004 *Bailey*

Sierra bounds forward in a luxurious wedding dress, her hair styled differently from the last time I saw her. I frown as she reaches us, pushing me away from Romeo aggressively.

What the hell?

She delivers a hot slap to my face before I can speak, my sight blurring and I stumble back in shock. My dress tangles around my legs, leaving me unstable. My eyes widen in panic as I go crashing, but two strong arms wrap around my waist before I reach the ground.

I exhale in relief to see Romeo holding me, but his brows are drawn tight, and his lips are flat as he steadies me. Carefully releasing me, he takes a few steps away from me and crosses his arms.

“Who the hell are you?" He asks, his voice deadly calm. I frown, looking between him and Sierra, the eager crowd, my father; he stops beside Sierra, his eyes hard.

My aunt steps beside him, sneering at me. An older woman comes beside Romeo, her presence exuding class and commanding respect.

Assembled together, they look like a biased jury, already sold on a judgment even before I present my case.

Something clicks in my brain and I blink.

Oh no.

Is it? No. This can't be real. It couldn't have been.

“I'm still waiting for your response." Romeo snaps, making me jerk back. His gaze flickers between me and Sierra, calculation sharpening in his eyes.

My mouth opens, but no words come out as my heart races and a sickening feeling builds in my gut.

"I…" I trail off as certain things begin to shift into focus and everything starts to make sense.

Oh no. Oh no no no.

Surely…fuck.

What have I done?

“Her name is Bailey. She's my wretched stepsister!" Sierra sneers.

The crowd erupts in gasps, phones come out, and cameras flash as people start taking pictures and videos. I duck my head, tears building in my eyes.

And I thought this day couldn't get any worse.

"Out! Get the fuck out of here, all of you!” Romeo barks, chasing his guests out like dogs. They scamper away. Once the number is down to family only, he turns back to me, his stern face telling me I'm his next target.

I cross my arms around my waist to keep myself standing.

“I'm going to ask you just once, and your response will determine whether you'll be leaving this room on your own or in cuffs. Do you understand me?” He asks.

I nod gently, swallowing.

"Good. Why?”

“I…I didn't know, I swear. I thought it wasn't real. I'd had a shitty day, and I..I… I'd been drinking, I thought maybe my mind was playing tricks on me, I didn't know that this…you were real.” I ramble in tears, willing him to believe me.

“You expect me to believe that?" He scoffs.

“I'm not lying."

He pauses, his keen eyes roaming my face and body as though he is searching for something. He shakes his head, scoffing before he turns around, holding out a handkerchief without looking at me.

I accept it, dabbing at my cheeks.

"Oh hell no! Like hell I'm going to believe that.” Sierra exclaims. “You knew what you were doing!"

I wince at her loud voice, massaging my forehead.

"I'm not lying, Sierra. I swear I didn't know.” I try to reason with her.

“Lies! You knew exactly what you were doing! You wanted to get back at me for ending your sham of a marriage.” Sierra fumes, getting in my face.

My face reddens as she reminds me of what she had done, and my fist tightens. Drawing in a calming breath, I speak gently.

“I don't know how else to convince you, but I honestly didn't know."

"Right, so you just happened to be in the same hall I am supposed to be married after I stopped Ford from marrying you? Do I look stupid to you?” She yanks at my hair, hot pain immediately sears through my scalp.

“Let go.” I grit out, not wanting to retaliate but she kicks me in the belly, and the pain frees my anger. Just as I raise my hand to attack, Romeo's strong arm comes around my waist, lifting me, and freeing my hair.

He pulls me a few steps back, ignoring my protest.

I watch as Sierra's parents gather around her dotingly. Probably feeling my stare, my father spares me a quick glance of disdain, making my heart tighten. I kick harder against Romeo, wanting him to let me go.

“Enough." He growls low into my ear, and I stiffen, painfully becoming aware of how intimately my back is plastered to his hard body.

I could feel everything. His strong arms. His hard chest. The strength of his thighs behind me and is that…..his semi-hard dick radiating heat against my ass?

My anger fades, getting replaced with something I have no business feeling in a room full of people and certainly in the present situation!

