The Wedding that wasn't mine

Chapter 5 – The Wedding That Wasn’t Mine

“What?” Adrian repeated.

He looked from his father to the papers on the table, then at me. His expression hardened.

“What marriage arrangement?”

Mr. Samson gestured toward the folder. “We have agreed that you will marry Evelyn.”

Adrian let out a short laugh, but there was no humour in it. “You cannot be serious.”

“We are,” his mother replied. “The families have reached an agreement.”

“I’m already with Aria. You know that. I love her, and I have no intention of marrying anyone else.”

“Then we are in agreement,” I said from behind. “I don’t want this marriage either.”

Adrian turned toward me. Surprise crossed his face, as though he had expected me to beg for the chance to marry him.

“I have no interest in becoming your wife,” I continued. “You love my sister. I will not stand between you two.”

“Evelyn, shut up, you don't know what you're saying,” my father ordered.

“No. I have said what I needed to say.”

Mr. Samson’s face darkened. “This agreement has already been signed by both families. We will not have you making a scene.”

“Then perhaps you should have asked the people getting married before signing anything,” I replied.

Adrian stepped closer to his parents. “Tear up the agreement. I will not do this.”

His father stood. “You are the only son. You have responsibilities to this family.”

“Don’t use the business to control me.”

“Refuse, and I will remove your name from the succession. You will no longer be my heir, and someone else will lead this empire.”

Adrian stared at his father. “You would remove your own son over a marriage?”

“I will do what I must.”

His mother spoke more softly. “Think carefully, Adrian. Everything you have worked for is here. Your future is here.”

“You cannot force me to marry her,” Adrian said.

“Your choice is not the only one that matters,” his father replied. “You will inherit this empire only if you put its interests first.”

Adrian looked at his mother. “You agree with him?”

She lowered her eyes. “I want you to have a future as soon as possible. You are not growing any younger, Adrian, you will be fifty years soon.”

I hated myself for staying silent.

He looked back at his father. “You cannot expect me to give up Aria.”

“No one is asking you to stop caring about her,” his mother replied. “We are asking you to fulfil your duty and take in a wife now.”

After a long silence, Adrian looked at his father.

“Fine,” he said at last. “I’ll marry her.”

My stomach dropped.

“But don’t expect me to pretend this is what I want.”

His parents exchanged satisfied looks. He turned and walked away without another word. He did not look at me again.

My father caught my arm as I moved to follow him.

“Don’t ruin this,” he whispered.

I pulled away. “You have already ruined it.”

When we returned home, Mother warned me not to tell Aria anything.

“She doesn’t need to know until the right time,” she said.

“You lied and told them she had agreed.”

“We handled it. Stay out of it.”

I tried to tell Aria, but Mother always found a reason to keep us apart. Father warned me not to cause trouble. The days passed. Adrian never called me. I heard nothing from him, and I knew he had not told Aria either.

My mother noticed I'm always trying to be alone with Aria so she sent Aria on a trip. So she won't get the chance to know what was happening.

Two weeks later, the house was filled with wedding planners, boxes, flowers, and people discussing arrangements. My wedding dress arrived. Invitations had been sent. Everything was moving forward, while Aria remained unaware that the man she loved was about to marry her sister.

Then the day came.

The church was packed. Important faces filled the polished pews. Cameras flashed. Whispers floated beneath the 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 a 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 as though this was the best day of their lives. My parents sat opposite them, already counting the money they would receive from this marriage.

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

The priest cleared his throat and opened his book. He looked up.

“Is there anyone among us who does not want these two to join together in holy matrimony? Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The doors at the back slammed open.

Aria walked in, hair wild and eyes red with fury. Her best friend followed close behind.

“Stop!” she shouted. “Everybody stop this madness right now!”

Gasps filled the church. Adrian’s head snapped toward the aisle.

Aria marched straight toward us and pointed at me.

“You thief! You stole him from me!”

“You knew he loved me,” she said, reaching the altar. “You knew, and you still agreed to this. How can you even call yourself my sister?”

“Aria, you don’t understand—”

Her hand flew up and a slap landed across my cheek. My head turned, and I tasted blood where my teeth cut my lip.

“What the heck?” My younger sister who isn't up to twenty would dare raise her hands and slap me in public?

The church went silent. I raised my hand immediately and slapped her back, harder.

Adrian grabbed my wrist. “Don’t you dare touch her.”

Before I could pull away, his other hand struck my face.

My ear rang. Guests shouted. My mother’s voice rose above the noise.

Adrian’s father stood, his face dark with anger. “Adrian!”

I freed my wrist and stepped back, my cheek burning.

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

“No. You don't get to do that. You don't get to interfere in our family matters.” I said then I returned the slap back to him in the presence of everyone in that hall at the moment.

Gasps filled the whole church.