

Egon was getting ready for the wedding. He had tightened the security so Emerald won't run away. Even Ruby wasn't allowed to meet her. 

He was about to leave when someone opened the door and he frowned. 

It was Emerald's mother. She entered and closed the door behind her. 

"I need to talk to you."

Egon raised his eyebrows. 

"Martina! So you are perfectly fine. I assume your daughter knows about it."

He was going to punish her for this lie.

Martina closed the door behind her. 

"Emerald is not your culprit... It's me! I deserve your punishment."

Egon's frown deepened.

"I am all ears."