Chapter 1 - Only the Substitute Bride

"Samuel... Nora, she... she disappeared. Nora's not in the bridal chamber."

Samuel turned his body slowly. His eyes stared intently at the middle-aged woman standing in the doorway of the dressing room. The woman's face looked pale, her breathing ragged. Mrs. Alice, the mother of the bride-to-be—his mother-in-law.

"What do you mean, Auntie?" Samuel's voice was hoarse. "Are you kidding? There's no way Nora would run away on the wedding day."

Mrs. Alice closed her eyes for a moment. Her hands squeezed her dress. "I'm not joking, Samuel. Nora is not in the bridal suite. Auntie has looked everywhere. She didn't even have her cell phone with her."

Samuel fell silent. His throat constricted. This slap was too hard. All the media were standing outside. The big businessmen, the commissioners, the whole family. They had gathered to witness Samuel and Nora's wedding.

"Why did Nora leave? She's already embarrassed me," Samuel finally spoke up. His jaw hardened. "I can't believe she would do that to me."

Mrs. Alice looked deeply at Samuel. "Auntie doesn't believe it either. But now is not the time to discuss Nora. We have to do something for the good name of the family."

Samuel was silent; he was really very angry. His hands were clenched into fists, and his breathing was ragged.

Soon, the door creaked softly. Rebecca appeared. "Sorry... what's wrong, Auntie? Why did you call me here?"

Alice's mother looked at Rebecca. "How about you take Nora's place?"

"Wh-what?" Rebecca glared in disbelief. "I have to replace Nora? What does Auntie mean?"

"Nora ran away. We have no choice," Mrs. Alice cut in firmly. "The ceremony has already been prepared. The Wilson family is here. If this news leaks to the media, it will ruin the Wilson family's reputation and Nora's good name, Rebecca."

"But... I can't, Auntie," Rebecca whispered. "How could I possibly replace Nora as the bride?"

"Rebecca, Auntie is begging you." Mrs. Alice stepped closer, looking at Rebecca with an expectant expression.

Rebecca looked at Samuel. The man stood frozen. His gaze was sharp but blank. It was as if his mind was still trying to digest the harsh reality he had just received.

"I cannot decide unilaterally," Rebecca's voice was barely audible. "What about Mr. Samuel? Does he agree to me being his bride?"

Samuel sighed loudly, then walked over. His gaze was piercing, his face expressionless.

"If this is the only way to save Wilson's good name..." he said coldly. "Then there is no other way but to make you the bride."

Rebecca looked down. Her heart was pounding.

"Oh, all right," she replied quietly.

Samuel turned around, his hands clenched into fists.

"Help her put on the wedding dress," he ordered a dresser. "And make sure her face is covered so that no one knows who the bride is. No one should realize that the bride is Rebecca, not Nora."

"Yes, Mr. Samuel."

Then, he looked at Rebecca one more time, an unpredictable look—between anger, disappointment, and freezing cold.

"You are not the bride I want," he said flatly. "So don't ever dream of being my wife."

The words were piercing, but Rebecca just looked down. She knew she was only a substitute.

"Yes, Mr. Samuel."

***

After the wedding ceremony was over, Samuel took Rebecca to his luxurious apartment.

Arriving at the door, one of the servants bowed. "Welcome, young master. Welcome—"

Samuel interrupted immediately. "Prepare the guest room."

The servant was confused. "Maat, whose room is it, Young Master? Is it for—"

"Yes, for the lady standing next to me! Quick, just do it," Samuel cut in.

Rebecca followed Samuel in without saying anything.

Then, Samuel turned around. "Never call yourself Mrs. Wilson. In the office, you are still my secretary. You must keep that a secret."

Rebecca nodded. "I understand, Mr. Samuel."

"Remember, you must not expect more." Samuel leaned closer. "Never dream. I will find Nora. Once Nora returns, I will divorce you."

Rebecca looked at him. "I never expected anything, Mr. Samuel. I was only carrying out Aunt Alice's request."

Samuel was silent for a moment, then turned and walked away, leaving Rebecca standing. Rebecca stared at the back of the man who was now legally and religiously her husband, but he clearly did not consider her his wife.

Inwardly, she could only mutter softly, "I'm just a substitute. I know that. But shouldn't I hope? If only he knew that I was the one who—" Rebecca squeezed her wedding dress tightly, her tears flowing freely.