His Vow

Episode 2

The whispers increased.

“Isn't that the bride…?”

“I don't think that's the bride…”

“Did his supposed bride run away?”

“Was she kidn*pped?”

“Is that lady there an imposter?”

“What's going on?”

People leaned over to ask each other what was going on. And soon, all one could hear was the little gasps and murmurs from all corners of the room.

Gaining his consciousness and observing the hall in one glance, Ethan felt it. The tension was palpable. Everyone has begun to sense that something was wrong. And if he didn't do something really fast, he was going to lose the very reason he agreed to this trash in the first place. But where the heck was his bride? Even he wondered what happened to the lady he had known just a few weeks ago would be his bride. Was she so scared of him that she thought to run away and exchange with this stalker? Or was she paid by this stalker to do this? Or…. wait! Was she kidn*pped? A million thoughts ran through his mind, as he stood there looking at his stalker.

But then, this was wrong timing. He needed to face the elephant in the room. Ethan’s mind worked fast. He could not let this turn into a scene. Not at this occasion and definitely, not in front of the investors, the lawyers, and all the high-profile people sitting in the front rows. His father’s company had quite the prestige. So he understood what a scandal at his own wedding could cause. The struggles he would have to go through defending and fighting for the company. It could ruin everything! So he needed to act fast. But more importantly, act now.

So he forced himself to smile. It wasn’t real. But it felt real enough for people to see from their seats. No one needed to know it wasn't. Seeing a wide smile was just enough. Then, without warning, he pulled Hannah closer, who equally gasped in shock but was smart enough to cooperate quickly.

“Your beauty put me on a hold,” he said loudly, almost like an announcement. He made sure his voice was loud enough even though his eyes were focused on his stalker. He made sure everyone heard.

Putting on a smile too, because Hannah could even respond, Ethan leaned in and kissed her. It wasn’t a slow, romantic kiss. It was quick but intentional. Intentional enough to send a clear message. A message that clearly read, “This is my bride, and everything is fine.” And he was grateful his father had decided to make it small. So they didn't need to do a photoshoot. So his crowd weren't expecting a particular bride. They just wanted to see the bride. He didn't know about that of his in-laws but it really didn't matter because only Clara's dad was at the event.

Mr. Tomland, Clara's dad looked on with shock and disgust as he watched the whole drama. He understood what was at play. But unfortunately, he also had to play along. Jonah was the most confused about the situation. This wasn't the daughter of Tomland he had bargained for his son. Had Tomland scammed him? What sort of joke was that? But, even he was shocked to see the lady too.

He also understood what his son did and despite the chaos he was trying to unravel, he was grateful he had a smart son. A son who was smart enough to understand the danger and risk this could cause the company and came to the rescue knowing the other issues could be settled behind the lenses of the camera. He was also grateful to his starts that they hadn't done a photoshoot before this day. So he kept on watching like the crowd. Hoping to understand what just transpired, later. Mr. Tomland did have a lot of explanations to make.

The crowd seemed confused. Some guests glanced at each other as if asking silently, “Wait, what just happened?” For a moment, there was no movement or reaction. And Ethan's heart raced faster, hoping his show wasn't blown off.

Then, from somewhere at the back, someone clapped. And another joined. And soon another joined. And within seconds, others joined in. The clapping grew louder, and soon the whole room erupted in applause.

Ethan’s smile widened in relief. He was satisfied for a moment. The crowd had bought his trick. But then again, how was he going to handle what his life has become? Within him, he was anything but calm. His nerves raged ferociously. But he just had to keep playing, just playing along for the crowd. This was more about saving his face. About making sure no one left that wedding with a story that could destroy the company.

The rest of the ceremony passed on like nothing bizarre almost occurred. The priest continued with the blessing of the couple and ensuring every document was signed. And ensuring all these occurred before presenting the couple to the crowd seated expectantly. They cheered in response and the party began, while the newly married couple walked out of the hall together, hand in hand. Cameras kept flashing to take their pictures and everyone wore a wide smile as they saw them dance out of the hall. On the surface, it was a perfect wedding. But behind the smiles, a heavy storm raged in Ethan's head.

After the formalities, Ethan, his father, and Clara’s father didn’t waste time. They dragged Hannah into one of the smaller rooms in the hotel. They had booked the entire place for the event. A room where there were no cameras or smiling and expectant guests to impress.

Ethan shut the door behind them. His jaw was tight. “Now,” he said, his voice low but sharp, “you’re going to explain what just happened.”

Hannah didn’t look shaken. In fact, she sat back in her chair, crossed her legs, and spoke as if she had been expecting this moment.

“Clara’s chief bridesmaid came to me before the ceremony,” she began, in a calm voice. She had taken her time to analyze what her reply would be. “She said Clara had disappeared. She wasn’t in the dressing room. No one could find her.”

The two fathers exchanged quick glances. Ethan frowned. “And?”

“And,” Hannah continued, “I knew what this would mean for the family. For the company. Imagine the shame of the bride running away on her wedding day, in front of all those people.” She paused for effect, letting her words sink in. “So I stepped in.”

“You just ‘stepped in’?” Ethan asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

“Yes,” Hannah said, tilting her chin up slightly. “And before you say anything, there’s something you should know. I’m pregnant. With your child.”

The words felt heavy. So heavy that at first, no one reacted as the words took its time to sink into the hearers. A heavy silence hung in the air. And then, Ethan's father’s face went pale, as he turned to look at his son, hoping for an explanation. Clara’s father looked as if someone had just poured cold water over him.

Ethan, however, laughed. It was a short, sharp, humorless laugh. “That’s a lie.”

Hannah didn’t flinch. “Then do a test,” she said, looking him straight in the eye. “If I’m lying, the test will prove it. But if I’m telling the truth, then you’ll know exactly why I did what I did. I decided to kill two birds with a stone. Step in for my sister and hide my family's shame. And also, get the father of my child to actually father his child.

Her tone was calm, almost too calm, as if she had rehearsed these words over and over.

The three men stood there, caught between shock and anger. Ethan’s father rubbed his forehead. Clara’s father kept pacing the room, as his head raced with a lot of thoughts. His shoes made “kpo-kpo” sounds as they clicked against the floor.

Finally, Ethan spoke. “Fine. We’ll do a test.”

“Good,” Hannah replied simply.

Nobody said much after that. The tension was too thick. They all knew there would be a lot to deal with in the coming days. The missing bride, the sudden marriage, the pregnancy claim. But at that moment, there was one major problem. And that was the media. Reporters were already outside, waiting with their cameras. Any sign of trouble would be splashed across headlines by morning.

So Ethan swallowed his frustration and offered his arm to Hannah. “Let’s go,” he said flatly.

She smiled, fixing her arm around him. And maintaining that same controlled, almost smug smile she had worn during the ceremony, they walked out together. They needed to look like the perfect couple.

Together, they walked out of the room and into the waiting crowd. To the cameras, they were a happy couple leaving their wedding. To the guests, they were husband and wife. But to the few people who knew the truth, it was nothing but a performance.

They posed for photos and kept waving at the cheering crowd. They even managed a few polite nods and smiles. But deep down, Ethan knew this was only the beginning of trouble. One he didn't know if he would afford.