The Unwanted Bride.

Chapter 1 – The Unwanted Bride

The church was packed. Every important face in the city sat in those polished pews. Cameras flashed. Whispers floated under the soft music. I stood at the altar in a white wedding dress that felt too heavy, staring at the man who would become my husband in the next few minutes.

He did not look at me.

Adrian stood tall in his black suit, jaw tight, eyes fixed somewhere past my shoulder. His family sat in the front row, smiling like this was the best day of their lives. My parents sat opposite them, already counting the money they would get from this marriage.

I kept my hands still. I had practiced this. Smile. Stand straight. Do not cry.

The priest cleared his throat and opened his book. Vows were changed.

The priest looked up and asked. “Is there anyone amongst us who doesn't want these two to join together in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

That was when the doors at the back slammed open.

Aria walked in like she owned the place. Nineteen years old, hair wild, eyes red and furious. Her best friend trailed behind her, looking bold.

“Stop!” Aria’s voice cut through the music.

“Everybody stop this madness right now!”

People turned. Gasps filled the church. The priest froze. Adrian’s head snapped toward the aisle.

Aria marched straight up the center, heels clicking hard on the marble. She pointed at me.

“You thief. You stole him from me.”

I did not move. I could not believe she had done this in front of everyone.

She reached the altar and stood right in front of me. Her chest rose and fell fast.

“You knew he loved me. You knew, and you still agreed to this. You’re disgusting. How can you even call yourself my sister.”

“Aria, you don't get—” Before I could answer, her hand flew up.

The slap landed hard across my cheek. The sound echoed through the quiet church. My head turned with the force of it. Heat spread across my face. I tasted blood where my teeth cut the inside of my lip.

The entire hall went silent for one second.

Then chaos broke out.

I looked at my younger sister. The girl my parents had always protected. The girl they had chosen to save slapped me in front of everyone on my wedding day. And for the first time in years, I did not feel the need to stay quiet.

I raised my hand and slapped her back. Harder.

Her head snapped to the side. She stumbled.

Adrian moved instantly. He grabbed my wrist, eyes cold with rage. “Don’t you dare touch her.”

His other hand came up and struck my face.

The second slap was worse than the first. My ear rang. The guests started shouting. My mother’s voice rose above the noise, screaming my name.

Adrian’s father stood up, face dark with anger.

“Adrian!!”

I pulled my wrist free and stepped back. My cheek burned. My heart pounded so hard I felt it in my throat.

I stared at the man who was supposed to marry me in the next minute, then at my sister.

This was the moment everything fell apart.

I did not know it yet, but this was also the moment that would force me to leave everything behind.

****

Three weeks earlier, I had woken up to the sound of my mother arguing with my father in the study.

Their company was drowning. The bank calls came every morning. Creditors waited outside the gates. We still lived in the big house, but the money was almost gone.

I walked downstairs and stopped outside the closed door.

Mom’s voice was sharp.

“We cannot give Aria to him. He is almost fifty. She is nineteen. That is not right.”

Dad sounded tired. “Adrian’s family asked for a marriage. They want a daughter from our side. Aria already has a relationship with him. It makes sense.”

“No.” Mom’s voice dropped. “Aria is too young. Look at her. She is still a child. But Evelyn is thirty-two. She is mature. She can handle a man like that.”

I frowned. Why were they discussing who should marry this Adrian of a person?

Dad sighed. “You make it sound so simple. Evelyn may not agree.”

“Then we'll make her agree. What other choice does she have?”

“She has a right to decide who she marries.”

Mom let out a bitter laugh. “And what about our company? Does she have a right to watch everything her father has built collapse? Does she want us to lose this house? Does she want her parents to become beggars?”

There was a brief silence.

Dad spoke again. “Adrian is not an easy man. He has a reputation. He is used to getting what he wants, and I don’t think Evelyn will be happy with him.”

“Believe me they will learn to love themselves in the process. And Evelyn is more mature, that's why I’m suggesting she go for it.”

“But Aria loves him. Won't this spike a bad omen?”

“Love?” Mom scoffed. “What does a nineteen-year-old girl know about marriage? She thinks that because a rich man buys her gifts and takes her to expensive places, she is in love.”

“His family seems to like Aria.”

“They like her because she is beautiful and young. But what happens when she has to live with a man old enough to be her father? I will not allow that.”

I stood outside, gripping the edge of the wall.

Dad lowered his voice. “Adrian’s father has already made it clear that they expect this marriage to happen soon. They are willing to help us settle our debts, but they want a proper agreement.”

“Then we give them Evelyn.”

“What exactly have you discussed with his mother?”

“They agreed to meet us tomorrow to discuss the marriage properly.”

“And Evelyn? Have you discussed it with her yet?”

“There's nothing to discuss, she's getting married to a billionaire son. Who wouldn't want that?”

Dad was quiet for a moment. “What if she refuses?”

“Then remind her that she is not the only person affected by this. Her refusal could destroy all of us.”

My stomach twisted.

They were discussing my life as though I were another company asset they could exchange for money.

Dad spoke again. “I still think we should talk to her first.”

“Fine. But don’t make the mistake of asking her as though she has a choice. We need this marriage, and we need it now.”

I couldn’t listen anymore. I pushed the door open. Both of them turned toward me.

“What is going on?” I asked.

Mom looked at Dad, then at me. “How much did you hear?”

I stared at her, my hands trembling. “Enough to know that you’re planning to marry me off to a man who is already dating my younger sister.”

Neither of them answered.

And that silence told me everything.

“Are you kidding me right now?”