No escape

Chapter 7 — No Escape

Amelia didn't fight anymore as the guards escorted her down another corridor, away from the grand staircase and away from the room she had been given earlier.

It was obvious they had been asked to keep her Away from every window and Away from every exit.The realization settled heavily in her stomach.

This wasn't just punishment like she had assumed it to be but It was rather a prevention and Alexander wasn't taking chances not with the wedding less than twenty-four hours away.

The grip around her arm finally loosened when they stopped in front of a large wooden door and One of the guards opened it.

"Inside."

Amelia stepped in and The door shut behind her and Then the sound that made her chest tighten.

It clicked and Locked instantly!

For several seconds, she simply stood there gazing at the locked door.The events of the past few hours flashed before her eyes and this days before.The dam she thought would never burst open finally opened its gate and all the tears burst out.

She slumped down to the cold floor and weeped her eyes out while mourning the loss of her joyful days.

She cried for what seemed like hours until it felt like she was going to come down with a trerible case of migraine. She glanced around the room and discovered in a trance that it was A luxury guest suite.

With A king-sized bed accentuated with Floor-to-ceiling windows and Fresh flowers. Everything screamed expensive, elegant and useless.

Because a beautiful cage was still a cage after all.

Amelia walked to the door and Pulled the handle but there was Nothing which signified it was Locked.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as her reality finally dawned on her She was a prisoner And everyone in this house knew it.

...

Hours later, she sat awake on the edge of the bed as Sleep refused to come. Every time she tried to close her eyes, she saw Alexander standing in front of those doors.

Looming over her quietly like a ghost with a kink. It was As if her life belonged to him already.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts and The door opened. Two women entered immediately and Behind them rolled racks of white fabric,Garment,bags,Shoes,Jewelry and everything that signifies Wedding preparations.

Amelia's stomach dropped.

At that moment One of the women smiled professionally.

"Good morning, Miss Hart."

It was ‘The Morning’ finally and The wedding day had arrived. There was no escape anymore.

The hours passed like a nightmare. The Hairdo. The Makeup. The Dress fittings. Several Instructions trooping in and More instructions being dished out.

Nobody asked if she was happy or if she even wanted this.

The staff treated her politely But underneath the politeness, she heard the whispers.

"Is she the replacement bride."

"I heard the younger sister ran away."

"What a scandalous thing to do..."

"Poor Mr. Sterling."

Amelia kept her eyes lowered as Every word felt like another stone being placed on her chest.

Near noon, the bridal suite door opened again but This time, Alexander walked in and The room instantly fell silent.

The stylists stepped back and The assistants lowered their heads.

Alexander's gaze landed on Amelia and For a brief second, neither spoke. It felt like a tug of silence between them.

The wedding gown flowed around her in its White,Elegant and Beautiful glory And somehow,that seemed to make his expression even colder.

"You'll be downstairs in twenty minutes."

That was all he uttered to her. There was no subtle form of compliment or acknowledgment. It was just Nothing.

Amelia laughed softly as her eyes casted down towards her hands clenching the bouquet tightly.

"You really know how to make a bride feel special."

Alexander's eyes narrowed.

"I didn't ask for a bride."

The room went silent as The words hit exactly where he intended and Amelia felt the sting But she refused to let him see it and Instead, she smiled Bitter.

"Neither did I."

For the first time, something flashed across his face but it disappeared faster than it came Immediately.

After he left, Amelia's phone vibrated.

It showed the unknown number as it was the day before but Amelia knew the digits like the back of her palm. Once upon a time the number had been stored as “Sweet sis” but now she felt nothing but pure hatred at this point towards the owner.

Her heart sank but She already knew the content and she wished she could just ignore it as it would save her the mental stress she was sure she would experience if she were to open the image.

But against her better judgement she opened it and as the photo loaded it was Sophia smiling at the camera.

And then Another message followed.

‘Thank you for taking my place’.

Followed by Another immediately.

‘The wedding should be starting soon.Don't look so miserable in the photos and don’t forget to send me some sis, i would be waiting…..love you’.

Amelia's fingers tightened around the phone before one final message appeared and it was A picture.

This time, Sophia wasn't alone as She stood beside a man.His face partially hidden.But the caption beneath the photo made Amelia freeze.

‘You should ask Alexander why he hates me so much’.

Amelia's breath caught and Before she could think

The bridal suite door suddenly opened again.

Alexander stepped inside.

His eyes immediately landed on her face and Then on the phone in her trembling hand.

His expression darkened Dangerously And for the first time all day He looked genuinely angry.

"Who are you talking to?"