Chapter three

I stood at the front of the hall, my wedding gown spread across the ground. I did not crouch down to hold it, because right now nobody was here to carry me to my supposed husband's house.

Dorian had taken the car and left me stranded. My parents and my sister had not asked about me. It wasn't as if they really cared, and they must have hoped I would die. I had no cash on me.

"Miss Elena," an older man said as he walked towards me. I glanced at him, wondering who he was. He reached into his pocket and brought out a stack of cash. "Your husband asked me to give this to you, to take public transport."

I stared at the cash.

"And what of the car?" I asked. The man's expression changed as I looked around.

"He specifically told me his first love was injured and needed the full back seat for herself," he explained, his face filled with pity for me.

My hands closed on my dress.

"I will take my leave," he said quickly, handing me the cash. It felt heavy in my hands. I really couldn't believe that I had been left to take public transport on my wedding day. I had done everything my parents asked, been the good child, helped my sister whenever she needed me, and yet it never seemed enough. Any little mistake was enough to make them beat me. Sometimes I wondered if I was their child. I sighed and took the route to the bus stop.

People stared and whispered as I walked. Of course they would. I was a bride who had been left behind by her groom. I kept walking until I reached the bus stop, my veil brushing against my face whenever the wind blew. My feet were already hurting, and the long gown made it difficult to walk properly, but I had no choice but to continue.

A few people waiting at the bus stop turned to look at me. One woman whispered something to the person beside her, and they both glanced in my direction. I pretended not to notice them as I stood away from the others.

A bus finally stopped in front of us, and I quickly climbed inside, lifting my gown so I wouldn't step on it. The conductor looked at me for a moment before asking for my fare.

I brought out the money the older man had given me and paid him before finding an empty seat near the window.

The bus started moving, and I rested my head against the window, watching the streets pass by. I reached into my purse and counted the money I had left after paying for the ride.

I didn't know how things would be once I reached the Blackwood mansion. Dorian had made it clear that he didn't want me, and I wasn't sure if anyone in that house would treat me any better. I closed my purse and held it in my hands.

"Dear, are you alright?"

I turned my head and found an older woman sitting beside me. She had been watching me quietly, and her eyes moved from my face to my wedding dress.

"I'm fine," I answered, looking away.

She didn't question me further. Instead, she opened the small bag on her lap and brought out a bottle of water.

"Here, take this. You look tired."

I hesitated before accepting it.

"Thank you."

She smiled slightly and turned back towards the window, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

For some reason, that small act of kindness made my throat ache. She didn't know me, and she had no reason to care about me, yet she had offered me something without asking for anything in return. I took a small drink of water and wiped my eyes before the tears could fall.

When the conductor announced my stop, I stood up and stepped off the bus. I thanked the woman once more before the bus drove away. I turned towards the road leading to the Blackwood mansion and took a deep breath.

Whatever happened next, I would have to face it myself.

It took me several minutes to reach the tall black gates of the mansion. I pressed the bell and waited.

A security guard appeared on the other side of the gate. His eyes moved over my wedding dress before settling on my face.

"Who are you looking for?"

"I'm Elena Blackwood," I answered. "Dorian Blackwood's wife."

He stared at me for another moment before opening the gate.

I walked inside, dragging my gown behind me. By the time I reached the main entrance, the bottom of my dress had gathered dust, and my feet were aching.

Two maids stood near the doorway, talking to each other. They stopped when they noticed me.

One of them looked at my dress, then at my face, before exchanging a look with the other.

"So she's the bride," one whispered.

I heard her clearly, but I pretended I hadn't.

"Is there a problem?" I asked when neither of them moved to open the door.

They quickly straightened.

"No, ma'am," the first maid replied, though her expression showed that she had something else to say.

I walked past them and entered the mansion. The interior was beautiful, with a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling and polished floors that reflected the light. Everything looked expensive, but I couldn't appreciate any of it. I was too tired, and the way the maids had looked at me made me feel like I didn't belong there.

I was still wondering where I was supposed to go when I heard voices coming from the living room. One of them sounded familiar.

I followed the sound, and the moment I stepped into the room, I stopped.

Dorian was sitting on the sofa, his arm resting along the back of it. Lara sat beside him, leaning close enough that her head almost touched his shoulder. She was talking to him with a smile on her face, looking nothing like the injured woman who had supposedly needed the entire back seat of his car. My eyes moved from her to Dorian. So this was where he had brought her.

Lara noticed me first. Her smile widened as she sat up slightly.

"Elena," she said, sounding almost surprised. "You're here already."

I stared at her, wondering how she could act as if nothing had happened. She had accused me of locking her up, watched our mother slap me, and allowed everyone to believe I had hurt her. Yet here she was, sitting comfortably beside my husband.

Dorian finally lifted his head and looked at me. His gaze travelled over my dusty wedding dress before returning to my face.

"You made it," he said flatly.

I held my gown tighter.

"Where else was I supposed to go?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he looked away as if I wasn't worth another word. A woman sitting in the armchair opposite them let out a small laugh.

"So this is the replacement bride I've been hearing about."

I turned towards her. She had long dark hair, sharp features, and an expression that made it clear she wasn't happy to see me.

"I'm Seraphine Blackwood, Dorian's sister," she introduced herself, looking me up and down. "I hope you understand that being married to my brother doesn't mean you can do whatever you want in this house."

I looked at Dorian, waiting for him to say something, but he remained silent. Lara leaned closer to him again, her hand resting on his arm.

I stood there in my wedding dress, surrounded by people who clearly didn't want me there, and felt the little hope I had held onto during the journey disappear.

I had left my family home thinking that at least I would have somewhere to stay. But as I looked at Dorian and Lara sitting together, I realized I hadn't escaped anything.

I had only walked into another place where I would have to fight for myself.