Married by Mistake

LUNA

"Luna, I want you to meet my boyfriend," my twin, Camille, said as she dragged me outside.

My hair stood on end when a tall man got out of the car. I was at a loss for words over his sheer hotness, far too fascinated by the man walking toward us. Camille hugged the man's arm. I didn't know why, but it seemed like Camille was forcing her actions.

"Luna, I want you to meet Dylan Caden, my boyfriend."

"Hi." He smiled.

He extended his hand, but I couldn't bring myself to shake it. And I couldn't tear my eyes away from his face. When his brows snapped together because of my delay, I lurched back to reality and hastily placed my cold hand in his large, warm one.

"Luna," I murmured breathlessly. His strong handshake sent tingles up my spine and through my body.

"Veronica was right. You're identical." His laughter was music to my ears.

"Um, yeah." I smiled bashfully, and my cheeks warmed.

I called Veronica 'Camille.' Our names both started with Veronica; I was Veronica Luna, and my twin was Veronica Camille. It had been our mother's name, but we never knew her because she died giving birth to us.

"How long have you been together?" I asked as we walked into the house.

Dylan turned to me, and I averted my gaze. My heart was beating so fast. "Let's see…six months."

I just nodded. We found Papa sitting on the sofa. His eyes were cold when he looked at me. I bowed my head and stopped walking.

"What's wrong?" Camille whispered.

"I should leave. Papa might get angry."

"No. Don't leave. Stay with me," Camille begged. I wondered about the tone of his voice but chose not to leave.

Dad stood up as Dylan approached. "Dylan Caden! I thought you weren't coming."

Dylan smiled and shook Dad's hand. "Hello, sir."

We sat down, and the maid brought a snack into the living room. "Any special reason why you're visiting at this hour? It's past dinner time."

Dylan cleared his throat and took one of Camille's hands. "Uncle, I want to marry your daughter."

I think Dad expected the announcement because he didn't look shocked. But I could see Camille stiffen next to Dylan. I felt her anxiety.

"Isn't that too fast? You've only known each other for a few months, right?" I butted in.

Dad glared at me. His expression was dark. "You're not involved in this conversation, and you're not the one to decide. So leave."

"B-but, Pa—"

"I said leave! Now!"

I got up and headed to our pool. I removed my sandals and dipped my legs in the water. I didn't know how long I was mesmerized by the water, but then I felt someone beside me. Camille also dipped her feet in the water.

She sighed. "I'm going to get married, Luna."

"You didn't reject him? You've only dated for six months."

Her feet played with the water. "We need him, Luna."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Dad lost a gamble and has a big debt. We're sinking, Luna."

I looked into the distance. "Camille?"

"Yeah?"

"He's your boyfriend, and you love each other. I think everything will be alright. You are kind and understanding, and I'm sure your relationship will work."

She laughed softly. "Sometimes, I think I'd rather be you. I want to be invisible too."

"You don't know how it feels to be treated like nothing, Camille. It's hard. Why did Mama die because of me?"

Everyone thought Dad had only one child. They couldn't see me on the ultrasound because Camille allegedly covered me, and when Mama pushed me out, she also let out her last breath.

"It's not your fault at all. Other people's minds are just narrow, Luna. One day, he will realize that he's lucky to have a daughter like you," Camille said softly as she looked at the water.

"Congratulations. You're going to be a Reyes."

"Yeah." She laughed heartily. "Someday, I'm going to be free as a bird."

I never asked her what she meant by that. When Dylan left, I watched his car until I could no longer see it.

A few days passed, and Camille was busy arranging her wedding. We hardly saw each other because of the amount of work we both were handling. I worked on a tight schedule because my customers usually needed their clothing designs the next day. I drank a lot of coffee just to keep from falling asleep because the deadline was near and I still didn't have the perfect design.

I was sitting in front of my table, falling asleep, when my door opened and Camille entered. I looked at my watch and saw that it was four in the morning.

"Hi," she said.

"Why are you still up?" I yawned.

She averted her gaze. "Um, because I just want you to sign something."

I looked at the folder she was holding.

"Huh? What?"

"Um, I want to make you a partner in the new business I'm building. Um, just sign here."

I held out my hand. "Give me."

When I touched the folder, I felt dizzy. Camille immediately approached me.

"Sign there and go to sleep."

"Wait, let me read it more." I searched for my reading glasses, but Camille stopped me.

"Don't. I wouldn't fool you; you're my sister. Just sign here," she said. I nodded, picked up the pen, and signed it. I smiled at her and walked over to my bed.

Two days later, I flew to Cagayan De Oro to deliver the drafts. I scheduled the flights for the day of Camille's wedding because it was the only available day. After all, December was peak travel season.

