Chapter 4

Elizabeth's POV

They say every bride dreams about her wedding day.

But not me. Mine felt like a funeral.

I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me. The ivory wedding gown hugged my waist before flowing gracefully to the floor in soft waves. 

Tiny pearls and crystals sparkled across the bodice, catching the light with every movement I made. My hair had been pinned into an elegant style, with a few loose curls framing my face.

The makeup artist had worked magic on my face. My skin glowed flawlessly. Soft nude lipstick highlighted my lips, and my long lashes drew attention to my eyes.

A pair of diamond earrings rested against my neck while a matching necklace shimmered gently above the sweetheart neckline of my dress.

On my feet were elegant white satin heels, and a long veil cascaded down my back like a waterfall, brushing the polished floor behind me.

To anyone else, I probably looked like a bride who had finally found her happily ever after.

If only they knew.

A knock sounded on the door before it opened, and Eleanor stepped inside, carrying a bouquet of white roses. 

She stopped the moment she looked at me.

“You look beautiful,” she finally whispered after a long silence from her. 

“Thank you.” I smiled weakly. “But I don't feel beautiful.”

She walked over and dropped the bouquet on the table before taking both of my hands in hers. 

“You can still walk away.” 

I looked down at our joined hands. “I can't,” I whispered. 

“Because of Dad?”

I shook my head slowly. “Not just because of him.”

But because of Dave.

If marrying Lucas Hayes was the price I had to pay to stay in New York long enough to find the person who murdered him, then I would pay it.

No matter how much I hated the groom waiting at the altar. 

Eleanor sighed. “I wish things were different.” 

“Me too,” I said, and she smiled at me before taking the bouquet from the table and handing it over to me. 

“Miss Lancaster?” one of the wedding coordinators called from outside. “It's time.”

My stomach twisted, and Eleanor nodded at me, reassuring me. 

*****

The chapel was already filled by the time we arrived.

Luxury cars lined both sides of the street while reporters crowded behind the barricades outside.

Camera flashes exploded nonstop, capturing everything going on.

They were all desperate for an exclusive story about the union of two of New York's most powerful families.

Even through the tinted windows of the limousine, I could hear them shouting.

“Elizabeth!”

“Miss Lancaster!”

“Is this marriage real?”

“Did Lucas Hayes propose because of the affair scandal?”

“What does Victoria Caldwell think?”

The driver pulled into the private entrance, shielding us from the media frenzy, and Jason, Eleanor’s husband, came to the door and helped me out of the car.

“You’re the most beautiful bride I have ever seen,” he said, and I glared at him before he added. “Except Ella, obviously.” 

I smiled. 

He handed me over to Dad and stepped back.

“I am sorry, princess,” his voice cracked, and a tear slipped down my cheeks. “And I love you so much.”

I found myself wiping his tears before I knew it. 

"I know," I answered.

He nodded once before offering me his arm.

“Ready?”

No. I wanted to say, but I smiled anyway.

“Yes.”

The door of the chapel opened, and the music began.

Hundreds of eyes turned toward me, and my eyes found Lucas standing at the end of the aisle, dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. 

Our eyes met, and he didn't smile. Neither did I.

Dad squeezed my arm gently before leading me down the aisle.

Each step I took felt heavier than the last. This wasn't the future I had imagined. This wasn't even the kind of wedding I dreamed of.

But it's the wedding I’d sacrificed myself to have. 

When we finally reached the altar, Dad kissed my forehead before turning to Lucas.

“Take care of my princess.” 

“I will,” Lucas replied before Dad placed my hand into Lucas's.

The warmth of his fingers caught me off guard. It was completely different from the smug boy I remembered.

He leaned closer to my ear so only I could hear him.

“You still have time to run.”

I kept my eyes on the officiant. Then I jabbed him slightly in the side with my elbow. 

“You can do that. I am not breaching the contract.” I whispered to him, smiling so it looked like we were teasing each other. 

He shot me an amused look before straightening as the officiant cleared his throat. 

“Dear beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Lucas Alexander Hayes and Elizabeth Grace Lancaster,” the officiant started, and I blanked, not listening until the officiant started the vows. 

“Will you, Lucas Alexander Hayes, take Elizabeth Grace Lancaster to be your lawfully wedded wife, to stand beside her through every joy and hardship, to love, honor, and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, and for as long as you both live?”

“I do,” Lucas said without hesitation.

Then the officiant turned to me. 

“Will you, Elizabeth Grace Lancaster, take Lucas Alexander Hayes to be your lawfully wedded husband, to stand beside him through every joy and hardship, to love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, and for as long as you both shall live?”

I drew a slow breath, glancing at my Mum and Dad.

“I do.”

“We will now exchange rings,” the officiant said, and the little flower girl brought the rings. 

Lucas slipped the ring down my finger while I did the same to him. 

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Neither of us moved at first. Then Lucas stepped forward, placing a hand lightly against my waist, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. 

“Don't overthink it. It’s just for show.” He murmured before leaning in and brushing his lips against mine in a brief, restrained kiss. Just enough to satisfy the guests. 

To everyone watching, it looked tender, but to us, it was nothing more than another performance.

The quiet chapel erupted into applause while camera flashes lit up the room like fireworks. 

We both turned to the guests with smiles on our faces, and Lucas leaned close enough for only me to hear. 

“Welcome to hell, Mrs. Hayes.” 

I smiled sweetly without looking at him. 

“I was just about to say the same thing, Mr. Hayes.”