Substitute Bride

SELENA’S POV.

“Fetch your sister; we have company,” Mother commanded loudly. I heaved a sigh, set down my coffee, and strode from my room with a sense of resignation.

Mother’s enthusiasm for this marriage, as if she’s struck gold, grates on my nerves.

At last, Gabriella will be gone, escaping Mother’s outbursts, leaving me to endure them alone.

I entered Gabriella’s room unannounced. She stood there, adorned in an elegant white lace dress that accentuated her figure, a veil draped over her hair, perusing a magazine.

“The guests have arrived,” I said. Looking up, I noticed tears glistening in her eyes.

“What’s the matter?” I inquired as I took the magazine from her, scanning the wedding news.

Gabriella exhaled deeply, her attention fixed on the scene beyond the window. “I’m not sure I can go through with this,” she confessed softly.

“You must,” I insisted, holding her hands for reassurance.

“That’s easy for you to say; you’re not in my shoes,” she replied sharply.

“Gabriella, it’ll all work out. Mother wouldn’t have agreed if they weren’t decent folks,” I reassured her quietly.

“Come on! You know Mother would do anything for money,” Gabriella countered, rising from the bed, hands defiantly on her hips.

“Do you think money is her motive?” I questioned, skepticism creasing my brow.

“What other reason could there be? I don’t buy the story about settling Father’s debts after his death,” she argued.

“We both know Father left a substantial debt to the Evans family,” I said, pausing to catch my breath, “and Mother would not have pursued this if they weren’t insistent on repayment.”

“I just can’t do this,” Gabriella exclaimed, her frustration echoing as she slammed her hands on the desk.

“Gabby, our entire future lies on this. If you reject this marriage, we’ll be ruined. Is that what you want?” I pressed.

“If you’re so concerned, why don’t you marry him?” She challenged me. My frustration mounted.

“I would if I weren’t committed to Derrick,” I replied, turning away to hide my turmoil.

“You can’t even face me because you know you wouldn’t dare,” she said softly, and I felt a pang of sympathy for her.

“Gabby, you didn’t hesitate to sign the deal with the Evans family. What’s changed now?”

“I’m pregnant,” she blurted out, stopping me mid-sentence.

“Pregnant? How? With whom?” I bombarded her with questions, her eyes downcast.

“I can’t marry him; I’m pregnant with another man’s child,” she affirmed, cradling her belly.

“Who’s the father?” I demanded, still reeling from the shock. She retreated, silent, as I approached.

“Say it,” I urged. “Nate,” she finally admitted.

“Nate Williams?” I sought confirmation. “Yes, who else?” she replied, sinking onto the bed.

“I can’t believe you disregarded Mother’s warnings about him,” I said, disbelief evident in my tone.

“I love him, Selena. I can’t marry that ruthless man that I don’t know, especially carrying Nate’s child,” she declared.

“Nate is no saint either,” I countered.

“But at least I love him. I need to leave, to protect my child from this sham of a marriage,” she reasoned.

“Seriously, Gabby? How do you plan to pull that off?” I questioned, unable to hide my skepticism at her naive statement.

“As long as you’re here, it’ll be easier,” Gabriella said, her gaze averted.

"I'm lost," I admitted, trying to grasp what Gabriella was implying.

"Just let Mom know I'll be down shortly," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Really?" I said, brightening up at her assurance.

"Yes, now go before I reconsider," she urged, and I enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"You're amazing. I'll be waiting for you," I said, planting a kiss on her forehead before leaving her room.

I spotted Mom downstairs with a couple of men, likely guests. "She'll be down soon," I murmured to her before stepping out of the living room.

*****

"Selena, where on earth is your sister?" Mom demanded as she entered the kitchen.

"I don't know, Mom. She's not downstairs?"

"You know she's not. If she were, I wouldn't be asking. Didn't you say she was coming? So where is she?"

"Mom, please, take a deep breath," I pleaded, hopping off the kitchen counter.