When I entered the airport, some passengers were upset because of flight delays. I panicked because the ceremony would start in a few hours. I called Camille to tell her my situation.

"I'm sorry, Camille. I don't know if I'll make it to the wedding," I said tearfully. I didn't want to miss my only sister's wedding.

"What?!"

"I'm sorry. My flight is delayed." I was walking around the airport, restless and pacing.

"What…what about the reception?"

I bit my lower lip. "Sorry."

"N-no, Luna. I-I'm the one who should apologize to you." Her voice was trembling.

"Huh? Why? Did something happen?"

"N-nothing. All right. Be careful."

"W-wait—"

"Bye, Luna," she said almost in a whisper.

"Hey, wait!" She didn't wait. I called her several times, but she didn't answer my calls.

After Camille's wedding, I boarded the plane to Bulacan.

I paid for the taxi when I got to our subdivision and walked towards the house. I opened the door and sighed.

Then I saw Dad and Dylan in the living room and my face lit up. Dylan was still here, so that meant Camille was here too.

"Where's Camille?" Dad got up quickly and threw a flower vase at me. I avoided it just in time, and it smashed on the wall behind me. I almost screamed in shock.

"W-what?"

"You're still acting like you don't know?! Where's Camille!?" I looked at Dylan. This was the first time he'd raised his voice to me, and he looked furious.

"W-what? I don't know." I was so confused.

Dad came up to me and grabbed my hair. I cried when I saw the anger in his eyes.

"What did you tell her?!" He pulled me closer to Dylan. I winced at the pain. Dad released me and pushed me to sit next to Dylan.

I looked at Dylan. His eyes were swollen as if he had been crying. "Don't you know where she is? She's your wife."

"No. She isn't."

"H-huh?"

He showed me a paper. It was their marriage certificate. But I was even more surprised when I saw my name written on it with my signature.

"Tell me, Luna." Dylan touched my arms. I winced. "Where is Camille, and what does this mean?!"

"I don't know!" I was confused. Why were they so mad at me? "I'm also confused as to why my name is on the marriage certificate."

"Bullshit!" he yells, annoyed.

"Come with me, and we'll find out if I'm really at fault."

We went to a lawyer to check my signature. I figured that once he found out it wasn't mine, the marriage would be null and void.

"Well, is it hers?" Dylan's authoritative voice devastated me

I straightened up in my seat. Facing us was the man who had checked my signature, a lawyer.

"This is authentic. Miss Garcia, the strokes of your signature here and on the marriage certificate, they're identical," said the professional.

"H-how—" I swallowed. "Can't a marriage be annulled?"

The attorney said it could.

I looked at Dylan. I saw the anger in his eyes. His jaw clenched, and he looked furious. I suddenly remembered Camille coming into my room and asking me to sign a document. Was that the marriage certificate?

"Fuck!" Dylan was very mad. "I have to get married to get Papa's inheritance! I did get married, just not to the woman I love."

I was hurt by what he'd said.

"Let's get an annulment," I said.

"It's not possible yet. According to the law, you can't file an annulment one day after getting married." The lawyer took a deep breath and looked at Dylan. "Mr. Reyes, don't you need to be married to get your inheritance? Why don't you wait a little first? You can file an annulment after you get your inheritance."

"Damn it!" He stood up and left the conference room.

I was startled by the loud closing of the door. My tears flowed. I felt so unwanted.

LUNA

It was almost dawn, and Dylan had still not come home. The house we lived in was not that big. He always left home early and came back late. He made me feel like I was not the one he wanted to come home to.

I heard the door slam even though I was inside my room. I sat up in my bed and opened the door slightly. My body stiffened when I realized he wasn’t the only one to come home.

A woman was hugging his waist, and it looked like she was wearing a child's dress because it was so short. This was his way of torturing me.

"You're the only one living here?" The woman was beautiful.

"Nope. I have a maid here," Dylan responded and kissed the woman on her cheek.

"Maybe she'll hear us when..."

Dylan kissed her neck. "I don't care. She doesn't matter."

My chest tightened in pain. It wasn't my fault that Camille chose to leave him. Why couldn't they believe me? I left my room because I could hear the woman moaning. I went to the kitchen and spent time there.

Camille, you're so damn selfish. I thought Dad was the only person who wouldn’t accept me, but look what you’ve done. You’ve added another person who hates me.

When I returned to the living room, I saw Dylan and the slender woman downstairs. He held the woman's waist.

"Dylan, next time, huh?" the woman said softly.

Dylan smiled. "Of course."

I was like air to them. He didn’t look at me until he’d led the woman out of the house. I heard the woman's car leave.

"Um, Dylan..."

