Chapter 11

Dawn hadn’t fully broken yet, but I was already awake. I couldn’t sleep a wink through out the night. My eye-bags would require editing in the photos.

Today was the day. The very day I get married to a near stranger, binding my life to someone I’d known for less than twenty four hours.

A slightly all consuming dread washes over me as I stare at my dress on the rail.

I haven’t slept eight consecutive hours since the very day back at the Stewart house where father had announced that I would be taking my sister’s place.

This morning, before the whole wedding ceremony started, I realized that I had to tell him. He had to know who he was getting married to. I wasn’t Emily Stewart, I was Brianna Stewart.

A part of me also hoped that Emily would return, realize that she had to do this and take her rightful place but with every click of the clock, the possibility dips, painfully.

And so, I just knew I had to tell him.

If we went on to start the wedding and when the vows were spoken, my name was mentioned without him knowing. I couldn’t even imagine what disaster that would be. I had to do it now.

That’s why I’m up at the crack of dawn with a new found resolve. Maybe this was my way out, maybe I could finally escape the wedding.

If he found that I wasn’t who he wanted, I could have my chance to escape. It wouldn’t be my fault, it would be that he was deceived my father.

My hands were already shaking as I left the room. I trudged down the hallways in search of his, or wherever he found to sleep last night seeing that I took his room or as he said, our room.

I found on where light slipped through the bottom of the door and decided it had to be it.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure the entire estate could hear it as I stilled in front of his door.

This was it.

I lifted my hand and knocked.

“Come in.”

He was awake.

His voice came from the other side—calm, steady, completely unaware.

It made my chest tighten. I pushed the door open.

And there he was.

Adrian stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his suit like this was just another normal morning. Like today wasn’t… this. The sight of him—sharp, composed, already prepared—sent something strange through me.

Warmth.

Even I wasn’t sure of the wedding and wouldn’t be getting dressed unless I was certain Emily was not coming back for her place.

He on the other hand looked like he would get married right this second, like he looked forward to this day all his life. The thought of it does something strange to my already thumping heart.

And it also made the guilt worse. This was the time, I had to do it.

He caught my reflection in the mirror.

Our eyes met.

And just like that, his entire expression shifted—softer, warmer.

“Good morning, baby.”

My stomach twisted.

God.

Why did he have to be like that?

I swallowed, forcing my feet to move closer, even though every nerve ending in me was screaming to run.

“I… um…”

My voice came out smaller than I intended.

He turned then, fully facing me, brows drawing together slightly as he took in my expression.

“What’s wrong my love?” he asked drawing closer to me, his face etched with genuine concern that just made it all worse.

“I—there’s something I need to tell you,” I said, my fingers curling by my side, “And I just… I hope you don’t get mad.”

A small exhale left him, almost amused, like I’d said something ridiculous.

“Mad?” he repeated, tilting his head slightly. “At you?”

I nodded quickly, even though my chest felt tight.

I willed myself to be resolute. “First I need to know something.” I looked up at him now. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

His head tilts again in confusion, “What was that supposed to mean? You are my wife and nice is bare minimum, I’m just decent to be honest.”

“No.. it’s not….I’m not,” I sputtered, my gaze now downturned, “Okay look… I’m not your actual wife or bride or whatever. I am Brianna Stewart, not Emily Stewart, your actual bride.”

He didn’t reply. I had to continue.

“I didn’t know until recently,” I rushed out. “I also found out the day before, and I thought—maybe I should tell you before the ceremony because if I don’t then—then it would be wrong and—”

“Hey.”

His voice cut through my rambling, his hands finding my shoulders in a bid to keep me from panicking. I was on the brink of it.

But I had to let it out before it spiraled. I had to let him be aware, before commitments are made.

“Slow down,” he said quietly, his gaze steady on mine. “What are you talking about?”

My throat felt dry as I pulled away from his hold. Everything in me tightened.

“You must think that I was Emily, but I’m not. I am Brianna, the one sent as a replacement for the bride that ran away.”

“I’m not the youngest daughter you asked for,” I continued, my chest tightening with every word. “I’m Brianna. I wasn’t the one you were supposed to marry.”

My hands clenched tighter.

Then Silence, he doesn’t speak, I don’t dare to continue or look up to see his face.

I waited for outburst, for anger, shock, anything. Nothing came. I could only freeze in place.

“Brianna,” he called out, like he was testing the name on his tongue.

My heart thudded violently against my chest, not from fear, or anything.

I just had to admit, the way he said my name, for the first time felt way too good. I couldn’t help but look up at him.