Bride swap

Iris Jones, the younger daughter of the Jones family is standing on the Altar, taking her vows with Xavier Knight.

"Natasha Jones, do you take Xavier Knight as your lawfully wedded husband" the priest's words felt like a nail on Iris's head. She was not supposed to stand there pretending to be her elder sister Natasha who is the actual bride. No one recognized that the bride under the veil is switched and the original bride is currently lying in the hospital after her miscarriage of a pregnancy they never know existed. Even Natasha was not aware of her pregnancy from a one night stand until the miscarriage. Fate must be cruel, because Natasha miscarried just 15 mins before she was supposed to walk the isle. Blood dripping down her thighs and almost ruined the wedding dress which she was supposed to put on.

"I do" those two syllables felt like a betrayal. To Xavier, and to her boyfriend Chase.

Baron Jones has built the reputation of their family with his hardwork and dedication. A scandal like this would make that reputation to go down faster than a stack of cards. Because, Natasha was the smart and perfect daughter, and the daughter who is supposed to become the next CEO of the Jones group. Iris is the soft and gentle daughter. Baron Jones used to feel that his two daughters are his pride. After Natasha's wedding was arranged with The Xavier Knight, the Jones reputation skyrocketed.

Xavier Knight, the man who's names whispers fear. The person who defines power. The same man who pinched her chin over her veil and kissed her lips as if its too troublesome to lift her veil. His mouth is set in a straight line, as if attending his own marriage is too much to ask for. The man who just look at you, but feels like he is looking into your very soul.

"I now pronounce you as husband and wife" the priest's words are drowned by the thunderous applause of the guests. Everyone is an elite here, dressed to their nines.

Time blurred by as Iris stood there stiffly while murmuring a polite thank you to everyone who came to congratulate the couple. Throughout all this, Xavier didn't said a word to her. She considered that her blessing. She cannot afford to raise his suspicion. She has to hold this charade until Natasha comes back from hospital. After that, she can go back to being Iris Jones while Natasha handles her husband. The ring on her finger felt too cold and too heavy, or it might be her guilt.

"Mr. Knight, its time" Xavier Knights assistant, Luis Carson informed his boss.

Iris stilled. Her heart started to pound like a drum. She glanced around the crowd with desperation. Natasha should have come back by now. When she didn't move, Xavier grabbed her by her forearm and escorted her to his waiting car. The car ride to the hotel where the newly weds are supposed to consumate the marriage was filled with silence. Iris was coiled up tightly like a spring.

'Natasha promised that she would be the one to spend the night with her husband. Then why is she not here? Where is mom and dad?' Iris though as her palms started to sweat with tension.

Too soon they reached the hotel. Xavier escorted her to the presidential suite where the room is dimly lit, fit for what was to happen here. The calming aroma couldn't calm Iris. She is on the verge of hyperventilating.

"Your sister had food poisoning. Your dad called me. You can use my phone to talk to your family" Xavier Knights deep voice rang in the otherwise quiet room. Iris almost jumped with fright.

Xavier dissappeared into the bathroom, while Iris hurriedly dialed her father. She doesn't remember where she forgot her own phone.

"Iris, I am so sorry" Candace Jones whispered the moment the call was connected. Both Baron and Candace loves both their daughters the same. That apology was filled with so much guilt and helplessness, that Iris's heart palpitated. She is getting a very bad feeling.

"Mom?" she whispered. Her question laced with so many questions, that she doesn't know where to start.

"Natasha lost too much blood before we could bring her to the hospital undetected. She is still unconscious. Doctors said, that she should stay away from intimacy for atleast a month" Candace said on a chocked whisper.

"Mom?" Iris felt hopeless. She could guess where this is going. Marrying Xavier while pretending as Natasha is in itself a betrayal. But this..

"Iris, Dad wanted to call Xavier and come clean about everything. But we cannot afford the consequences. The Knights demanded a Virgin Daughter-in-law. We all know Natasha is not a virgin. Xavier Knight would find out soon if he sleeps with her. But you are a virgin, if you could pretend as your sister for one night, everything will be settled" Candace murmured, sounding stressed and anxious.

Iris bit her lip to stop the tears. If Baron really comes clean about all of this, then the Knights would make sure to ruin the Jones family. Xavier is known to be ruthless. What they did is not a mistake, but a betrayal. And he would never forgive the Jones. But sleeping with Xavier?

"But mom?" Iris whispered.

The reason why Baron arranged Natasha's wedding with Xavier is because the Jones group is in legal trouble. One of the shareholders did something shady using the company name, now the entire company is under the lens. Baron Jones could go to prison. Only the Knights name is shielding the Jones from completely going bankrupt overnight.

Candace didn't reply for a minute. She knows what's riding on this wedding. Offending the Knights would be the last nail on the Jones coffin.

"Dad would go to prison. We will be on the streets by morning. Everyone would mock us, and we would become homeless if not dead" Candace painted the picture of their near future if Iris didn't help them.

Iris knows that there is no other way. If there was, Baron wouldn't have arranged this marriage in the first place. She wanted to refuse. But the thought of watching Baron being escorted by the cops made her stop.

"Even though you didn't give birth to me, you raised me with care. This may be my chance to repay you and dad. I will pretend as Natasha for one night. I will break up with Chase tomorrow" Iris whispered trying to swallow her own tears.

"Iris.." Candace is openly crying now. But what can they do? If its keeping up with the facade or watching Baron Jones in the prison, then Iris would pretend as Natasha for one night and give her virginity to the last man she should be giving it to.

She disconnected the call when she heard the shower being turned off. She never thought that she would lose her virginity to her brother-in-law. Chase's face flashed in her mind. His loving smile, his caring nature. Her heart ached when she remembered what she is doing now.