A journey to freedom

ChapterThree

It was the day of the wedding and Seraphina still hadn't been found. Selene had tossed and turned all night long. Sleep had evaded her.

Turning on her phone, Selene called her best friend, Vivian. She picked on the first ring.

"Hey, girl," Vivian's bubbly voice came over the line. "What's up? Aren't you supposed to be busy with Seraphina's wedding planning? Or did the Wicked Witch of the West let you rest a bit?"

"I'm not sure that there's going to be a wedding," Selene said calmly.

Vivian's voice took a serious turn. "What do you mean? Did the brat decide not to go through with it?"

"That would have been better," Selene replied. "She ran away?" "Damn," Vivian chuckled. "I didn't think she had it in her."

If it were someone else this was happening to, Selene might have laughed. But the fact that it was happening to her had removed every humour she might have felt.

"It's not funny, Viv. I'm scared of what Helen could do."

"Okay, calm down. When did this happen?"

"Um, yesterday. She ran away before the rehearsal dinner."

Vivian was quiet for a while. "Do you have any idea where she might have gone?"

Selene stood up and wandered to her window. She pulled the curtain and looked at the garden below. "That's the thing. I've got absolutely no idea. But I think she eloped with Jackson."

"Jackson? No good Jackson?"

"Yeah. Not only that, she robbed Dad. She stole a boatload of money from his safe, and she stole my diamond necklace."

Vivian whistled. "What a b***h! Does Tristan know? " Is his family aware?" "No."

"Then what happened at the rehearsal dinner? Was it cancelled?" Selene chewed on her bottom lip. "I may have stood in for her."

"Selene May Aldridge! You did not!" Vivian said, outraged.

"You know how Helen can be. She was blaming me for Seraphina's disappearance."

Vivian tutted. "That's not your fault. Seraphina is not a child. You can't be held responsible for her actions"

"I know. Now, I'm just scared they don't ask me to marry Tristan instead of Sera. He's an asshole, Viv."

"But he's really hot, though." "Viv!" Selene pouted.

"Look, Helen's crazy, but she's not that crazy. Trust me. Even if she suggested such a thing, your father wouldn't allow it."

"Yeah. That's true. Thanks, girl."

"Anytime. Let me know how it goes." The girls said their goodbyes and Selene ended the call. Someone rapped at the door before pushing it open. It was Helen.

“Seraphina isn't back yet," Helen said by way of greeting.

Selene's stomach sank. "Oh. What are we going to do now?"

"We have a lot riding on this wedding taking place. Your father's business will take a serious hit if we pull out of the wedding with the Vortexes. Not to mention the embarrassment. And I will not be embarrassed."

"There's nothing we can do, is there? Seraphina's gone. There can be no wedding without a bride."

Helen looked at Selene, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "There is one thing we could do." "What's that?"

"You could marry Tristan instead. After all, you're an Aldridge too. The wedding will be held, and the Vortexes will be satisfied."

Tristan's threat from the previous day rang in Selene's head, loud and clear.

"No, no, no, no," she shook her head rigorously. "You can't do that. I can't do that. They will think we're playing them for fools."

"What they think doesn't matter as long as there's an Aldridge walking down that aisle today. Nothing else matters."

"This is ridiculous. Dad would never agree to this."

"I hate to break it to you but he already has. The blowback from Seraphina's foolishness will ruin us. You're the only one who can get us out of this. James needs this alliance to save the company and our family reputation."

Selene paced the length of her room, her hands pulling at her hair. "This can't be happening. Why can't we just tell the truth?"

"We are telling the truth, while offering an alternative."

"And I'm the alternative?"

Helen looked Selene in the eye as she delivered her final blow. "Yes." ***

Selene was still in a state of shock as she wore the wedding dress originally intended for Seraphina. When she was done with her makeup, she went down the stairs towards the garden where James, Helen and the guests were waiting.

"I'm sorry it had to be like this. But you look beautiful," James said with a small smile as he took her hand. Helen rolled her eyes and walked away to find her seat.

The four string violin started to play and Selene and James made their way down the aisle. When Selene came to face Tristan, she saw he was in a beautiful navy three-piece suit, a Patek Philippe wristwatch adorned his wrist and his hair was styled away from his face to show his chiseled jawline. He'd shaved today, so there was no stubble. Tristan's eyes ran over Selene, betraying no emotion. It was almost like he was looking at a stranger. And in a way, Selene supposed he was.

Huh, Selene thought. He looked more beautiful with the floppy hair and stubble.

Together, Selene and Tristan turned to face the priest. Then the priest began the ceremony.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Tristan Vortex and Selene Aldridge in the most beautiful union of all: a marriage. May their union be filled with love, grace, and divine guidance."

"Amen," the guests chorused.

The priest continued and Tristan and Selene turned to face each other.

"Do you, Tristan Vortex, take Selene for your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do," Tristan said, his voice flat and devoid of warmth as he slid his ring onto Selene's finger.

The priest turned to Selene. "Do you, Selene Aldridge, take Tristan for your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Selene swallowed as she forced the words past her lips. "I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"

For the first time since the farce began, Selene's eyes met Tristan's and there was a warring and something else she couldn't name in his steel grey eyes. Then he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in a peck, and their marriage was sealed. The guests erupted in joyous applause but Selene could not find it in her to be happy.