The Unwanted Marriage

Chapter 4

Days and weeks seemed to slip away in the blink of an eye. My dad was improving, thankfully but he still couldn’t stand on his own. For now, the wheelchair remained his constant companion.

And finally, the day I had been both dreading and dreaming of was here: my wedding day.

The morning sunlight streamed through the towering stained-glass windows of the chapel, fracturing into shards of ruby and sapphire that danced across the polished marble floor. The heavy scent of jasmine and fresh roses filled the air, intoxicating and electric. It was the day Alice had dreaded and anticipated in equal measure, the day she would marry Edward, a man she barely knew but had promised herself to. A man whose cold touch had somehow ignited a fire deep inside her.

Today is my wedding day, a day every woman dreams of. A grand wedding. A white dress. A love story though mine hadn't exactly followed the script.

I sat before the vanity mirror in the bridal suite, staring at my reflection as a makeup artist carefully swept shimmering gold shadow onto my eyelids. The dress hugged every curve of my body like it had been made for me alone, the corseted bodice embroidered with pearls and the flowing skirt spilling like ivory waves to the floor. I looked like a bride. But inside, I wasn’t sure who I was anymore.

“Alice.”

I turned at the sound of Clara’s voice, and she stepped into the room like sunlight itself, eyes wide with awe. She clasped her hands over her mouth for a moment, speechless.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, lowering her hands slowly. “You look… breathtaking. That dress it’s like it was woven by angels.”

I'm sure that everyone's gaze will be on you alone especially, the groom. She complimented me.

Despite the knot in my chest, a small smile curved my lips. “Thank you,” I said softly, blinking back the well of tears that threatened to rise.

Clara crossed the room in quick steps and enveloped me in a gentle hug, careful not to smudge the carefully done makeup. “I know this hasn’t been easy,” she whispered into my ear, “but I’ve never seen you look so beautiful. So… brave.”

“I don’t feel brave,” I admitted, my voice barely audible. “I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something I don’t understand.”

Clara pulled back and met my gaze in the mirror. “Then jump with your eyes open. Who knows what you might find on the other side.”

She stayed with me as I finished getting ready, helping to fasten the delicate veil into my hair, securing the diamond earrings that shimmered like frost in candlelight, and finally slipping my mother’s bracelet around my wrist a final touch of comfort and memory.

****

The chapel was already packed by the time I stepped out from behind the great wooden doors, my father at my side in his wheelchair, his eyes glassy with emotion.

“I never thought I’d get to see this day,” he whispered, squeezing my hand. “You’re so strong, Alice. Just like your mother.”

I swallowed hard, nodded once, and gave him a teary smile. “You’re here. That’s all that matters.”

Then the music began. Soft, romantic, the strings swelling as the double doors creaked open. All eyes turned to us.

I took one breath then another.

And then I walked.

The moment I stepped onto the white aisle runner, everything else faded. The guests were a blur of color and perfume, the whispered awe just a distant hum. My eyes found Edward at the altar.

And my breath caught in my throat.

He looked devastatingly handsome. Midnight-black tuxedo, fitted to perfection, the crisp white shirt beneath contrasting sharply with his olive skin. His jet-black hair was slicked back, and his jaw was tight, his dark eyes unreadable. But there was something in his gaze when it met mine that made my heart stutter.

There was heat. Possession. Hunger.

And something that terrified me even more.

Hope.

My heels clicked softly on the marble as I moved slowly forward. When I reached the altar, Edward extended his hand. I hesitated for the briefest second… then took it.

His fingers closed around mine firmly, and the warmth of his touch sent a shiver up my spine.

He took me towards the priest and with a cute smile on his face. The priest began the ceremony, his voice solemn. “Do you, Edward Aguas, take Alice Monroe to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” Edward said without hesitation, voice like a promise.

Do you promise to love her, cherish her, honor her, keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, for as long as you live?

“I do “, he said again without thinking twice.

“Alice Morone, do you take Edward Aguas to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

My throat tightened. “I do”,

Do you promise to love him, cherish him, honor him, keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, for as long as you live?

“I do”,

“By the power vested in me,” the priest declared, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

The words tasted bittersweet but real. When the priest pronounced them husband and wife, a collective breath seemed to be released in the chapel.

Edward didn’t wait for instruction.

He stepped forward, cupped my face with both hands, and pulled me in.

His lips met mine, and the world fell away. I didn't expect he would do it.

It wasn’t a polite kiss. It wasn’t gentle. It was a claim. A demand. A question and an answer all in one. His mouth moved against mine with raw intensity, his hand slipping to the small of my back to pull me flush against him. My fingers clutched at his lapel, and my knees nearly buckled under the heat of it all.

Somewhere, applause broke out. Whispers. Gasps.

The audience kept cheering on us.

But I didn’t hear them.

I only felt the warmth of his breath, the fire blooming in my chest, and the fact that for the first time in weeks, I didn’t feel afraid I felt alive.

When we finally broke apart, I was gasping softly, trying to collect myself. I turned slightly, blinking away tears before anyone could see them.

“Alice, my dear I am so glad that from now on, you're officially my daughter-in-law” Mr Damian cried while hugging me tightly.

Me too. “I'm glad I could help my dad” I cried too hugging him back tightly.

“Okay, just make sure you enjoy yourself here because I have some important guest to talk with, please, don't make things too hard on yourself” Mr Damian said as he turned to leave.

Beneath my breath, I let out a tiny sob soft enough that no one noticed. While Edward, who is now my husband was busy talking to the guests, I spotted my dad.

“Hi Dad” I kissed his warm cheeks.

Hello there, Mrs Aguas, he lets out a cute smirk.

I crouched beside my father’s wheelchair, savoring the warmth of his familiar presence.

Honey, “You looked beautiful like your mother today.” he said.

My heart ached. “I wish she could see this.”

“She does,” he said softly, tapping his chest. “Right here.”

Before I could answer, a sharp chill ran down my spine like the air had shifted. I stood, turning instinctively toward the source.

That’s when I saw her.

A woman in crimson, standing alone by the arched doorway. Pale, poised, eyes locked on Edward… with a look that could freeze fire.

Edward turned, saw her, and paled. His smile vanished.

Who was she? What is she doing here?

And why did the sight of her make my husband afraid?