He looked at me coldly. "What do you want?"

"C-Could you stop bringing all your bitches to this house?" I was afraid to say it, but I had to. I was just a human being. I had the right to be angry. "For as—"

He grabbed my arm. His fingers gripped me hard, so I winced. "My bitches? The only bitch in this house is you, Luna."

The corner of my eye heated up. "I'm not a bitch."

"Yeah, you're right. You're a pest that needs to vanish," he said mercilessly. "I still need you until I get my inheritance. And then I will treat you worse than garbage."

Garbage?

"It's not my fault you lost her. I didn't poison Camille's mind. I didn't do anything."

"Who are you kidding? Who would believe you? You know, Luna, don't play clean because you've been dirty for a long time."

I couldn’t stop myself from slapping him. Sometimes, you have to fight. Immediately, his cheek turned red. I screamed when he pushed me hard. I fell to the floor.

"How dare you, a piece of trash, slap me?" He knelt. I moaned as he touched my jaw. "You don't deserve this angelic face. You don't deserve anything in this world. So, Luna, go to hell!"

He violently let me go. I shivered at the extreme pain I was feeling. I could not stand. The little strength I had fled my legs.

"Two days from now, one of our board of directors is celebrating their birthday," he said coldly. "The two of us were invited, but I'm the only one going. I'll just say you're sick. I don't want them to see you. You're embarrassing."

"But my da—"

He smirked. "Are you still hoping your father will ask anything about you?"

I went up to my bedroom with tears in my eyes. I faintly sat up in my bed and stared at the letter Camille had left me.

Luna, I'm sorry I did this horrible thing to you. I know you love Dylan. I can feel it. I want you to be happy. I know someday, he will love you too.

I'm not coming back.

I'm sorry.

Camille. Stupid Camille. She was the most selfish bitch I had ever met. She didn't even think about how Dylan and I would feel. And because of what she did, the important people around me hated me more. My chest tightened. I took the inhaler and put it in my mouth until I could breathe. I lay down on my bed.

Why couldn't they listen to me? Why, of all of us, was I the only one who could understand? Why did I love them so much that I couldn’t miss them?

I went home early to cook Dylan dinner. I went out the door when I heard noises outside. When I opened it, I saw three cars parked outside our house.

Dylan got out of his car. He looked at me coldly. Two men got out of the white car and two from the black car.

"Oh. Here's your fake bride, Dylan!" a man with braces said.

"Just ignore her," Dylan said as they walked into the house.

One by one, his friends brought in a large quantity of wine and laid it on the living room table. I was taken aback by Dylan’s handsome friends.

I was washing the dishes they used when someone pulled my arm. It was Dylan, and his cheeks were flushed like he was drunk.

"Dylan? Wait, what?!"

He pulled me into the living room. All four of his friends were drunk as well. We stopped in front of his friends. I felt nervous.

"Strip," Dylan said.

"W-What?"

"I said, strip," he said coldly. I tried to get out of his grip, but he just tightened up even more. "Oh, come on! We are bored! Why don't you entertain us? You're a whore, right?"

"Dylan, what the hell! No! I'm not like that." I tried to get rid of him.

His friends approached me except for one, who just sat on the sofa and drank beer while watching. One held my hand.

"Wait, don't!" I panicked.

The man touched my jaw. He smiled scarily. "Please stay close. We know what you did to set up Dylan, so don't act like you're innocent."

My tears flowed, and I struggled with all my might. "Release me!"

I was startled when someone grabbed my thigh.

"Shit! She has porcelain skin. Good luck, Dylan." The man with the braces licked his lower lip.

"Don't, please!" I looked at Dylan. His expression was blank as he held one of my hands. "Dylan, that's enough! Help me, please!"

My knees trembled when I felt the man with the braces kiss me on my neck. I avoided him. I tried to walk away, but Dylan and a man held my two hands.

"Tastes like a pearl."

I begged Dylan with my eyes. His eyes widened.

Help me, somebody. I cannot take it anymore.

I sobbed louder and struggled. I felt Dylan let go of my hand. He stopped the friend and pulled me away.

"That's enough. She's too boring. Let's just call a professional whore," Dylan said.

I had a chance to escape, so I immediately ran to my room and locked myself in there. My whole body trembled with fear. My knees were weak, so I fell on the carpeted floor. My tears flowed incessantly.

Where was the good Dylan? I never thought I would be treated like a toy. I cried and cried. I felt so scared. I was startled when there was a knock on my door. I didn't open it. I couldn’t do it.

"Luna?" It was Dylan. Fear swallowed me up, so I did not answer.

"That's enough, please," I whispered while sobbing.

"Damn it." I heard nothing else after he said that.