4

Sophia

Mom took care of the wedding preparations, and Dad paid for everything. Both of them were eager to see me married to Bright after the scene in the hotel bedroom. They pressured me too much to bring the wedding forward as soon as possible to avoid my reputation being hurt. My brother wanted to kill Bright every time he was around.

I found myself trapped in a dead-end path. Disappointing my parents wasn’t an option. I was born into a family with strict values and rules. 

The expensive dress was in front of me. It was an elegant design, with long sleeves and delicate lace. The bouquet of white flowers lay on the metal vase at one side of the room. Everything looked spectacular. My marriage to Bright had to be that way. Appearance. Ours was not real, and it never would be.

I got myself into this mess. I had to take responsibility. After all, I was the one who told everyone I loved Bright. When the truth threatened to destroy me, I had to invent a lie. The consequence was maintaining my farce. But the weight of my decision was suffocating me.

Bright could have avoided mentioning the marriage. Maybe my parents wouldn’t have thought of it if he hadn’t brought it up. Who am I kidding? My parents would have ordered it, anyway.

My mind drifted to Dante. I didn’t remember how many times I imagined our wedding. It should be a perfect and blessing one. Since we were children, I have loved him with all my being. But when he turned eighteen, I discovered the truth I tried to avoid: he wasn’t my destined mate. I knew it when I didn’t feel the bond with him, the inexplicable connection that should have tied us together. However, it didn’t stop my love. I couldn’t stop loving him. I tried, but I couldn’t. I blinded myself and didn’t want to accept reality. I sealed my bond with the high priest and rejected the possibility of meeting the person destined for me.

Why? All for Dante.

But the wedding was approaching. In a few hours, I would walk down the aisle and swear eternal love to Bright.

My eyes held back tears, but I wouldn’t let them fall. My terrified expression said it all. I couldn’t hide my discontent.

Bright entered the room carefree. I wasn’t worried about him seeing me before the wedding. The stupid rule of not seeing each other before the ceremony didn’t concern us.

Bright looked calm. There was no terror in his eyes. Why wasn’t it affecting him like it was affecting me? He didn’t believe in marriage.

He noticed my serious expression and smiled.

“You still have time to change your mind, Sophia,” he joked. But he knew we couldn’t back out. Not after the promise we made to my parents and he to his.

Bright’s relaxed attitude made me a little more at ease. I sighed, turning around to look at him.

“I can take another punch so you can run out of here,” he continued.

I smiled. Bright managed to steal the only smile I gave that day. He had a sense of humor.

“Are you sure you don’t want to back out?”

Backing out meant facing my family. Bright would get hurt by my brother again. I wanted to avoid the chaos. The lie led to a wedding. I had to take responsibility.

“No, I’m not backing out of the wedding, Bright.”

“Really?” he smiled. “I thought I’d come into the room and you’d tell me you’re leaving me, my love.”

“I’m saving you from certain death, that’s why I’m marrying you,” I joked.

“I’ve found myself an empathetic bride. I like it.”

“You’ll never find a better bride than me,” I continued, trying to push the discomfort away.

“Are you planning to walk down the aisle with that face? Are you going to a wedding or another wake?”

I didn’t respond. Bright kept staring at me, attentive and smiling. He studied my face. However, his smile faded. He wasn’t being serious, but he spoke to me seriously.

“Why are you doing this, Sophia? You don’t love me. Are you doing it for Dante?”

It wasn’t new between us.

“You were the one who led us to get married,” I reminded him.

“But you could’ve said no earlier.”

“My parents wouldn’t have accepted it,” I shrugged. “And you, why are you doing this, Bright? You could’ve backed out earlier.”

"Because no one dare marry you, an impulsive woman.”

"Damn it.” I should know he can’t be serious for more than one second.

"Anyway, our marriage is fake,” The lump in my throat intensified. “You don’t love me either, Bright. We can make this work. We can have a deal,” I proposed.

Bright burst out laughing.

“You want a fake marriage? Live our lives as if nothing’s happening. Let me guess. The day one of us finds our destined mate, we’ll split up. Am I wrong?”

It was the best solution for both of us. We couldn’t bind ourselves forever. I would go crazy spending my whole life with him.

“It’s the best for both of us, Bright. You can keep sleeping with the women you want. There’s no problem with that.”

“I should warn you. I broke women’s hearts by getting engaged to you,” he crossed his arms. He kept smiling.

“You can go comfort them,” I agreed.

“Fine. But don’t complain if I come home late or find romantic messages from other women on my phone,” he warned playfully.

“Deal.”

I extended my hand. He looked at it and shook my hand. We sealed the pact.

“Let’s do this, princess.”

I came out the room and let to the hall. With the detailed direction in every position and important time, I was a perfect actress again. I smiled, I nodded, I walked,… The guests were also very kind to me. They sent the sincere congratulations. The same as the day in my brother’s wedding.

Every step took me closer to marrying Bright.

Mom and my brother were watching the wedding from the left side. Both of them looked at me distrustfully. Bright’s dad smiled contentedly. But almost no one here believed in our love. Everyone knew about Bright’s history with women. However, no one had questioned it yet. They didn’t dare to do it in front of us. But people knew. The lie was palpable in the air.

But we were all good actors.

Bright was waiting for me at the altar. His hands rested behind his back while he smiled at me. Bright knew how to fake happiness. But I didn’t. It was hard for me to smile while walking. But I had to admit something: Bright looked incredibly handsome. His black suit and the white shirt hanging off him. His hunter’s gaze and perfect hair were his best accessories. He’s an attractive man. 

“Sophia Blake, do you take Bright Hale as your husband?”

I stared Bright eyes that sparkled brightly, their beauty accentuated by a smile yet held an air of decisiveness, which were very different from Dante’s. Dante was gentler. However, Dante wasn't meant to be mine in any case. So, did it truly matter whether I married Bright or another?

“I do,” I whispered. 

“Bright Hale, do you take Sophia Blake as your wife?”

“I do,” he replied, “And I, Bright Hale, renounce my bond with my destined mate for my love for Sophia Blake."

A wave of gasps went out. Why did he do that?