Substitute Bride; My Husband's Mistakes

CHAPTER 2

The following morning, I awoke in my room and went into my twin sister’s room to prepare for the wedding.

I hadn’t thought this day would arrive. I was helping my famous sister cover up so the guests would believe I was her.

After my bath, I donned a long white wedding dress that swept the ground as I walked. The makeup artist arrived and painted my face with heavy makeup. I hated to say this, but I don’t like makeup.

I sat there and allowed them to transform me into my sister’s preferred choice of wedding dress—the one that left my bare back exposed and my breasts on full display.

This is not the wedding day I had dreamt of. I was helping my twin sister stand in as the bride while she was actually alive and modelling in another state.

“Mmm,” I sighed once the makeup artists were done. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and could not believe the stunning woman staring back at me.

Soon my father arrived, dressed in a tailored black suit and shoes. He asked me, “Are you ready, Clara? You look so beautiful.”

I saw the proud smile on my father’s face. He was seeing me as Clara, his most treasured daughter, and not Celine, the one who wanted to marry a pauper.

I shut my eyes and mimicked my twin sister’s composure—the way she smiled with a wide grin on her face.

“Yes, Dad,” I replied, stretching the smile further. I wondered how long I could put up with this act.

“Let’s go.” My father escorted me downstairs, and I saw the sleek black Bentley waiting to take me to the wedding.

I hadn’t sat in a Bentley before, so I was nervous. I am not my sister, who travels from one location to another, going on numerous vacations with her wealthy boyfriend sponsoring all her trips.

We sat in eerie silence as the driver started the car and drove us down to the wedding venue.

I felt nervous as the car ride continued until we reached the big church where the wedding was held.

I sucked in a deep breath of fresh air as I got out of the car. The lined-up bridesmaids welcomed me by spreading red flowers as I stepped down.

This was an elite wedding. My father held my left hand tenderly and escorted me into the church, which was packed with top-notch guests.

My heartbeat grew louder in my chest with each step I took into the church, nearing the altar where Clara’s fiancé, Jace Augustus, stood.

Jace was a tall, attractive, dark-skinned man. Clara was so lucky to have him.

Jace was still a single and hot bachelor at thirty-five years old. He was not a man to mess with.

Seeing him standing close as my father and I finally arrived at the altar, Dad handed me over to Jace for the priest to join us in holy matrimony.

I felt nervous, like I was going to faint at any moment. Jace smiled and took off my veil to reveal my face to him.

I gulped hard and recalled that I am not Clara—I must act like her.

How would Clara have reacted on her own wedding day? Excited? Emotional? Or casual? I didn’t know, but I smiled widely so that Jace wouldn’t think otherwise as his dark eyes looked into mine for a brief moment.

I grinned wider so that Jace wouldn’t think I am not his woman. I heard from Clara that Jace had never cheated on her, despite his influence and how many women wanted him.

Jace was very handsome and looked like a Greek god as he stood there towering above me.

Clara and I were average height, and thanks to the heels she had chosen for me to wear—this was her preferred wedding dress and shoes—not mine.

“Can we start the union?” The priest’s voice brought us back to reality. Jace stepped back while the priest recited the prayers and joined us as one.

“Do you, Clara Mason, take Jace Augustus to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

I looked at my twin sister’s fiancé’s face—the man about to become my husband. If only he knew that I wasn’t Clara, his woman.

Jace smiled, wanting me to say “I do,” as he saw that I looked so hesitant to say the words to him.

The priest continued, “Do you promise to love and obey him, and to be faithful to him, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” I replied, shutting my blue eyes, unable to meet Jace’s face. Then the priest asked Jace the same question.

“Do you, Jace Augustus, take Clara Mason to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

“I do,” Jace replied. The priest asked him once more, “Do you promise to love and cherish her, and to be faithful to her, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Jace smiled, looking at me like I am his real bride. He looked genuinely happy to be wedded to me, thinking I was my twin sister.

“I now pronounce you both man and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the priest concluded just as Jace and I recited our vows and wore the wedding rings.

I felt hesitant to wear his ring—the one that symbolizes love, trust, and commitment. I cannot believe I was doing this, acting like a movie replacement for my twin sister.

Jace slid the diamond ring onto my left finger. I shut my eyes as he pulled me closer and sealed his lips on mine, not caring whether I desired the kiss or not.

His lips claimed mine, kissing me tenderly at first, as the hall erupted in a round of applause. Well-wishers screamed “Happy married life” to us.

Jace pulled away from the kiss after a while of kissing my lips fervently and gazed into my eyes like he already suspected that I wasn’t his bride.

We took pictures with his parents, who were excited about the wedding, and also with my parents. I stood there anxiously, taking several photos with the priest, my parents, Jace’s parents, the bridesmaid, and the best man.

Lily, my sister’s best friend, was the bridesmaid. I wondered if she knew that I was taking Clara’s place. But I was sure Clara never told anyone of her plans. Lily hugged me excitedly and squealed, “Congratulations, Clara! I am so happy for you!”

“Thank you.” We took more wedding pictures in the church hall until Jace held my hand closely and kissed my lips once more.

“Come on, my wife. You don’t have to act shy like this is the first time we are kissing. Let’s go for our wedding reception.” Jace lifted me off the ground, and I felt stunned as he carried me away in that firm arms.

I wanted to tell him that I am not Clara. This has to stop. Should I tell him the truth or continue to act as my sister’s replacement?

I shut my eyes, inhaling Jace’s cologne. He had a relaxing aroma.