The CEO’s Replacement Bride

Aria’s POV I've been standing at this door for 10 minutes now knocking, What’s taking her so long? She’s meant to be ready by now. “Alexa?” I called out. “Are you ready?” She didn’t answer, that was strange. Today was her wedding to none other than Nathan Cross, the CEO of Cross Global Enterprise. My whole family has been planning this for months, down to the last detail. Reporters were invited along with celebrities and other rich businessmen. My father basically invited the whole of Manhattan to watch his favorite daughter get married to a hot shot business man. She should have been rushing, panicking, or asking for help. I saw her this morning but that was all, she insisted on getting ready alone and now that I think about it, it’s kinda weird especially from someone like Alexa who loves being the center of attention. I knocked again but she still did not answer. “Alexa, we are already late.” Still nothing, why is she not responding?

Aria’s POV “You are late Aria, what took you so long to get ready?” My father says putting his phone into his pocket. We were at the entrance of the wedding hall. “Late? I’m the one being forced to marry a man I barely know and all you can think about is the fact I’m late?” I scoff. “Listen to me Aria, you are going to take my hand and walk through this door with a smile on your face. Right now you are the only thing keeping this family from a big public scandal” He says while fixing his tie and I could only grit my teeth in anger. “So that’s all I am to you? Save face from the media?” “You’re crazy, all of you have lost it” I added, taking his arm. “You’re my daughter and you have to fulfill your duty to this family” he replied. “Shall we?” The large doors flew open as music filled my ears. I felt the crowd's eyes on me, probably whispering about me replacing my sister at her own wedding and how I am not the original bride. My eyes were glued to the floor as I walked,

Aria’s POV The sound of an alarm clock jolted me awake, I was so tired. Sleeping with a barrier of pillows was not exactly comfortable. Nathan was gone already but the faint scent of his perfume told me he had just left. The time was eight thirty and I had to get ready for a dress fitting by nine. "Nine o'clock he said," I muttered, dragging myself out of bed. "Well, he can wait." I took my sweet time getting ready. I used his body wash and soaps too just to piss him off. After my shower, I spent a good twenty minutes picking out the plainest silk skirt I own with a simple blouse. If he wants a fashionista for a wife he is going to be so disappointed when he picks me up and I look as plain as ever. I didn't apply any makeup except lip balm. I made him wait an extra ten minutes so I could find the right shoes to wear. I slid into the front seat adjusting my seat belt. "You are late, the stylists have been waiting for us," he said, adjusting his seat belt. "Then let t

Aria’s POV Woah, I look so good. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The dress hugged every curve perfectly. I looked stunning. It was a stunning black dinner gown that complemented my figure perfectly. I looked beautiful. I slipped on my heels, fixing my hair one last time before grabbing my clutch. For a second, I just stood there staring at myself. “You look hot,” I said out loud, then I sighed. Unfortunately, it’s for the wrong reasons. For the next two to three hours, I’m going to be flashing fake smiles and doing that hand in hand with my least favorite person in the world. Hey, at least Liam is going to be there I stepped out of the room and immediately froze. Nathan was already there. And holy fuck, he looked really good, wait no, Aria, stop, he can’t look good. For Christ's sake, that’s your annoying, stupid husband. But damn, he looked good. I’d never say that to his face tho. Rather, chew a jean jacket than tell him he looked good. “You’re staring,

Aria’s POV We walked back into the main hall, his hand still holding mine, and I could already feel everyone staring again. We stopped near the center of the hall, people immediately coming up to him again, shaking his hand, congratulating him, talking business as usual. I stood by his side just nodding and smiling when someone looked my way. Ugh, this was so exhausting. I was so tired of pretending. An older couple walked up to us and exchanged pleasantries with Nathan and me. “Your wife is extremely beautiful,” the man said, and his wife was staring daggers at me. How was that my fault? Nathan’s grip tightened on me. “Excuse us,” he said shortly, guiding me away before the conversation could drag on. That was weird. Once we were out of the main hall, I pulled my hand away. “Relax,” I said. “I can handle a little flirting.” “That wasn’t about him flirting with you.” “Oh?” I raised a brow. “Then what was it about?” He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his