MasukHer mother helped her get into the car that was waiting for them. The women seemed so happy, but Marian was slowly losing it. Her insides were in great turmoil. She tried so hard to comfort herself in front of her mother and the rest, or they'd know something was off. She regretted not stopping her sister and going to tell her mother; now she was already in a mess.
The car soon arrived at the church. The wedding was being held in the Catholic church. The media was outside waiting for the bride's car. As soon as Marian stepped out of the car, they began to flash their cameras at her. She almost fell, as she was not used to bright flashing cameras. Her mother quickly held her arm, "Take it easy, dear." She nodded; her father came to meet her, "You look beautiful, my darling daughter." He grinned, "You're about to make us proud." She bit her lips; make them proud? Her heart raced all the more; they would be disappointed to find her at the altar and more disappointed in her because she couldn't stop her sister from running away. She tried holding the tears that were threatening to fall. No one should notice she was crying yet. Her father stretched out his arm, and she took it; it was her dream for her father to walk her down the aisle to meet her husband, but today he was walking her down the aisle to meet her sister's supposed husband instead, her supposed brother-in-law. She walked steadily behind him, trying very hard to mind her steps. All eyes were on her; they began to murmur, and she felt her strength slowly leaving her legs, so she held onto her father's arm tighter. He led her to the altar where Bruce was waiting for her. He had a very wide grin on his face. Her heart weakened when she saw him looking so happy; she was one hundred percent sure his smile would disappear when he found out she wasn't Elisabeth. She gulped, preparing herself for the worst. She exhaled and walked to the altar and stood opposite him. "Wow, Lizzy, you look extremely charming." He smiled. Her heart skipped; she raised her head to look at him through her veil. He was looking so handsome in a Navy blue tuxedo; his hair was gelled back. He had blueberry eyes, a pointed nose, and rosy pink lips. He was truly a beauty. She sighed and only nodded. "Bruce Anderson, do you take Elisabeth Green to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer and poorer till death do you part?" "Yes, I do." He grinned. "Elisabeth Green, do you take Bruce Anderson to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer and poorer till death do you part?" She hesitated; she was about to speak! Her heart pounded in her chest; what was she going to do? She was not that good at mimicking voices. Bruce frowned a little, "Come on, Lizzy, answer him." He said quietly. Everyone present began to murmur. She remembered that the media was also there and would definitely start making up stories. She quickly responded, "I do." The priest nodded, "Let us bless the rings." He blessed the rings and told the couples to exchange them. Bruce went first, took Marian's hand in his, and arched his brows; her hand felt somehow different. He shoved it aside and slid the ring on her finger. Marian's eyes were welling up with tears; she never wanted this and wanted to scream and end it all. She was given the ring, took it with shaky hands, and slid it on his finger, with her heart crying inside. The congregation clapped and cheered on, saying they made a very beautiful couple. Some were already taking pictures of them. "If there's any reason these two should not be joined together in matrimony, speak now or be silent forever." No one spoke from the congregation; Marian wished someone would just come in and stop the wedding. "I now declare you..." Her breath ceased at that moment; her legs wobbled, and she trembled. "...Husband and wife!" The congregation cheered on louder. Marian sniffed; the moment she dreaded most was now before her. "You may now kiss the bride." The priest said. Her heart dropped to her stomach; Bruce would finally open her veil and see who was behind it. He reached out for her veil and slowly opened it. He widened his eyes in surprise; this wasn't the woman he was supposed to marry! He opened his mouth to say something, but words seemed to have disappeared from his mouth. Everyone still watched on, remembering his reputation might be at stake if he hesitated; he kissed her, but it was not a passionate kiss, as he didn't want to kiss the woman who was supposed to be his sister-in-law! Their parents had noticed the change but kept quiet about it. They were quite surprised, as Marian was the bride instead of Elisabeth. He pulled away from her; anger was visible in his eyes, but he couldn't express it, at least not now. The priest finally concluded the wedding ceremony. The newlywed couple processed out of the church. Everyone congratulated them as they processed out of the church. Marian felt so guilty inside; she feared what would happen when she was finally alone with Bruce . The procession continued until they were outside. They took some photographs with their friends and family. All through the paparazzi, Marian avoided her parents' eyes; she couldn't dare