“Look at me." He commands, releasing me. My body moves before my brain even registers the action. When our eyes meet, I immediately look away, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze.

“I don't care much for this drama, but I'll take your word for it, if it means you'll both stop going off at each other like cats and I can finally put an end to this…day.” He huffs, grimacing.

I nod reluctantly.

"Good. Uh.. you can go. But I'll need your number. I'll have my assistant file for annulment and send you the papers before the week ends.”

"Annulment?!” I blurt like a fool.

"This marriage was a mistake; surely you know we have to dissolve it.” He says slowly.

Of course, I know this marriage wasn't supposed to happen. But it did, and now he's talking about erasing it, like it never happened?

“I…”

His brows raise, and his eyes squint with doubt.

“Did you do this on purpose?"

“What? No!"

“Then you should have no problem with an annulment." He snaps.

I swallow.

Looking around the room, my eyes land on Sierra, the sister who took everything from me and made my life a living hell while at it.

Then my father, the man who made sure I knew I was a burden to him, the bastard child of a ‘deranged’ woman he was forced to raise along with his precious legitimate daughter. And next to him is my aunt, the woman who made sure he never came looking for me after I finally left.

These people have all hurt me. They have all taken from me, and now, I have something they want. And from the looks on their face, they will do anything to have it back.

For a spare moment, I consider keeping it. But I know that's impossible. I could never win a fight against them.

“Well, what is it going to be, young lady?" The woman beside Romeo finally speaks, her eyes keen on me.

My shoulders sag in defeat.

“Okay," I murmur. Silence descends upon the room.

“That's what I thought." Sierra chuckles behind me, raising the tension. I ignore her, but not one to take an easy win, she speaks again.

"I'll give it to you, Bailey, you're smarter than I thought. Sneaking into my wedding and impersonating me is the last thing I would have expected of you. I didn't think you had that much gut, especially for a bastard.”

“A bastard” The word ricochets, sending a sharp pain into my heart, just like every other time I've been called that growing up.

“Bastard"

“Loser"

“Daughter of a tramp"

Tears sting my eyes as I turn around.

“Is that what you think?" I murmur.

“Yes. But in the end, you lost, just like your mother did." She whispers.

“Watch it," I warn.

"No, you watch it! How dare you do something like this to me? How could you be so despicable and shameless, huh?” She snaps.

How delusional can one person be?

“Me, despicable? Have you lost your mind? You're the one who made a bet with your best friend to get me to fall in love with him and marry him!" I explode.

I hear gasps, and when I glance around, I see a few guests have managed to sneak back in, recording us.

Just great.

“And so? I didn't make you forget your place and fall in love with him. Please, what were you thinking anyway? That someone like Ford will actually want to be with you? You have no class or money. You are a nobody!” She declares, edging towards me probably to attack again but our father rushes to hold her back.

Our eyes meet for a split second, and I wait for it, I don't know what, maybe concern, regret, pity, even? But I get nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

He looks away, focusing back on Sierra, and I feel something die inside me as he chooses her over me all over again.

Inhaling and exhaling slowly, I chose my next words carefully.

“Well, that's where you're wrong. I'm not a nobody, not anymore." I declare, my back straightening as a new resolve forms within me.

“What are you talking about?" Sierra mutters.

I shrug, relishing the slight tremble in her voice.

“What am I talking about? Let me think… well, if only you had arrived on time, little sis.” I tut, raising my hand up to admire my ring. Her eyes widen, her fingers gripping our father's tightly as she glances to him for help.

Even he can't help her now.

“Bailey, it's time for you to leave." He says anyway.

“Yes, please go. You've upset us enough for one day, and we won't mind involving the authorities." His wife adds.

Sierra looks at me eagerly, waiting for me to throw in the towel like I've always done in the past.

I pause, pretending to consider their words. After a much satisfied silence, I smile as I say,

“Nah. I think I'll stay. After all, I am now Mrs Lancaster, which means this is my wedding hall, and you guys are the ones trespassing."

Winking at Sierra, I walk over to Romeo, holding her gaze as I stop by his side and link our arms.

He tenses, glancing at me but I refuse to look at him, praying he doesn't say anything.

“Sorry to disappoint, little sis.” I smile. “I’m not going anywhere.”