THE BILLIONAIRE CHOSE THE WRONG BRIDE

Chapter 1 Elena's POV The worst day of my life began with the same words every bride dreams of hearing and every lady one earth wish was said to them on their special day. "You look beautiful." My best friend, Sophie, smiled at me through the reflection in the dressing room mirror as she adjusted the veil resting on my shoulders while I could barely recognized the woman staring back at me. The white gown hugged my figure perfectly showcasing all my curves at the right place, the delicate lace sleeves ending just above my wrists. Every pearl had been sewn on by hand. By me. I couldn't afford a designer wedding dress, so I had stayed up for weeks everyday after work, sketching, cutting, sewing, and stitching every piece myself. It wasn't just a dress. It was a promise. A promise to myself that no matter how difficult life had been, today would mark a new beginning. I smiled through the tears gathering in my eyes. "Do I really look okay?" Sophie rolled her eyes dramatically. "Okay? Elena, Ethan is going to forget how to breathe when he sees you." I laughed softly. "I hope so." I had loved Ethan Brooks for four years. Four years of cheap dinners, shared dreams, late–night phone calls, and promises whispered under the stars. He wasn't rich. Neither was I. But that never mattered. Or at least... I thought it didn't. A knock sounded on the dressing–room door brought me back from my thoughts. "It's almost time," the wedding coordinator announced. My heart skipped. This was it. The one event that will lead to a lifetime together. I took one last look in the mirror. "Mom..." I whispered to the woman who wasn't there anymore. "I wish you could see me today." She had died when I was sixteen. Since then, my father had remarried, and nothing in our home had ever felt the same. My stepmother never hid the fact that I wasn't welcome while my stepsister, Chloe, treated every achievement of mine like a competition she had to win. Still, today wasn't about them. Today was about Ethan and me. Or so I believed. The church decorations was breathtaking as rows of white roses lined the aisle. Soft piano music floated through the air. Guests smiled warmly as I appeared at the entrance. I tightened my grip on the bouquet. The doors slowly opened and everyone stood to take a look at the bride. My heart pounded so loudly that I could barely hear the music. And that was when I saw him. Ethan. Standing at the altar in his black tuxedo in which he looked handsome. But I could feel something was wrong. He was not smiling. Not even a little. I frowned. 'Maybe he was nervous,' I thought to myself. I took my first step. Then another. Every step brought me closer to the future I had dreamed about. Halfway down the aisle, I noticed people whispering. Some looked confused. Others looked uncomfortable. One woman even covered her mouth. Why? My smile slowly faded as I reached the altar. "Ethan..." I whispered. He didn't meet my eyes. Instead he took a deep breath and reached for the microphone which made my stomach tightened wondering what was going on. "I have something to say." The church fell silent. He finally looked at me but I could see there was no warmth in his eyes. Only guilt. "I'm sorry, Elena. I can't marry you." The bouquet slipped from my hands. "What...?" The flowers scattered across the white floor. "I've fallen in love with someone else." The words echoed through the church like thunder. I stared at him. Certain I had misheard. "This... isn't funny." "I'm serious." Every guest watched in stunned silence. My knees weakened. "Ethan..." "We have been together for four years." "I know." "Then why?" He looked away. "Because I love Chloe." My world stopped. No. Not Chloe. Not my stepsister. Slowly, a side door opened. And there she was wearing a white wedding dress. My wedding dress. The second gown I had designed months ago but hidden before the ceremony. My breath caught. "How..." Chloe smiled sweetly as she walked toward Ethan. "Thanks for making it." She slipped her arm through his. "I didn't think you'd actually come." Laughter erupted from a few guests. I felt every pair of eyes on me as humiliation burned through my chest. My stepmother stood from the front row with a satisfied smile. "Oh, Elena." "You've always been too ordinary for Ethan." My father lowered his head. He didn't say a single word. Not one. That hurt even more. Ethan looked at me one last time. "I'm sorry. I hope one day you'll understand." I laughed. Not because anything was funny. Because my heart had just shattered. "You stole my future..." My voice trembled. "And you expect me to understand?" No one answered. I slowly removed my engagement ring. Walked forward. And placed it in Ethan's hand. "You don't deserve it." Then I turned around. I didn't cry. Not yet. I simply walked. One step. Then another. Until I pushed open the church doors and stepped into the pouring rain. The sky wept for me but I refused to at least not in front of them. As I reached the bottom of the church steps, a sleek black luxury car rolled to a stop before me. A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit stepped out, holding a large black umbrella. His sharp features were unreadable while hhis presence was commanding as he walked directly toward me. Then, to my complete shock, he stopped in front of me and said, "Miss Elena Hart?" I blinked. "...Yes?" He bowed his head slightly. "My employer has been looking for you. He would like to ask you one question." I frowned. "What question?" The man stepped aside for the rear door of the luxury car to open and a deep, calm male voice came from inside. "Will you marry me?"