Substitute Bride; My Husband's Mistakes

Chapter 3

CELINE:

Jace got to the black car and carefully put me in the back seat. I didn't even have time to see what car it was, but it had captivating interior. He told the driver, "Roy, take us to the reception venue."

"Alright, boss," came the calm response. I sat there nervously as Jace and I settled in the rear.

I shifted away from him, but remembered I had to pretend I was my sister.

Jace didn't say anything. He looked at my face and held my hand in his.

"How do you feel about this day, my love?" He asked.

I opened my mouth to speak, thinking of what Clara would have said if she were here. I was still overwhelmed, so I told him the truth, "I am just overwhelmed."

"Why is that? You didn't believe me when I told you I would marry you and no one else. I love you, Clara, and I meant every word I used to confess my feelings. So you don't have to be afraid, thinking this marriage is a trap. I will always support your modeling career. How about your twin sister? I didn't see her at the wedding."

Jace looked at my face lovingly, and I knew this was the right time to tell him I am not Clara, his woman. But I recalled my father's warning that Jace would deal with all of us if he found out Clara fled before her wedding day.

"Clara," he called my sister's name, and I snapped out of it, reminding myself that my new name was Clara.

"Yes. Celine traveled to help me cover for my modeling shoot abroad. You know I told you it means so much to me. So she had to travel in my place, and that's why she couldn't attend our wedding," I faked a smile and met Jace's gaze. His black, curious eyes held my blue orbs, and he smiled.

"Alright. I know you said your sister normally covers for you, but you should have allowed her to attend our wedding at least," Jace said, drawing closer to me at the rear as he kissed my neck.

I gulped hard and said, "It doesn't change anything. So long as I am here with you."

"I know, but a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime day. You shouldn't have sent Celine away. Maybe after our wedding, she could have traveled. You never let me meet your sister, you know," Jace spoke once more.

My jaw dropped, and I looked at his handsome face in shock. I recalled that each time Clara asked me to accompany her to her boyfriend's house, I refused.

"Yes. You don't have to worry about Celine. She will meet you once she is back," I lied.

"How about her bakery shop? I haven't gone there, but you said she has a shop. Wouldn't her bakery goods spoil or experience temporary losses now that she traveled for your modeling?" Jace looked concerned about me.

I felt bad that I had spoken so badly about him before when he was a gentleman despite his wealth. I had thought of him as an arrogant billionaire and was similarly angry because my parents rejected me from marrying Martin Enzo, my boyfriend.

"About Celine's shop, I will go there for her until she returns to take over her business," I told Jace as the car pulled to a stop at the reception venue—a magnificent white hotel in the city.

"Can you cook?" Jace asked in shock, and I smiled.

"I can try," I lied, knowing Clara hated the kitchen and didn't like to cook.

"Alright." Jace agreed and said, "We have arrived. Let's go in."

I sighed and got out of the car with him as we went into the hotel for the wedding reception.

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The wedding reception ceremony was lit and more crowded than I expected. Media crews recorded us, and many top celebrities attended, congratulating Jace and me.

They obviously thought I was my famous sister, and I had to pretend I was her, wondering how Clara was faring abroad.

How did Clara feel seeing me take her place as the bride? It was not like I snatched Jace—Clara was the one who put me in this tight situation to marry her fiancé.

Jace and I were invited onto the stage by the MC to cut the huge white cake that had almost eight layers. I smiled, knowing I was the one who baked this lovely cake for my sister's wedding. My best friend, Ava Kingsley, was present as my assistant to help me ice the cake and make it ready for the reception.

"Three, two, one, go!" The MC squealed, and Jace held my right hand gently as he sliced the cake in two.

Once we cut the cake, the audience erupted in applause, and I wanted to step away from Jace because I was still overwhelmed. At times, it felt like I was the one getting married. But then, I am not the real bride—Clara was.

Jace wrapped his arms around my waist as the DJ changed the music to a love song, and the MC invited us onto the stage once more to dance while guests cheered and brought numerous gifts and checks.

I felt so nervous—I hadn't expected this kind of elaborate wedding. How could Clara give up her wedding day for work? I shut my eyes, but I felt Jace bring his face closer to mine and whisper in my left ear.

"Open your eyes, Clara."

My eyes snapped open once he looked at me. I hadn't expected the ceremony to be this way. I wasn't the media type of person; I mostly lay low, and now I was a public figure. The lavish wedding made me sick because I knew it was fake.

I felt quite emotional, and Jace pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead tenderly.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and Jace whispered in my ear again, "What's wrong, babe? Should we go home? If you're tired of the reception, you should let me know."

"No. I am okay," I smiled at him sadly, knowing this was supposed to be him and Clara's happy day.

I tried not to think of what the future held for us, as I didn't even know when Clara would be back.

I promised myself not to fall in love with my sister's fiancé. He was her husband now, so I tried to dance and act like I am Clara. Besides, the wedding was Clara weds Jace, and now Celine weds Jace. But he was so kind that I don't think my sister deserves him. An honest woman does—not me or her.

The wedding ceremony came to an end, and Jace took me back to the black Limousine and said, "We are going for our honeymoon, babe. Happy marriage to us!"

Jace brought out a bottle of champagne drink from the car's fridge and popped it open.

*Oh no! I don't drink champagne,* I thought. Well, for my sister's sake, I had to sacrifice and do what her husband wanted.