The billionaire's fake bride

It felt like there was only a minute between yesterday and today, Serena wished the time would be slower. She was about to do something against her will and there was no going back. Although he asked her if there was something wrong yesterday, she lied to him. With an intimidating look on her mother's face, she couldn't dare speak the truth.

As their cars drew closer to the church, a deep-seated anxiety threatened to consume Serena. She alighted from the car and was walked in by her stepdad. Each step down the aisle felt like a colossal weight pressing down on her shoulders, her legs feeling as if they were encased in heavy bands of lead. Emotions surged within her like a tempest, igniting her skin with feverish heat. What was she doing here? Panic whispered that she should have run—she tried, which made Cynthia confiscate her phones.

Silently, she prayed for a chance to dart into the restroom, to switch places with her sister. It was insufferable to think about playing this role. Identical twins, yes, but she feared that Henley might discover the truth before anyone else could.

“This is the part where you smile, Serena.” Dominic whispered to her.

“I’d rather die than smile.” She retorted

“This isn't a funeral. It's your wedding day.”

“My wedding day? Are you finally out of your mind?” She raised her voice a little bit, prompting people to gaze over. She faked a smile, shrugging off the embarrassment.

“Finally, you smiled.” Dominic snorted.

“I hate you with every bone in my body.”

Casting a glance around the church with many gazes fixated on her, Serena’s eyes locked onto a striking figure standing before the priest, engrossed in his phone as if the outside world had simply faded away. He was undoubtedly the groom, they met a few days ago when she posed as Raquel.

As she approached the altar, Henley looked up, and time seemed to slow. He was stunning, a vision of elegance, and her heart fluttered despite her anxiety. With an otherworldly charm that could captivate anyone, he seemed almost celestial. His sapphire eyes roamed over her, filling with a mix of curiosity and intrigue as if he could see through her carefully maintained façade. A broad grin broke over his handsome features, revealing an unsettling mix of warmth and desire.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I ever set my eyes on.” He whispered to her after Dominic let go of her hand.

“Uhn.” She gulped anxiously.

Her heart sank, anxiety pooling like lead in her stomach. Despite the alluring smile gracing his lips, unease settled deep within her. She couldn’t fathom how her sister had become enamored with this man, choosing to enter into a marriage with someone who exuded both charm and darkness. His presence alone was intimidating.

“I’m not seeing your sister or your mother. Why are they not here?”

With a casual grace, he squeezed her hand, his smile wide and inviting.

“Raq… Serena will be running late. She has something important to handle at the hospital.” She paused momentarily.

“Oh. I've been looking forward to the day I'll finally meet her. We've never gotten the chance to meet before.”

“She felt the same way. I'm sure she won't want to miss this exquisite wedding for anything.” She said slowly. Knowing that she needed to be careful with her words, she took her time to compose her reply.

His eyes roamed her body, one thing was certain she wasn't wearing the wedding dress that was originally prepared for her. “The dress, it looks good on you.”

Being close to him donned in another wedding gown, a web of uncertainty clouded her thoughts. She assumed this would be the first topic of conversation between them later, but keeping her composure proved nearly impossible. After all, she refused to wear her sister's gown because originally it was meant for her. Internally, her pulse thrummed loudly in her ears. The bouquet felt heavy in her trembling hand, while her eyes focused on the ground, deliberately avoiding contact with Henley’s penetrating gaze.

“The dress…One of the maids accidentally spilled a drink on my dress. I'm sorry I have to wear this instead.”

He shook his head, not upset about the dress. “This also looks great on you. There's no reason for you to feel bad for coming in a new dress. I love this.”

Hearing that, she let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. “Thank you. I thought you're going to get upset about it?”

“What do you think of me, sweetheart?” He gazed intently into her eyes.

“I know how much you love the dress.” She whispered.

“Well, I love you.” He winked at her.

The priest stepped forward, announcing the solemn ritual about to unfold. “Do you, Raquel Williams, take Henley MacDonald as your lawful husband? Promise to love him and cherish him till death do you apart…”

Her throat constricted tightly, a knot of anxiety tightening with each passing moment. Slowly, she lifted her gaze, her heart racing as she sought a view of his face. In that charged moment, she understood that the words teetering on the edge of her tongue felt sacred—carrying weight far beyond her own. Yet, as she looked upon him, a beautiful smile illuminated his features, one that belonged to someone else but felt unnervingly genuine.

Without fully realizing it, the response slipped from her lips. “I do.”

“Do you, Henley MacDonald, take Raquel Williams as your lawful wife? Promise to love her and cherish her till death do you part?”

His answer came swiftly, filled with certainty and focus. “I do.” His gaze remained steadfast upon his bride, unwavering in its intensity.

“By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

At that moment, the words fell like a heavyweight in Serena’s chest, threatening to crush her under their gravity. Her eyes widened as if they might leap from their sockets, and a tremor coursed through her body, fueled by a tempest of disbelief. The echo of the priest's proclamation resonated in her mind, a relentless thrum that drowned out all else.

As if in slow motion, Henley reached up to raise her veil, revealing her enchanting features. He inclined closer, his gaze locked onto her striking marble-gray eyes, the world around them fading into oblivion. Just as their lips were on the brink of touch, an impulse surged through Serena, prompting her to extend her hand—not to contact, but to halt.

“Stop!” She cried, the word slicing through the tension like a sharp blade, balls of sweat formed on her forehead.