Novel & Cerita Paper Promise: The Substitute Bride

They called him a living demon. The bride he had named was Carrie Wheaton, the Wheaton family's eldest daughter—beautiful, talented, and perfect in every way. But now, I—the "fake daughter" they had adopted by mistake—was being shoved forward to take her place. A substitute bride. A sacrificial offering. Carrie stood off to the side, her lips curving into a barely hidden smirk of schadenfreude. A lawyer spoke up, "Jessica, once you sign this agreement, you'll become Will's legal wife. As compensation, the Wheaton family will provide you with a sum of money."

Anything he has done for me I have compensated in cash, bearer bonds and even diamonds and gold. "It's done. But you can give me the girl in exchange of the ownership of the Santorini Hotels." I dropped the signed papers on the table. "It's all there. Take it and give me the girl." "What stops me from keeping the hotels and the girl?" "Mutual trust. We have shared that since we met. Why should we ruin it now?" He studied the papers. He took his sweet time until he was satisfied. "I see. It looks genuine. Marianna is a Mafia Bride. She was promised to a loyal member of the Mafia. You're asking me to break that promise for billions. Is it a fair trade?"

His words made a smile spread across my lips but I was quick to wipe it off. "Have you gone nuts? We are not even friends, why should I get into a deal with you?" I rolled my eyes in disgust. Ignoring me, he pressed on, “Five million dollars.” “Excuse me?” “I will make it ten, fifteen. Let's settle for twenty, what do you say?" Dumbfounded, I couldn't say a word. My lips were heavy. After what seemed like forever, he pushed his hand into his hair and with a calm tone, he said, “I need a substitute bride.”

But the handwriting was jagged and manic. [ Do you want your bride? ] [ She is waiting for you. ] [ Come alone to the Old Port, Warehouse 4. ] [ If you bring the police, or if you don't come in 30 minutes... ] [ The wedding turns into a funeral. ] [ P.S. Don't forget your wheelchair. You'll need it. ] The paper crumpled in Sebastian’s hand. The church music was still playing. The guests were still smiling, waiting for the bride. But Sebastian’s world had just turned into hell.

His voice was cold, and from the way his brows were furrowed, he was just as much confused as I was. "A wedding will be held today." He says in finality. My mother's eyes aren't the only one that goes wide. "B-but Kathrine isn't here," my mother stutters. "I am aware that your eldest daughter isn't here, Dorothy, but remember that before this was a love match, it was a business arrangement, and in order for the business arrangement to be fulfilled, your daughter must marry my son." Her eyes land on me, and my body goes rigid. He couldn't possibly mean…

My voice was thin, nothing like Bianca’s bold, confident tone. I felt Alessandro’s grip tighten on my hand. He didn't move, but I felt his energy change. It was like a predator sensing a shift in the wind. We exchanged rings. The gold band felt like a shackle. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." This was it. The moment the lie would break. My father held his breath. I closed my eyes, praying for a quick death. Alessandro reached out. His large hands gripped the edges of my veil. Slowly, he lifted it. The cool air hit my face, and I was forced to look at him.

Not a face. The impression of one. A bride. With a hollow where her mouth should’ve been. She hovered over me silently. Then leaned in, brushing her blurred features across mine like smoke. And whispered into my mind— > “You laid here. You promised here.” I shook my head. “This was never a vow,” I spat. > “But you loved her.” “I still do.” > “Then the contract is sealed.” --- The blood soaked up my sleeves. The mattress swelled and breathed like a living lung.

“When we came here…you made me promise to bring you back after we've wedded—and I've fulfilled my promise, yet you act like a different person in the same skin.” A different person in the same skin—the words resounded in her head. Chills swirled down her spine and she shivered. She blinked, inwardly fighting the urge to look away—cheeks burning, blushing pink. That was definitely who she was—a different person in the same skin was an understatement. She was a totally different person, an imposter. Was she ruining this before it even started? Their marriage was barely three days old. And, Pamela had already planned the dinner reservation before the wedding?

“We don’t know anything about each other. We don’t listen to each other.” “Actions speak louder than words.” “And you have not exactly shown me that you are hopelessly devoted or in love with me.” I told him. Ethan’s eyes darkened and his expression morphed from frustrated to determined. He reached behind him and pulled out a folded packet of paper. I recognized it immediately as the contract we signed when we first met each other in the pastry shop before wedding dress shopping. The paper that sealed my fate and saved my mom. The paper that promised me to Ethan for a year.

“So, your sister’s wedding dress is still in her room. It is already prepared, so you just have to wear it. I’ll do your makeup as I was to do for your sister.” Carol burst into full-bellied laughter at this, laughing until tears were streaming from her eyes. “What’s so funny?” “You really expect me to go and put on my sister’s wedding dress and then go and get married to her fiancée?” “We do not have any other choice. This is our last resort. As a matter of fact, we are extremely lucky that Mr. James is even considering it at all. If only you knew the number of girls who would give up their left kidneys to marry Sebastian. He’s one of the most eligible bachelors in this country, you know.”