THE JOURNEY OF NO RETURN

It was his first time meeting this lady, and he began to wonder why she would put on rags on her wedding day.

“What’s wrong with you, Ella? Do you really want to lie that you aren’t the one in that picture?”

She ran back to her seat, pulled out her phone, and under everyone’s gaze opened her gallery. Zooming in on a picture, she turned the screen for all to see. The entire hall froze in shock. Then she turned to Ella and showed the phone to her.

Cold sweat broke out on Ella’s forehead. The girl in the picture was indeed her.

Ella closed her eyes, tears rolling down uncontrollably. She had not forgotten that fateful day. Mrs. Madison and Maya had personally taken her to a bridal shop, pretending to choose a dress with love and care. Everyone in the shop had praised Mrs. Madison for taking time out of her busy schedule to select a wedding gown for her supposed “daughter.”

That morning, Mrs. Madison had persuaded Maya to lend Ella her makeup kit and one of her red gowns, the one that stopped just above the knees. Only after Ella had given Maya two thousand dollars did Maya grudgingly drag her into her bedroom. She applied a little makeup on Ella’s face, then threw the red gown at her with disdain.

“Take it and wear it. Don’t waste my time.”

Ella had caught the gown, sincerely thanked her, and gone out to the veranda where she usually slept to change her clothes. After dressing up, they left together in the same car that carried them to the bridal shop.

When they alighted, all eyes turned. Whispers followed them. Many envied the sight of a mother walking in with two beautiful daughters.

Inside, the manager rushed out to meet them and personally attended to their needs, giving them VIP treatment. He brought out a gown of stunning beauty and helped Ella try it on. The moment she stepped out in the handless white wedding dress, the entire shop gasped.

The dress hugged her figure, the bodice cut just above her breasts. Sparkling particles of blue diamond shimmered over her chest, making her look breathtaking. For the first time, Ella had felt like a bride.

Her eyes shone with happiness. Mrs. Madison had even taken out her phone and snapped countless pictures. When they finished, she paid for the gown. The manager personally packaged it with the accessories and handed the parcel to Maya. That was the last time Ella ever saw the dress.

Thinking about it now, Ella felt her strength draining. She nearly collapsed but managed to hold her balance.

The crowd was beginning to murmur in her favor. But Maya, furious, stepped forward and slapped Ella across the jaw. The sound echoed through the hall. Ella staggered backward before regaining her footing. She lifted her gaze, eyes filled with both frustration and exhaustion.

She hadn’t eaten since the previous day. Hunger clawed at her insides. Her body was weak. She had no more strength to endure the slaps, the insults, the humiliation.

Pretending to comfort her, Maya drew close and wrapped her arms around Ella. To the onlookers, it appeared to be a sisterly hug. But her whispered words were poisoned daggers.

“Ella, my mom and dad told me to warn you. No matter what happens, you must insist that you want to marry Elion Copper. If you dare to do otherwise…” Maya’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “You will not live to tell the story.”

She shoved Ella away with force, making it look as though Ella had pushed her to the ground. Gasps erupted from the guests.

Maya stood, her eyes burning with hatred. “Ella, you are so heartless. My parents took you in when your own abandoned you. They gave you everything, and this is how you repay them? When Elion Copper, your so-called groom, posted on F******k that he needed a wife, you went behind our backs and volunteered yourself. My parents refused, because they wanted better for you, yet you never listened. And now here you are—dressed in rags on your wedding day—shaming the Madisons after they spent thousands of dollars to buy you a wedding dress and all the accessories. Ella, you are shameless!”

Tears poured down Ella’s cheeks, hot and bitter. She stared at Maya in disbelief. So many words burned in her throat, but she swallowed them. Her body trembled with weakness, yet her mind screamed.

After forcing me into this marriage, they now twist the story to make me look like the ungrateful one. I’ve lived with them for over twenty-one years, endured their hatred and abuse, but this—this is beyond what I can bear. Better I marry Elion Copper, a stranger with terrifying looks, than remain chained to the Madisons forever.

Wiping her tears, Ella lifted her chin and looked at Elion Copper with new determination.

Just then, the Lord Mayor, dressed in a sharp black suit, rose to his feet. His voice rang through the hall. “Is there anyone who objects to this marriage?”

The crowd buzzed with whispers, but Mr. Madison finally stood, his tone dripping with false respect.

“If it were left to me, my Lord, I would say no to this marriage. But as you see, ours is a noble family. We cannot force her against her will. If she insists, then proceed.”

Every eye in the hall turned as Ella, with slow but steady steps, walked down the aisle. She stopped beside Elion Copper, who sat silently in his wheelchair, and placed her hand on his. A faint smile touched her lips.

“With all due respect, my Lord,” she said, her voice steady despite her trembling heart. “This is my wedding. And as long as the groom has not changed his mind, I will marry him.”