A WEDDING DISASTER

The Wedding Day

Alice and Damian were not a couple in love. They weren’t two people who chose to make sacred vows out of their own free will. They were trapped in a power game far bigger than themselves.

Damian Blackwell was no ordinary man. His family was a pillar of the nation’s business world. Blackwell Enterprises was a financial empire that had its grip on multiple industries—technology, real estate, and investment. The Blackwells weren’t just wealthy; they were key players in the grand stage of power.

And in a world like this, reputation was everything.

A scandal like this could not be ignored.

Since the news broke that night, Blackwell Enterprises' stock had plummeted. Investors started to hesitate. Shareholders began questioning whether Damian—the heir to it all—was truly fit to lead.

One mistake—one crack in their perfect image—could bring everything crashing down.

And that was something Theodore Blackwell would never allow.

He was more than just a businessman. He was a feared figure in the corporate world, a man who controlled an extensive network of power. He wasn’t just a CEO—he was a king, one who could not be disgraced.

So there was only one solution: Marriage.

Alice, a girl who was a nobody compared to them, had to play her role to protect the Blackwell name.

"If this doesn’t happen, everything falls apart."

That was what Theodore had told Damian before the ceremony began.

"""

Alice stood in front of the massive mirror in the silent preparation room, staring at her reflection with an empty gaze. There, she saw someone she never imagined she would become—a bride. The shimmering white gown draped over her figure with effortless elegance, but beneath its beauty lay nothing but pain and reluctance. This marriage might just be a contract, but under the glaring eyes of the media and the public, it was as real as it could be.

Taking a deep breath, Alice whispered to herself, "I never thought I'd end up here." Her mind screamed in protest, but she knew there was no turning back.

The heavy silence of the room was interrupted as the door slowly creaked open. A familiar presence stepped in—cold, unforgiving. Evelyn. Her face remained unreadable, but her eyes burned with pure hatred. She walked towards Alice with a quiet grace, yet every step carried the weight of something darker.

"I hope you never find happiness," Evelyn murmured, her voice low but sharp enough to cut. "You stole what was meant to be mine, and I pray that every second of your life is filled with regret."

Alice held her gaze, her heart pounding wildly. Evelyn’s words were poison, meant to break her, to shatter what little strength she had left. But she remained silent, swallowing back the pain, even as her soul screamed for justice.

A soft knock at the door interrupted the suffocating tension. A makeup artist peeked in, her voice gentle but firm. "Miss, it's almost time."

Reality crashed down on Alice.

She took a shaky breath and turned to Evelyn, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn’t choose this, but I have to survive. I have to find a way out."

Evelyn’s expression didn’t change, but her silence spoke volumes. "You're already trapped, and you’ll remain trapped for the rest of your life."

Outside, murmurs of guests filled the grand hall. The media had swarmed the estate, cameras flashing, capturing every moment of this scandalous union.

Alice stepped out of the preparation room, her movements slow, calculated. The staff surrounding her avoided eye contact, offering no words of comfort.

In the main waiting room, Damian was already there—calm, composed, unreadable. His dark eyes concealed the storm raging within him. Today wasn’t just about signing a contract; it was about protecting secrets that had bound them together since that fateful night.

He glanced at Alice, his expression unreadable. "We've come this far. There's no turning back now." His voice was rough, but steady. "We stick to the plan. Remember, this is just on paper. Nothing changes between us."

Alice bit her lip, her eyes glistening. "I know," she replied shortly, masking the storm in her heart. But deep inside, something was shifting. This might be a forced marriage, but she was determined to uncover the truth—no matter the cost.

The doors to the wedding hall finally opened, revealing a grand spectacle. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above, a red carpet stretched down the aisle, and guests sat with curious, eager faces, waiting to witness the climax of this scandal.

Just before they stepped inside, Damian reached for Alice’s hand—firm, but not unkind. Leaning in, he whispered, "Remember, this is just a formality." His breath was warm against her ear. "We play their game now. But one day, we’ll find the truth behind all this."

Alice met his gaze, searching for a glimmer of hope beneath his hardened exterior.

"I hope you’re right," she murmured back, her voice soft, but filled with quiet determination.

**

Alice stood beside Damian, their hands barely touching—there was no warmth between them. At the altar, the officiant began reciting the wedding vows, while the relentless flashes of cameras illuminated their faces.

Every eye in the room watched the grand lie they were about to seal.

But this wasn’t just some family drama. This wedding had to happen.

And in the middle of it all, there was Evelyn.

Seated in the front row, wearing a black dress that clashed with the pristine white wedding décor, Evelyn made no effort to hide her fury. Her gaze was cold, burning with unmasked hatred.

To Evelyn, this was an unforgivable betrayal.

Damian looked at Alice with an unreadable expression. To him, she was just another piece in this game—someone who had to stand beside him to fix the chaos that had unraveled.

The officiant continued speaking, but Alice barely heard any of it. Only one question cut through the noise.

"Do you, Damian Blackwell, take Alice to be your wife?"

Damian didn’t hesitate. "I do."

Alice felt her stomach drop.

Then the officiant turned to her. "And do you, Alice?"

The room fell into a heavy silence. Alice could hear her own breathing—shallow, uneven.

Evelyn’s piercing gaze bore into her from across the aisle. Damian waited with cold patience.

Her father refused to meet her eyes. Her mother clutched her own hands, trembling.

And then, in her mind, she heard Damian’s voice.

"Marry me… or face your own ruin."

With a voice barely above a whisper, Alice finally spoke.

"I do."

The cameras flashed again.

And just like that, the world believed in their perfect love story.