Chapter one

Danielle's POV

"You look so beautiful, Danielle," my mother said, fixing the train of my wedding dress. "I am sure you are going to be happy." 

"Why would I not be?" I asked, admiring my reflection. Every bride is indeed the most beautiful woman on her wedding day, and I was no exception. Maybe it was because of my dress or perfect makeup. Or perhaps because I was about to marry the love of my life. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine Stephen, trying on his suit. His perfectly sculptured body wrapped in fabric from the most prominent designers. 

This man was like the sun, and from today, I would become his permanent satellite. We were made for each other. The last three years were more like a fairytale than real life. None of us could imagine life without each other. 

"Well…" I heard my sister's voice, which brought me back to reality. I turned around to look at Sophie, lazily stretched across the sofa. 

"Well, what?" I asked, glaring at her coldly. Sophie only offered me one of her annoying smiles. "If you have something to say, say it."

Why was she even here? I could easily carry on with that day without her presence. Of course, she was here, because 'we were family'. This was a joke of the century. Sophie and I could be described as anything except family. Sometimes, I couldn't even believe we were related. 

"Enough girls," my mother furrowed her brows, but her expression softened when she looked at Sophie. She could not be angry at her golden child. She never could, nor could my father, for whom she was like a gift from heaven. She could do no wrong. 

I was two years old when Sophie was born, and I am sure that was the moment when I became an aftermath to my whole family. They did not neglect or abandon me, but I just became an extra in my family movie. Over the years, I learned how to live with that. Right now, it no longer bothers me. I was about to marry a man who saw me and me only. No one could destroy my happiness.

"Why are you not ready yet?" I asked my sister. "The wedding starts in thirty minutes".

"No rush," Sophie replied, stretching like a cat. 

"Whatever," I mumbled, turning around. I could not care less if she was there.

Fifteen minutes later, the knock on the door broke the silence lingering in the room. 

"Ready?" My father entered the room. I could swear I saw panic in his eyes when he looked at my sister, but his expression changed immediately when my mother hurried us. 

"We will be there in a minute," she said, handing me my bouquet. 

I grabbed my father's arm and let him lead me to the church. When we reached the top of the aisle, I could hear that inside everyone was buzzing with excitement. 

The wedding of the century, that's what they called it, and it was true. I was bout to marry the man who was the most desired single in the country, Stephen Dowes, heir of Dowes Inc. 

Four hundred guests arrived to witness the ceremony. Every young woman who was here today envied me, knowing what fortune Stephen will inherit one day. 

But I did not care about money. I would love him even if he were broke. This man meant more than anything to me. 

Soft music filled the air, signalling me to start walking. I squeezed my father's arm, and he offered me a smile filled with some unknown sadness. Maybe after all, he cared about me. I could cry right now. 

Stephen stood at the altar, with his hands behind his back, watching me get closer. His lips were curled in a small smile. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed how handsome he looked. I was the luckiest woman in the world. 

Finally, I have reached the altar, and my father gave Stephen my hand in a symbolic gesture. I glanced at the crowd. My mother and Sophie were nowhere to be seen. I let out a breath. At least my father was here. 

Dowes' family sat in the first row. My future in-laws were sitting straight, tall and proud. My sight moved to the left, and my breath stuck in my throat. I could not believe my own eyes. Was this Stephen's brother, Marcus? 

I have heard of him, but I had never had the chance to meet him before, as he was not close with his family. 

'Broken goods,' people whispered about him on family gatherings I attended with Stephen. 

Ten years ago, he had an accident during a ski trip, which left him paralysed. As the older son, he was supposed to lead the company, but after the accident, he disappeared, leaving the whole burden on Stephen's shoulders. Sometimes I wondered whether this was his decision, or whether the family had decided he was no longer able to fulfil his purpose. 

Our eyes met for a split second before Marcus looked away, clenching his jaw. 

My cheeks blushed, and I looked back at my future husband. Stephen seemed not to notice my expression. 

"Are we ready?" The priest approached us. I gave him a slight nod. 

Stephen looked at him and then at me. Something in his eyes shifted. He glanced at the crowd gathered in the church.

"Before we start," he spoke loudly, surprising me. It was not the time for a speech. I looked at him nervously, but he continued. "I would like to thank you all for coming here today. This is the most important day of my life, and I am glad to have you all here. Especially my precious Danielle."

I smiled politely, not knowing where this was all going. Stephen looked at me lovingly. 

"You made me incredibly happy for the last three years. My life would not be the same without you."

I listened to him, but something felt uneasy inside of me. This wasn't the time for vows; we hadn't started yet. I looked around, and guests were nodding their heads in approval. Obviously, they could not feel that something was off. I glanced back at Stephen. He kept smiling softly at me. 

"You showed me what true love means. And now I want to pay you back." 

Something cold twisted inside me. 

"Danielle, you deserve someone who will love you with his whole heart." Stephen's eyes hardened, making me shiver. What was going on? I tried to pull my hand back, but his grip became firmer. "I can't be that man, since my heart belongs to someone else." 

My knees buckled, and only Stephen's hand stopped me from slipping to the ground. It was like a bad dream, but for some reason, I wasn't waking up.

"What?" I asked in a weak voice.

Stephen smiled again, but this was more like a cold grimace. "I love someone else. I should have told you sooner, but…" he shrugged his arms. 

"Who?"

Music filled the air again, and I looked at the aisle, where stood another bride. Veil was hiding her face; she was wearing the same dress as I was. 

Was this some wicked prank? Who was this woman? What was she doing here? Questions filled my mind.

I stared back at Stephen, but he was looking at the figure at the end of the aisle. His eyes were filled with love, the same love he was showing me not long ago. 

"What the hell is going on?" I asked quietly. 

My question was answered when my mother stood next to the woman. 

Sophie was the other bride.