Her Return

Celine's POV 

3 months later;

Tears gathered in my eyes as I stared out of the window, wearing the dress that belonged to my step sister, Emilia. 

I still cannot believe that this was happening. Just yesterday, I had thought that I would be a guest at the wedding, and now, 24 hours later...I was the substitute bride who was about to walk down the aisle to marry a complete stranger. Rowan Sinclair.

" Are you ready?" Eleanor, my step mother asked as she walked into the room 

" Eleanor, I don't think I can do this" I said to her in almost a whisper. My voice shook as I faced her 

"What do you mean you can't do this?" She asked with a look of disbelief written all over her face. " We already spoke about this Celine....you are doing this for the family " She said with no hint of emotion

" But... can't we just... " I tried to argue but she cut me off 

" No buts Celine. The decision has already been made!" She blurted out to my face and then picked up the veil that layed on the table.

Just then, my father walked in. 

"Is she ready?" He asked 

" Oh Tobias, ... she's beginning to have second thoughts. We can't cancel! We can't call off the wedding!" Eleanor replied him as she feigned concern and fear.

Second thoughts? I never agreed to this in the first place. They had barged into my hotel room very early this morning to announce the fact that Emilia had disappeared and that I had to fill in for her...I mean, who does that?

"One thing Celine, just one thing that I ask from you and you want to refuse? ....where is your conscience?" My father barked at me as he neared us.

" Dad.." I called out as tears streamed down my face 

" This is your one chance to prove yourself Celine! This is your chance to prove yourself as my daughter...our daughter!" He continued as he faced me and held my shoulders with both hands.

" I really don't understand what you are afraid of..... this is Rowan Sinclair we are talking about " Eleanor chipped in and then continued " Emilia must have had her reasons for leaving......but you, what is your excuse? " She asked 

I couldn't believe my ears. I could literally give them 20 reasons why this was a terrible idea right now. If marrying Rowan was such a dream come true, why then did Emilia leave? Why did she runaway the morning she was supposed to walk down the aisle? 

Why aren't they worried about her? Why aren't they upset with her? 

A thousand and one questions ran through my mind as I stood there.

" My political career is on the line Celine, do you want to see your father suffer? Do you think it wouldn't affect you? We can't risk getting on the bad side of the Sinclairs!" My father ranted as he paced the room.

I knew deep down that all he cared about was his position as the city Mayor, even if it means selling off his daughter.

" Now wipe your tears off, it's almost time" Eleanor said as she placed the wedding veil on my hair with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. " I will ask the make up artist to come retouch your face, you've already ruined it with your tears" she added 

At this point, I couldn't breath properly. The dress didn't even fit me well, it was too tight! They didn't care how I feel. They didn't care if I was ready to give my life away. All they cared about was the family reputation and I was the sacrifice that had to be made.

Because I didn't matter. Not for once did I ever matter. Only Emilia did.

Tears streamed down my face as I jerked awake.

My breath caught me in the chest as my eyes flickered with leftover fear..., but the smell of citrus and coffee filled the air. 

As I processed my environment, it all began to dawn on me. It was a dream. A terrible dream. 

I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for the fact that I didn't have to relive that moment, that horrible moment of my life that happened over 2 years ago. 

I could hear the soft hum of an engine, the subtle pressure of altitude. After 3 months of being away, I was finally returning back to Chicago...,Homebound.

I glanced at my reflection in the small cabin window as I wipped off the tears on my face. I still couldn't believe that I had cried in real life despite it being a dream. 

I had cut my hair shorter, dyed it a soft sultry auburn and lastly, the look on my face was different. My eyes didn't belong to the woman who stood trembling behind ivory satin. It was a good different, and I loved it.

40 minutes later after we landed at the airport, I sighted Maryjane from afar as she awaited my arrival. 

By the time I got to her, she was grinning like she had won the lottery. " Oh my God!" Maryjane gasped as she pulled me into a big hug. " Who are you and what did you do to my best friend?" She asked 

I laughed softly as I replied. " Apparently she didn't make it, customs held her back " 

" Seriously Celine...I still cannot believe this is you!" She continued as she released me " you look soo different " 

" I hope that's a good thing?" I asked 

" Absolutely. I love that you cut your hair short, you even dyed it!" She brushed my hair with her fingers as she spoke. " The old Celine would have never done this!" 

I watched as she stepped back to admire my whole appearance.

" Well, that Celine is no more " I said to her 

" This coat is absolutely gorgeous!" Maryjane continued " Girl you look like you eat men in boardrooms for breakfast " 

I giggled and then smirked at her words " well, just the ones who ask stupid questions....., where's our ride? I'm exhausted " I added 

" Right this way ma'am " she replied as she took one of my boxes and then lead us to her car.

Few minutes later, we were on our way to my new apartment.

" I'm still waiting to hear what inspired this new look you know" Maryjane started 

I shrugged my shoulders in response. " I needed to get rid of everything that reminded me of my past, and that hair was a constant reminder " I explained 

" Ohhh, I absolutely agree with you......now you look soo different! And I'm really digging it!" She commented 

I smiled as I allowed her words to digest into my system. This was exactly what I was hoping for. I want people to see me and understand the drastic change that I had to go through...and why. 

Gradually, the mood shifted. ....softer.

" They didn't look for you" Maryjane said quietly and then added. " Not your father, not your step mother, not Emilia" 

I looked out of the window as she spoke. I wasn't surprised at all. I was nothing but a sacrificial lamb to them. They never loved nor cared about me, not even my father.

" I know" I replied her firmly 

" Doesn't that bother you?" Maryjane asked as she drove 

My lips curved faintly. "No. That's the freedom in letting go. You stop caring. And right now, I don't care anymore " I blurted out 

If only those words were true. If only I could a hundred percent believe in those words, but unfortunately I do not, because deep down, I knew I still cared. 

But I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of letting them know.

" Well I am glad that you are doing better" She commented as I nodded in response.

As we turned to a quiet street towards my new apartment, Maryjane said " I really don't understand why you refused to move in with me.....my apartment is big enough for the both of us "

" I know MJ, and I really appreciate the offer, but I really need to be on my own for now.." I explained " besides, you just got engaged, I really do not want to intrude on you and your fiancé...you need that space with him " 

I watched as she struggled to agree with my response. " Fine!" She blurted out and then continued. "Although it would have been perfect if you had collected money from the divorce " 

" You already know why I didn't " I replied her almost immediately. I didn't want Rowan's money and I never will. I can manage on my own. 

Speaking of which, I need to get in touch with Mr Timothy, my divorce attorney. Due to my rush to get out of Chicago, I wasn't able to follow up on the divorce precedings. But he had assured me that the divorce papers had gotten to Rowan's office. 

He definitely would have signed it.

 " ....and the company? Are you ready to come back? I already informed the staffs about it" Maryjane asked, interrupting my intrusive thoughts 

" Yes....but definitely not as Celine Sinclair" I replied her firmly . 

But as the woman I became when no one was watching. 

I had walked away to disappear, now, I am back to dominate.