look them in the eye. That was over, and the couples were finally led to a room where they could at least catch their breaths. Bruce closed the door and faced her with anger in his eyes, "What the hell have you done?" He yelled.Six Years LaterBruce Anderson sat in his car, stuck in New York traffic, staring blankly at the line of red brake lights ahead. His driver had suggested taking a different route, but Bruce hadn't been paying attention. He never paid attention anymore.Six years.Six years since Marian had vanished.He'd woken up that morning in her room, his head pounding, memories of the night before blurry but present enough to make him sick. He'd gone to her. He'd been drunk. He'd thought...God, he'd thought she was Elisabeth.The shame had been crushing. He'd left her room before she woke up, had avoided her for days. Then, two months later, she'd come to him, shaking, crying, holding a pregnancy test in her trembling hands."Bruce, I'm pregnant."He could still see her face. The hope and terror mixed together. The way she'd looked at him like he held her entire world in his hands.And he'd destroyed her."You're lying." Those had been his first words. Not concern. Not surprise. Just cold accusa
Three months had passed since the wedding, and Marian had become a ghost in Bruce's mansion. He barely looked at her, never spoke unless necessary, and made it clear through his cold silence that she was an unwanted presence in his life.Every day felt like punishment. The maids whispered behind her back. His parents refused to acknowledge her existence. And Bruce... Bruce treated her like she was invisible.But at least her father was alive. The surgery had been successful. He was recovering well. Every time the guilt threatened to crush her, she reminded herself: "Dad is alive because of what I did. It was worth it."Still, the price was so much higher than she'd imagined.She had tried everything cooking his favorite meals (which he never touched), waiting up for him at night (he'd walk past her without a glance), even attempting small conversations (met with icy silence). Each rejection carved deeper into her heart, but she told herself she deserved this. After all, she had taken
She gulped, her legs wobbling, "I'm so sorry, Bruce; I had no choice." She said, tears in her eyes. His eyes were already red with fury, "Where is Elisabeth?" He grabbed her arm. She gulped, "She... She ran away." A tear slid down her cheek. He looked dazed, blinking in confusion, "Ran away?" "Yes, she ran away and asked me to take her place." She broke down in tears.He was surprised, "Why did she run away?" He asked himself. "I don't know." The tears she had been trying to hold back began to pour in torrents; she didn't bother about her makeup. The door flung open, and Mr. Anderson entered the room, full of rage. "Marian, how dare you?!" He yelled. She shrank in fear, avoiding his furious eyes, trembling from head to toe. "I had no choice, Mr. Anderson; I was forced to." She palmed her face, sobbing."How could you do this, Marian? Is this what we taught you?" Her mother asked, hurt. She continued sobbing quietly. "Now you're the daughter-in-law instead of Elisabeth; what have you
Her mother helped her get into the car that was waiting for them. The women seemed so happy, but Marian was slowly losing it. Her insides were in great turmoil. She tried so hard to comfort herself in front of her mother and the rest, or they'd know something was off. She regretted not stopping her sister and going to tell her mother; now she was already in a mess.The car soon arrived at the church. The wedding was being held in the Catholic church. The media was outside waiting for the bride's car. As soon as Marian stepped out of the car, they began to flash their cameras at her. She almost fell, as she was not used to bright flashing cameras. Her mother quickly held her arm, "Take it easy, dear." She nodded; her father came to meet her, "You look beautiful, my darling daughter." He grinned, "You're about to make us proud." She bit her lips; make them proud? Her heart raced all the more; they would be disappointed to find her at the altar and more disappointed in her because she c
"Why is Elisabeth not ready yet? She's taking so long." Marian went upstairs to check on her sister. Today was her wedding day. Elisabeth had asked everyone to leave her room because she wanted to spend some time alone before getting married."Elisabeth? Why are you taking so long? You don't want to be late for the wedding, do you?" She hurried to her sister's room. She knocked on the door but got no response. "Come on now, at least open the door." She whined. The door slowly opened, and Elisabeth stood at the door, looking disheveled. Marian gasped in surprise, "Elisabeth? What's wrong? You were supposed to be in your wedding dress!"Elisabeth grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room. "You have to help me, Marian. If you don't, Marcus will die." She sounded tearful, with dried tears staining her cheeks; she had been crying hard. "Marcus? Who's Marcus?" She frowned."Marcus is the man I love. I don't want to get married to Bruce; I don't like him at all." She sobbed. Marian's eye