"Don't tell me to relax. The guests and the priests are waiting. Find your sister now; the whispers are starting, and you know how I hate that," she ordered, gesturing towards the door.

"You need to learn some patience," I muttered under my breath.

But Mom was already on her way out. "Gabby!" I called out, entering her room. "Gabby, where are you?"

I looked around, but she was nowhere to be found. I dreaded the worst. My heart pounded as I checked the bathroom, only to be met with emptiness.

"This can't be happening. Gabby!" I cried out, rushing to the window, but she was gone.

I approached her wardrobe, and my breath caught at the sight of her wedding dress still hanging there. "No, Gabby, you can't have..." I trailed off, disbelief washing over me as I clutched the dress.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, only to hear her phone ring from the desk. She left her phone behind. I realized, spotting it on the desk. Then my eyes caught sight of a note.

"I'm sorry, but I had no choice. Take care of Mom and yourself. Love, Gabriella."

I felt tears sting in my eyes as I read her words. "This can't be happening—" "What's all this?" Mom barged in, and I turned to face her with the note in hand.

"She left," I said softly.

"Gabriella?" Mom took the note from me, her voice tinged with frustration. "How could she do this? We had a deal with the Evans. She can't just leave us like this."

"It's clear Gabriella never wanted any part of this," I pointed out.

"Nobody does, but it was necessary to protect us," Mom snapped back. "Now that she's gone, we have no choice. You will marry Aiden Evans in place of your sister," she commanded.

"Never! It's not possible," I protested.

"Nothing is impossible. Either you marry Aiden Evans to save our family's reputation, or you let it be tarnished even further," she said sternly.

"I just can't," I responded, feeling a surge of panic.

"You must," she insisted, looking me straight in the eye.

The thought of betraying Derrick was unbearable. He has my heart. I understand the importance of family, but how can I possibly explain this to Derrick?

AIDEN'S POV.

Where could the bride be?

The one causing such a stir?

I mused, eyeing the clock with a deepening scowl at each passing moment. My fingers drummed on the table, betraying my restlessness.

Staying still was not an option for me.

With each chime of the clock, my irritation intensified, secretly wishing for a mishap to disrupt the meticulously planned marriage orchestrated by my parents.

Nevertheless, I feigned interest, not wanting to appear indifferent to the marriage.

"Dad, may I have a word?" I requested, turning to him.

His friends stepped aside, and before he could respond, I asked, "Dad, what's causing the hold-up?"

"Women and their dressing rituals take time, just like your mother," he said, nodding towards my mom.

"Sure, but this is taking an eternity, and I'm growing weary of this space," I complained, receiving a reassuring pat from my father.

"Relax, they wouldn't dare cause a scene, or they'll regret the embarrassment," he assured me.

---

SELENA'S POV.

"I refuse to do it!" I declared to my mother, exasperated after countless pleas. She had been incessantly urging me to marry a man I did not know, and my patience was wearing thin.

"How dare you raise your voice?" she snapped back, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Forgive me, Mother, but marrying Aiden Evans is impossible when my heart belongs to another," I said softly, trying to reason with her.

"Enough with this talk of love. We both understand the dire consequences of defying the Evans. Our very lives are at stake," she reminded me, her voice firm.

"It's clear you're indifferent to my feelings. My happiness is irrelevant to you, isn't it?" I challenged, locking eyes with her.

She turned away, arms folded, avoiding my gaze. "That's precisely why Gabriella fled, and I can't blame her. This is on you for agreeing to such terms," I continued, pointing accusingly at her.

"I'm not interested in who's to blame. All I expect is for you to replace your sister, that's all," she stated firmly, showing no signs of backing down.

"Think about your father. Do this for him, if not for me," she implored more gently.

"He was the one indebted, and if you wish to preserve his reputation, then act. Otherwise, do nothing. I won't bother—" she said, her voice trailing off.

"I'll do it," I interjected, and I saw a glimmer of relief on her face.

