The Bride Novels & Stories

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." The words hit me like a slap. My hands shook inside the white lace gloves as Alexander Voss slid the heavy gold band onto my finger. Not Sophia's. Mine. I forced a smile for the hundreds of eyes watching us. The cathedral smelled of expensive flowers and even more expensive perfume. Cameras flashed nonstop. "You may kiss the bride," the officiant said with a proud smile. Alexander leaned in. His grey eyes locked on mine for the first time up close. For one second I thought he might actually do it. Then something shifted in his face. His jaw tightened. He pressed a quick, cold kiss to my cheek instead.

“Tiana, come back to me, okay? This time, I’ll give you the grandest wedding. You’ll wear the most beautiful wedding dress.” Zack frowned and kicked him away. “Don’t touch my wife.” Watching Shawn fall to the ground, I thought of the child I had lost, and my eyes welled up with tears. “Shawn, you disgust me.” My whole body trembled, but the tears still flowed down my cheeks. “Five years ago, when you made me wear a bridesmaid’s dress, I was carrying your child! That night, you never came looking for me in that heavy rain. You didn’t care whether a pregnant woman like me might be in danger.

"Breaking news! Bride loses her mind at billionaire wedding!" "Guess she wasn't meant for the high life. So close to marrying into money, and she snaps." Below the stage, guests in tailored suits crowded together. Some pulled out hidden cameras and started snapping photos nonstop, while others crouched in corners, clutching their heads and whispering prayers. All because, while Malcom Blair and I were exchanging vows just moments ago, I slapped him across the face, then dragged over a filthy man from the entrance who looked like a homeless drifter and kissed him in front of everyone.

The church bells rang softly, echoing through the grand hall as Olivia took her first steps down the aisle. She radiated beauty, her chocolate skin glowing beneath the delicate lace veil, her smile wide and bright, her eyes sparkling with dreams of forever. Each step was filled with excitement, her heart leaping at the thought that in a few minutes, she would finally be Mrs. Jack. Her mother dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her brother grinned proudly, and the guests leaned in, admiring the stunning bride. The air was filled with warmth and expectation.

I couldn't seem to stop. "The financiers on Swift's side have a covenant. Old money, extremely specific language. The deal includes a share exchange: Swift shares granted to the bride, Hartwell shares to the groom, and the covenant requires that whoever the bride is must be operationally qualified. Involved in the business. Not—" I stopped. "Not ceremonial." A long silence. "Not Celeste," Maya said. "Not Celeste." Another silence. Then Maya made a sound that was technically a snort but contained entire universes. "'Bride must have relevant aviation credentials.' They wrote that into a merger covenant."

Playing their game. -Go away. -She said. Brahim stared at her, not understanding anything. The back of his hand caressed her warm cheek. "You're crazy," he swore. He didn't wait for an explanation, he certainly didn't care. The bride, dressed in her enormous, pompous and flashy dress, was left alone in the middle of the aisle. She felt a great emptiness inside her. It was the uncertainty of not knowing who she was or why she ended up in the hands of the Tonali brothers.

Dora asked, but her husband didn't answer, as if he had tried telling her what was happening, Dora might have tried to cause a scene. Suddenly, the bride’s song was being played. Cathleen walked down the aisle with her head held high and a proud smile on her face. Despite being surrounded by guests in fancy attire, she stood out like a masterpiece in a room full of sketches. The strapless wedding dress hugged her slim frame perfectly, highlighting her alluring collarbones and curves. Every step she took exuded confidence and beauty, making it clear that she didn't need anyone to give her hand in marriage—she was already a masterpiece created by God.

I spoke underneath my breath. "Luciano please do not make a fuss. You know the situation of things at hand. La sposa non sembra accettare." My mother retorted back. "The bride should not even be given a choice to accept or not!" I frothed on the inside, the mere thought of all this getting me so livid.

The bride who was silent for all this time suddenly made a loud scream. The woman immediately took a drum nearby and started beating it in rhythm followed by I heard more drums noise coming from village. As soon as the sounds heard, the woman looked at the bride and smirked with satisfaction and started leaving the place. What is happening? Who is she and what did she do to that bride? Just then I saw a dark cloud forming above the head of the bride becoming big by seconds covering her. Then the bride’s begging cries turning into a muffled sound started coming out.

The air was thick with anticipation as everyone's attention was fixated on the entrance point, awaiting the grand arrival of the bride. As the murmurs escalated, a hush fell over the gathering, and all eyes were directed towards the doorway. The ethereal melody of the wedding march began to play, signalling the bride's imminent entrance. Shawn's curiosity intensified, his eyes narrowing as he anticipated the revelation of the captivating bridesmaid. And then, like a vision, she emerged from the doorway—a breathtaking embodiment of elegance and grace. Emma, clad in a resplendent bridesmaid gown, seemed to transcend the earthly bo