Chapter 5: Forced Groom

Anna jumped to her feet at once. "Dalton is here?"

"Yes, Ma'am. He's waiting at the altar," the butler quickly explained.

Anna grabbed her dress, running out of the room. Her father caught her arm, stopping her.

His face was gentle but stern. "Anna, don't rush, please. I want you to think this through. You can still decide."

Anna looked back at her father. "I'm deciding to marry him."

***

The massive church doors swung open, revealing the beautiful silhouette of the bride, from her veiled face, to her beautiful wedding dress flaring from her waist down to the ground.

A slow, soulful music is heard, tugging at the hearts of the guests. They tearfully took in the appearance of the bride, in awe of what they were seeing.

Anna looked positively radiant as she walked down the aisle. One arm on her father, the other holding her bouquet that she had delicately arranged herself.

She moved through the aisle, the train of her dress moving elegantly with each step she takes.

Anna felt the slight tremble of her father's arm. She turned to look at him.

He tried to smile at her. "I hope I'm doing the right thing, handing you to him."

"This is my decision as well, Dad," she squeezed her father's arm. "Dalton is a good man."

"I hope he continues being so," his eyes are now serious.

"Of course he will." Anna assured her father.

But looking at Dalton now, Anna is sure that the Dalton she once knew is long gone. He had changed ever since she had refused to break off their engagement.

Dalton, the same man who cherished her ever since they were kids. The man who would always give her the biggest smile whenever he sees her.

The one who was always so playful and genuine towards her. That same man now stood at the altar regarding her with cold deep eyes.

He is now treating her like she is the spiteful villain of his life. The man who once adored her and wouldn't let anyone harm her, now treats her worse than he would treat a stranger.

Anna's tears started to fall one by one. She remembered the time when a boy tried being mean to her when they were kids.

Dalton came to her rescue at once. The boy had tried asking young Anna to play with him, but she had refused. In his anger, he pushed her to the ground.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she was ready to put up a fight. That was when Dalton arrived in front of her all of a sudden.

"Don't touch her!" He had said. "You're not even worthy to look at her."

"Says who?" the foolish boy shouted at him.

Dalton threw one punch, and they never heard from the boy again.

Anna had boasted that she would have been fine by herself, but Dalton told her that he wanted to help her anyway. In truth, Anna had been secretly grateful for Dalton that time.

Now, she wishes that the old Dalton would be back after their wedding.

They reached the altar. Gordon Delgado tearfully handed Anna to Dalton.

"I hope you'll treat her how she deserves to be treated. Love her with all your heart, regardless of how you two were brought to the altar." He squeezed their hands together.

Dalton nodded.

Gordon looked him in the eye. "I'm giving you my full trust, Dalton."

Anna and Dalton turned to face the priest. The wedding formalities are now starting.

Anna's eyes welled up once more. The priest smiled softly at her. Dalton noticed her tears as well, and in the way she's the only one who ever notices, she can tell that he was getting annoyed at her.

She couldn't focus on the wedding, when the man she was marrying was acting as if he didn't want to be touched by her.

She can't imagine how Dalton ever managed to be this disgusted of her. It's like he threw away the relationship that they have built ever since childhood for some girl.

Anna didn't even know he liked someone. She didn't know that such a girl existed.

Anna snapped back to reality when the priest was reciting Dalton's duties as a husband.

She tried to feel Dalton's reaction. But her breathing slowed down and eventually stopped when she realized that Dalton seemed like he was not about to answer.

Five seconds had passed, and Dalton was still not answering. She was about to turn her head to look at him, when she felt him tense up beside her.

Something he does when he is trying to hold his anger inside. Or as she knows too well, was being forced to do something he doesn't like.

Finally, he uttered the words slowly and sharply, "I do."

And at that moment, Anna was sure that her husband absolutely hated her.