"That's my daughter. Now, dress in Gabriella's gown and join me downstairs," she instructed, handing me the dress before exiting.

What have I agreed to? Why did I consent to this absurd marriage? It was the memory of my father that haunted me.

The bridal gown felt like shackles rather than finery. Each adornment weighed heavily upon me, symbolizing the burdensome expectations placed upon my shoulders.

Gazing into the mirror, I saw a bride whose eyes reflected uncertainty about a future dictated by duty, not affection.

Adjusting my veil, I resigned myself to my fate, thinking, 'For my family, for honor,' a mantra now ingrained in me as I donned the dress with reluctance.

Lost in contemplation, the sound of my phone jolted me back to reality. My heart thundered. Derrick, I muttered. It was Derrick calling.

What should I do? How could I explain? As the phone continued to ring, I turned away, tears streaming down my face, until the ringing ceased.

What should I tell Derrick when he discovers I'm marrying someone else?

A knock interrupted my reverie. "Selena, it's time," Laura, our loyal servant, and my father's friend, announced as she entered.

"Could you ask my mother for a couple more minutes?" I pleaded, standing and wiping away tears.

"I'm sorry, Selena. Mrs. Rose Vance, your mother, insists I escort you downstairs immediately," Laura said, her eyes on the ground.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to collect myself. The path ahead was treacherous, and my heart weighed heavy with secrets about my sister's pregnancy. But for now, duty demanded my compliance, even if it meant sacrificing my own desires.

"I don't mean to pry," Laura remarked, "but it's evident you're not thrilled about this marriage."

"You're right, Laura. But we must do what's necessary for our family's sake," I replied, trying to sound convincing.

After a brief silence, I mustered a smile and said, "Let's go ahead," as Laura helped me down, holding the end of my bridal train.

The crowd's murmuring stopped as the wedding march began, and I descended the stairs, sporting a pretend smile. The priest, dressed entirely in white, took his place. My mother's eyes sparkled with triumph as if she'd won the lottery. I couldn't wait for this to be over as I reached Aiden Evans, the groom, at the altar.

"You look beautiful," he said, but I gave no response. The last thing on my mind was to act as if all was perfect.

After the priest's short sermon, the moment everyone awaited arrived, and my heart pounded. The priest looked at me and asked, "Miss Selena Vance, do you take Mr. Aiden Evans as your husband, in joy and sorrow, until death do you part?"

I can't go through with this, I thought, eyes shut, as whispers filled the air. I wished to vanish, but reality hit when the priest asked again.

---

AIDEN'S POV.

Rejecting this charade was all I could think about. Despite knowing that my family's reputation would be the talk of Los Angeles and beyond, I was prepared to put an end to it, yet I didn't want to be the one to halt everything. For the first time in ages, I silently implored the Blessed Virgin Mary to inspire Selena to reject this farcical union.

---

SELENA'S POV.

The buzz of the assembly grew louder, and visions of my father haunted me. "Do it for your father," my mother's voice resonated in my head, prompting me to exhale deeply.

"I do," I uttered at last, prompting applause from everyone.

Looking at Aiden, I sensed his discontent. Perhaps he detested this as much as I did. Better still, I had no intention of enduring six months with him.

The priest's inquiry interrupted my thoughts, "Mr. Aiden Evans, do you take Miss Selena Vance as your wife, through good and bad times, until death do you apart?"

I silently wished for him to refuse, sparing me the blame. Yet, my hope was dashed as he affirmed, "Yes," with a nod.

The audience erupted in cheers, and the priest announced, "You may now kiss the bride."

The reality of the situation was suffocating, the weight of my decision pressing down on me. My lips parted, but not for the kiss; they trembled with the magnitude of the unspoken truth clawing its way up my throat.

My heart raced, pleading for an intervention, for a power outage, a sudden storm, anything to halt the inevitable.

And then, as his face drew nearer, a question surfaced, sharp and urgent, demanding an answer: Was I prepared to spend six months with a stranger just to settle my father's debts?