Mirabella: Gilded Cage

Everyone was playing with me.

They always did, not once has there ever been a time anyone took me seriously or cared for what I had to say. It was always I'm sure Mira wouldn't mind.

All this was fishy, how was everyone fine with me marrying my sister's fiance.

I wanted to flee from this sham and disappear into the depth of an old artwork. And disappear forever.

But first I needed to squirm away from these guests and have a conversation with the husband because all this was too much.

I was by the snack bar chugging down champagne and hoping Harper doesn't get to me. I had been surveying the environment for him but each time I scanned for him, he wasn't within the church building.

There was only a few minutes before the Maybach came around to drive me and my husband, how gross, my sister's husband to the reception party.

Mum asked me to stay away from the guests as much as possible and what better place to hide away but at the snack bar was set up for the couple and their train.

It was my idea because I knew Selena would be hungry after the ceremony and would need some snacks before the next activity. Who would've thought I would be the bride instead of the train.

Mom and dad haven't as much as looked for me. They were beaming, receiving congratulatory messages.

“What is going on Mira?”

I jumped at the sound of Harper's voice, forcing one last gulp of champagne down.

I chuckled nervously. It was either I came clean or act completely oblivious.

“Oh God, you scared me Harper.” I said with a hand on my chest.

His ivory suit made his eyes pop in an attractive way.

“You look amazing. Who knew you'd look this handsome in a suit.”

That didn't deter him. He came closer.

Knowing Harper I knew he wouldn't take this lightly.

“Don't act dumb with me. Where is Selena?”

I feigned a frown. “How am I supposed to know?” I attempted to take another glass but he took it from me and put it down.

Harper took a deep breath.

“Look I don't know what's going on and why you just got married to my brother instead of your sister but I sense foul play. Is he forcing you?”

“Forcing me?” I spluttered creating more space between us.

“Then by all means help me understand this charade playing out.”

I finally looked in his eyes. The pain of what I was about to say choked me in the throat. “You're the only one who thinks this is a charade.”

He visibly stumbled back a fraction before running his hands through his swept back brown hair.

“Whatever. Look Mira, I know you and I know this isn't what you want. You didn't even kiss him.” He blurted out.

I immediately covered the distance between us and placed my hand over his mouth frantically looking around.

“Can you shut up.”

He looked at me for a moment before taking my hand away.

“Look there's a car waiting out back, come with me , I'll take you away from this madness.”

I started to shake my head to refuse but he took my hands in his.

“I'm not going to ask you to explain. Just please come with me and put an end to this madness.”

“What madness?”

I jerked my hands away from Harper's at the sound of his elder brother's voice as if I was doing anything wrong.

In all honesty, Harper was right, it was madness.

He and I were involved in the planning of this wedding while nurturing a possible attraction but not one greater than what I felt for Theo but all this was unfair to Harper.

He stepped away from me as Theo drew closer to us.

“You do realize Mirabella is my wife, don't you little brother.”

My eyes bounced between the two brothers, the heat in the area rose up and my chest constricted, I needed another drink.

Harper's eyes didn't leave mine. He watched as Theo came to stand beside me and took my hand in his.

“Mirabella is my wife and I advise that you respect that.”

What was Theo even saying?

Was he drunk or blind or delusional? What was it with him and this wedding and the godforsaken wife title?

Each time he called me his wife there was a nauseating feeling mixed with a tingle in my belly.

Before I could put my thoughts together Harper lunged forward and pushed Theo off me. The push was so sudden that the content of Theo’s glass spilled on the cashmere rug. And his suit.

It was a poor thought to keep a cashmere rug that expensive at a snack bar. What was wrong with the rich?

I pushed Harper, doing my best to hold him back. “Please do not cause a scene here Harper. Let's talk about this later.” I stifled out.

His eyes focused on Theo who was flicking off wine from his suit jacket completely unbothered, a smirk pulled at his lips. He always knew how to get to Harper, made me wonder if they were really brothers or rivals of some sorts.

“Listen to me Harper. Harper!” I spoke a little louder and finally got his attention.

“I'm not being forced and I promise to explain things to you as soon as the dust settles. Can you stay calm until then?”

He attempted to look away but I held his face. “Please.”

Harper stepped away after glaring between me and his brother who is now my husband.

“This is madness.” He said before walking away.

I felt warmth on my side, then a hand slowly wrapped around my waist.

I flinched away from Theo’s touch, casting him a glare.

“We need to talk.”

“The car is waiting to take us to our reception. We can talk in the car.” He gestured a hand to the exit like a gentleman would.

He had always been one. But maybe I was wrong.

What husband would be fine with seeing another woman under his bride's wedding veil?

The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that Harper was right.

This was madness.

Some detailed men in black suits and earpieces stuck in their ears escorted us to the car. Theo opened my door for me before getting into the car seat beside me.

I was holding my breath.

Perhaps all hell would break loose now. Maybe he was staying quiet for my sake and my family's reputation. He had always put family first.

I sat stiffly in the car, my gaze on his face. He had an expression I couldn't read every time his eyes fell on the stain on his suit.

The silence hung so heavy.

We could have the discussion now and he could toss me out of the car on the way there or perhaps Selena would show up for the swap. I didn't know what to say.

“Sorry about the stain.” I said, pointing a glance at his jacket.

“It's alright Mira. We both have another look for the evening so it's fine.”

“We?”

He turned to look at me, his expression still unreadable.

“We did get married, didn't we?”

Madness.

“That's precisely the point Theo, are you mad?” I yelled, glancing at the privacy partition, I wasn't sure we had our privacy.

Theo covered the space between us, one hand held my hand and the other was placed beside my head.

“Yes I'm mad Mirabella and God help me, don't push to see the extent of this madness.” His voice was low, his mid alcoholic breath brushed my face, his scent imposed my space. Theo took up space.

His breath was mildly laced with mint and alcohol. Had he been drinking?

I spoke low too. “By all means show me the extent of this madness.” My eyes met his with equal stubbornness.

His eyes fell to my lips and he swiftly pulled away.

Theo knocked on the partition. “Can't you move any faster?” He told the driver who then increased acceleration.

Was he ending the discussion?

“Mr. Hartley?”

He took a deep, controlled breath in.

“Mrs. Hartley you will act as the doting bride so in love with her husband and I'll do the same…”

“I will not do that. You are my sister's husband.”

“And Yet you married me. We got married. We are husband and wife Mira.”

He said it like it was a bad thing. I mean it was but it's not intentional and most importantly I was not the villain.

I chuckled, dry at first then it blossomed into a full bout of laughter. Theo was staring at me, his jaw hung loose but he still looked impeccable, not a strand out of place.

“Do you think I'm a joke Theo. That I'll just accept this.” My hand moved between us, the rock resting on my fingers laid heavy on it, a stark reminder of the mess I had gotten myself into.

“You'll do as I say, otherwise I'll ruin your family, I'll take everything away.” He said, his voice lower than before, his eyes appeared colder and darker, like a void. “I'll pull the rug from under your father's feet.”

I blinked, relapsing into the car seat. Cold sweats broke over me. I'd known he was a ruthless businessman but he never took my family lightly nor have I ever heard

him talk in the manner he just did.

A knock rattled on the tinted window, startling me.

“We're here sir.” A man called.

Theo gave a warning glare.

“Behave Mrs. Hartley.”