Married to my brother's best friend

(Nikolai's POV)

The wedding hall was ready, everything screamed wealth.

The crystal chandeliers bathed the room in warm silver light, reflecting off the polished marble floor. White and blue roses lined the aisle, their delicate scent floating through the air as hundreds of guests settled into their seats.

I kept looking at the entrance for my sister, her groom was already at the altar waiting for her.

“What's keeping your sister?” My mum asked, everyone was already murmuring, she had been called to the altar several times.

“I'll go get her.” 

I stood up and quietly walked out of the hall to her dressing room. The room was empty, her dress hung pretty on the shelf, her jewelries sitting on the table with an apology letter.

“I can't do this!!” Rose wrote.

“What?!! This can't be happening,”

I took out my phone and dialed her line, it led to voicemail.

“Where on earth are you, Rosey? You know we need this marriage…. everybody is waiting for you, please, come back.” I ended it.

My hands were on my waist, I moved toward her wedding dress and a thought formed inside.

“No.” 

I took a step back and tried to reject those thoughts. My parents came to mind, the debts, the deal and everything my family stands to lose and my gaze returned to the dress. My terrible idea became the one idea I had left.

 “I can't believe I'm about to do this.” I took a deep breath and reached for the dress. 

I dolled myself like my sister, the dress felt strange against my body. The veil covered most of my face making me uncomfortable. Rose's perfume clung to my skin.

I stared at my reflection and for a moment, even I could almost believe I was my sister. I walked out of the dressing room and marched to the hall entrance, the security gave the moderator a sign that I was already.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let's officially welcome the bride, Rose Reeves.”

The door slowly opened, I could feel cold sweats running down my back, my heartbeat intensified, my right leg moved nervously and my left leg followed.

“This is insane, Nikolai.” I whispered to only my hearing and tried to walk like Rose would, smiling through the veil, I held the bridal bouquet tightly, almost squeezing them.

Tristan Sinclair stood beneath the floral arch in a perfectly tailored brown suit, one hand resting casually at his side. He looked completely composed despite the forty-minute delay and that somehow made me more nervous.

“You are late.” Tristan whispered to my ear and my breath seized.

The moderator handed the mic over to the priest and the ceremony began. I could barely hear a word again, my heartbeat was louder than the priest.

I heard him call the bible, I didn't hear anything again until it was time to take our vows.

“Will you, Tristan Sinclair, take Rose Reeves as your lawfully wedded wife, stay by her in health, in sickness, for better or worse until death do you part?”

“I do,” Tristan's answer was clear, his voice calm.

The priest turned to me, "will you, Rose Reeves take Tristan Sinclair as your lawfully wedded husband, stay by him in health, in sickness, for better or worse until death do you part?”

My throat went dry, for three seconds I said nothing.

I shut my eyes, “I do.”

I managed to make my voice sound girlish. We gave each other rings, my fingers were shaking, Tristan's eyes stayed on me, he noticed my shaky fingers.

We sat down on our couple's seats and signed the marriage certificate. I signed Rose's name and walked hand in hand until we left the hall.

Every other person stood up, talking and followed behind us to the reception hall. We sat down before everyone followed suit, as soon as the moderator took the mic, Tristan took my hand and gently dragged me to the dressing room.

“Take off the veil,”

“Wait….. what?!!”

“Take it off, now,”

“Why?” I freezed and Tristan stepped closer.

“Because I want to see my husband.”

My blood ran cold, I stepped back but he already grabbed the veil and dragged it off my face.

Tristan looked directly into my eyes, “I knew you weren't Rose the moment you walked through that door,”

“Now, where's Rose?”

“I. Don't. Know,” my voice was shaky waiting for what he'll do next then a knock came in.

“You'll keep up the charade.” He handed me the veil and I fixed it back, he held me and went to the door and went straight to the reception hall and sat down.

Everyone was already served, they were waiting for us to resume the party. I sat quietly biting my lower lip and fumbling my fingers, Tristan always stealing a glance at me.

“He knows I'm not Rose but isn't doing anything? Is it because of his inheritance?” I was deep in thought.

“Well, he is finally married to Rose, I'll find her.”

My phone vibrated and brought me back to the present. My message came up and I opened it stealthily, the message was much.

I opened Nicholas' own, “you're missing at your sister's wedding, a wedding to our financial freedom…. damn you man!!”

“Fuck.” I muttered and I felt Tristan's eyes turn to me.

“It's nothing,” I picked my nails from the gloves and Tristan held my trembling hands.

“Was he helping me or helping himself?” I hissed.

The crowd jeered and merrily while I shaked under my butt. The wedding dress lace stung my skin, I pitched every discomfort away and kept adjusting the dress to feel free, it tightened my stomach enough that I badly wanted to leave the dress.

“It's time for our latest couple to leave the hall, go to their car and drive home,” the moderator said loudly. The guests clapped and laughed at his statement.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Sinclair. You're coming home with me.” Tristan spat out and lifted me up.