The Bride Novels & Stories

Alice gasped softly as her eyes landed on the bride. Leonora walked slowly down the aisle, her arm hooked with Ramon’s, while Marisa followed behind holding the edge of her veil. She was breathtaking—her gown simple, elegant, and glowing under the sunbeams pouring through the windows. Her smile shone like sunlight, radiant and warm, lighting up the entire church. The groom, standing at the altar, was equally stunning in his crisp barong. He stood tall, pride etched in every inch of his posture. His eyes never left her.

POV: Elena The gala arrived too soon. The Sterling Children's Foundation held its annual dinner in the ballroom of a downtown hotel, four hundred guests, six photographers, and one wife who had been coached for three days on which questions she was allowed to answer. Damian chose the dress himself. Midnight blue silk, long sleeved, cut low across my back so that the fabric ended just above the base of my spine. When I came out of the dressing room he stopped his chair mid-turn and simply looked at me for several seconds.

Ella POV I smoothed my hand down the side of my gown, deep burgundy, fitted at the waist, with a slit that stopped just above the knee. My jewelry was simple. Luciano sent a few choices, and I chose a thin gold necklace and matching earrings. I heard small feet padding down the hallway before I heard her voice. “Aunty Ella, you look so pretty!” Lovie appeared in the doorway, her eyes wide, her hands clasped together like she was watching something magical. Luca appeared behind her a second later, quieter but just as curious.

"This is impossible!" Lana's voice shifted in pitch as she gazed at the wedding invitation. "You're... really getting married? Cruz! You went ahead and got a marriage license with her without letting me know? And you even altered the name? You... You've gone too far!" Lana's eyes quickly turned red. Tears swirled in her eyes like she was in extreme distress. I was completely speechless, thinking, 'This woman must have graduated from an acting school! It's a pity she didn't become an actress.' '

Her skin was clear except for a few freckles across her nose. Not bad at all. But that strange tight feeling in my stomach didn’t go away. People didn’t make me nervous. The doctor excused himself and slipped out of the room, leaving us alone. For a moment we just looked at each other. “So,” she said with a small smile, “I’m Paris. The surrogate.” I nodded. “I’m Revan Blank.” For some reason I even gave a small wave. I had never waved at anyone outside my family in my entire life.

Her lips moved behind the fabric, muffled words escaping her throat, struggling to be heard. He leaned in closer. “Say it louder!” Her crown shimmered brightly. The silk pressed down harder against her mouth. Only a whisper slid out—delicate and weak. “Help me.” The First Bride tilted her head, her veil fluttering in the fierce wind while her smile widened. “She doesn’t need your flames, Fox. All she needs is the door. That’s what brides are meant for.” Vincent growled low in his throat, his chest trembling with anger. “She is not yours.”

And the garden is beautiful, with perfectly manicured bushes and big flower arrangements. I take my seat on the back and smile politely whenever I make awkward eye-contact with someone, but it doesn't take too long but the music to begin and everyone to turn around, because the bride is here. She's wearing a princess-cut dress, with a very dramatic skirt and a long train. And she’s holding onto the arm of an older man, most likely her father. I watch her walk down the aisle and for the first time in a long time, I allow myself to wonder if I'd like to have this at some point in the future.

I don’t remember setting a meeting for today. There’s a pause and I sensed a change in the tone of the conversation. Sergei’s tone is lighter now, more casual. “So he drawled, lowering the tablet and taking a sip from his glass. Have you met her yet?” I looked back at him “Met who?” “Your bride-to-be.The Italian girl.Serafina right? Don’t tell me you’re not a little curious to see if she’s as entrancing as they say?” he laughed with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

She burst into tears and ran out, hands covering her face. Then I felt the heat of his breath by my ear. "Let's finish the wedding first. I'll explain everything later, okay?" With the nuisance out of the picture and me not quite in the mood to make a scene, the guests stayed quiet, and the ceremony moved along quickly. Not long after, I was in the bridal room, slapping the mattress hard with my palm. 'What the hell was that earlier? Was that supposed to be some kind of seductive act? Hmph. As if that would work on me.'

The sound of the ocean waves whooshed as they hit the shoreline outside their balcony, the lullaby rocking them gently to sleep. *** Seated on the bride’s side next to Ritchie and Bruce, Chris beamed as he watched Fiona walk down the aisle in a floral, designer bridesmaid’s gown. In her hands, she carried a single Bird of Paradise flower, and her blonde hair was in an updo, revealing her high cheekbones and long neck. Their eyes met, and hers crinkled into an unmistakable, naughty smirk, causing