Chapter 3- THE BRIDE BENEATH THE VEIL

The days before the wedding passed like a blur I couldn’t escape. People moved in and out of the house carrying fabrics, jewelry, flowers, and invitations while I stood in the middle of it all feeling completely detached.

Measurements were taken and dresses were fitted.

Every room was filled with whispers that suddenly stopped whenever I walked in. No one asked if I wanted this marriage or how I felt about marrying a man I had never loved.

My feelings meant nothing because the decision had already been made. When the wedding day arrived, I woke before sunrise, staring into the darkness, still hoping something would stop it.

A knock came at the door. “Get ready,” my mother said. My hands felt cold as I sat up.

Today.

I tried to leave, though I hadn’t planned anything properly. I just knew I couldn’t stay there another second pretending I was ready for that wedding.

My body moved before my mind could catch up. I slipped out of my room quietly and made my way down the stairs, holding my breath at every sound. The hallway was empty, the house unusually silent, almost like it was waiting for me to fail.

I kept walking toward the back door, my pulse hammering painfully against my chest. Just a few more steps and maybe I could disappear before anyone noticed I was gone.

Just a little more,

“Where are you going?” a voice came from behind.

I froze. My father’s voice. I turned slowly. He stood at the end of the hall, watching me. “I…” The words got stuck. “I needed air.”

“In your wedding dress?”

I hadn’t even noticed I was still holding the fabric. Silence stretched. Then he sighed. “Don’t make this difficult.”

“I can’t do this,” I said, my voice shaking. “Please… just let me go.”

“No.”

The word came out with a deep commanding voice. Final. Two men stepped forward from behind him. I hadn’t even seen them. “Take her upstairs,” my father said.

My breath caught. “No—wait—”

They didn’t. I struggled but it was not enough. It didn’t matter anyway. They locked me in my room. Time passed slowly after that. Too slowly. I sat on the bed, still in my half-finished dress, staring at the door. I thought about screaming and shouting for help, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Eventually, my mother returned.

“Get up,” she said. “It’s time.”

I didn’t move. She walked closer. “Don’t embarrass us.”

I laughed weakly. “That’s all you care about.”

“Yes,” she said. “Right now, it is what is important for the family.”

I stood. Not because I wanted to. Because I was done fighting something I couldn’t win. They dressed me in silence. The gown was beautiful. Soft fabric. Delicate details. It didn’t feel like mine. When they placed the veil over my head, everything became distant. Blurred.

Good. I didn’t want to see clearly because they would lead the way for me.

I didn’t look at him at first but when I did, it was quick. He was tall. Well-dressed. Expression unreadable. His eyes soften when he saw me.

He didn’t look at me with suspicion. Not once. If anything, Adrian Laurent looked nervous. That was the part that hurt the most.

Because every soft look in his eyes… every small smile… belonged to Lia. Not me.

The ceremony hall glowed with warm golden lights, expensive flowers lining every corner. Guests whispered quietly among themselves while soft piano music played in the background.

Everything was beautiful. Too beautiful for a lie. At some point I almost fell for everything because of how beautiful it was.

I stood at the entrance with my veil covering most of my face, my father’s arm beneath mine. My hands trembled slightly around the bouquet, but no one noticed.

Or maybe they did and simply didn’t care. “Stand straight,” my father muttered under his breath. “Don’t ruin this.”

I swallowed hard and lifted my head. Then the doors opened. All eyes turned toward me.

My heart pounded painfully as I walked down the aisle, each step feeling heavier than the last. The veil blurred my vision, but I could still see him waiting at the altar.

Adrian.

Tall. Calm. Handsome in a dark suit that fit him perfectly. And for the first time since this nightmare began… I saw emotion on his face. Real emotion. His eyes softened the moment he looked at me. A faint smile touched his lips. Like he was relieved.

Happy. The sight almost made me stop walking. Because I knew exactly who he thought he was looking at.

Lia.

Not me.

I lowered my gaze quickly and continued forward. When I finally reached him, he surprised me by leaning closer.

“You’re shaking,” he whispered softly.

The warmth of his voice caught me off guard. “I’m fine,” I lied quietly. He gave a small smile. “Nervous?”

I didn't answer him, If only he knew.

The priest began speaking, but my thoughts drifted in and out. I could barely focus on the vows. My chest felt too tight. The room too warm. Beside me, Adrian seemed unusually attentive.

At one point, I felt his fingers brush lightly against mine. A small gesture. Careful. Almost shy.

“You okay?” he murmured again during a pause in the ceremony.

I nodded quickly.

He looked like he wanted to say more, but the priest continued. I stared ahead, unable to breathe properly. This man had fallen for a picture.

And somehow that made everything worse. Because there was genuine excitement in his eyes whenever he looked at me. Or rather… looked at the woman he believed I was.

“Do you take Lia Vale to be your lawful wife?” The words echoed loudly in my ears.

Adrian didn’t hesitate. “I do.” His answer came easily, warmly. Like he meant every word.

My throat tightened painfully. The priest turned toward me.

“And do you take Adrian Laurent to be your lawful husband?” For a second, I froze. I could feel my mother staring at me from the front row. Waiting. And giving me a look that was deadly.

I forced my lips apart. “I do.”

The rings were exchanged next. Adrian took my hand carefully, sliding the ring onto my finger with unexpected gentleness. His touch lingered slightly before pulling away.

“You have cold hands,” he whispered with a quiet chuckle.

I almost broke right there. Because he sounded kind. And I knew kindness like this would disappear the moment he found out the truth. When the ceremony ended, applause filled the hall.

People smiled. Cameras flashed. Adrian turned toward me fully then, his eyes softer than before. “You’re my wife now,” he said quietly.

The words sank deep into my chest. Not because they felt romantic. Because they felt tragic, like I've entered where I did not belong. He looked genuinely happy.

And I was the reason that happiness would eventually turn into anger.

The reception passed in a blur. I barely ate. Barely spoke. Adrian stayed close most of the night, though. Not possessive. Just attentive in a way I hadn’t expected. Whenever someone approached us, his hand rested lightly against my back.

“You tired?” he asked at one point.

“A little.” I whispered.

“We’ll leave soon.” The way he said it sounded almost protective.

That only made the guilt worse. Later in the evening, I caught him watching me from across the table while guests talked around us.

“What?” I asked quietly. A faint smile touched his lips.

“Nothing.”

“You keep staring.” I asked. I was scared he will notice the little difference I have with my sister.

“Can you blame me?” he replied softly.

I looked away immediately. I couldn’t handle hearing things like that. Not when they weren’t meant for me.

That night, I sat alone in the large bedroom they had prepared for us.

The wedding dress was gone now, replaced with a thin white robe one of the staff members had given me after helping me change. The fabric barely reached my thighs, soft against my skin, leaving me painfully aware of how exposed I felt beneath it.

I sat carefully on the edge of the bed, my hands clenched tightly in my lap.

My nails pressed hard into my palms.

The room felt too quiet.

Too intimate.

I stared at the closed door, my stomach twisting tighter with every second that passed.

What would happen when he finally saw me properly with no make up or anything?

Would he notice immediately? Would he hate me? The thought made my chest ache.Then I heard footsteps outside.

Slow. Uneven.

My breath caught instantly.

The door opened a second later.

Adrian walked in with his tie loosened slightly, his jacket hanging over one shoulder. His cheeks were faintly flushed from alcohol, but the moment his eyes landed on me.