Switched at Birth, Chosen by Fate

CHAPTER 4

~Chloe

Sharp breaths escaped my nostrils echoing in my ears more than the soft background music. My father took in my hands as he walked me down the aisle - very unusual.

No, strange.

His grip not too tightened nor loosened.

The heels suddenly felt like I've worn them for ages, making my toes and feet hurt. The physical pain was nothing close - nothing - to the emotional hurt that screamed it was here to stay.

My masked self hid my feelings but internally, I could hear my heart breaking. I thought I grew past it, but everytime it happened, I still crashed out.

My wedding day was nothing different, I wore a tight smile to brush it off.

No.

The smile remained on my lips, showing everyone that part of me that didn't exist - not even behind the doors.

I tried to steady my movements and avoid tripping off my long tailed wedding dress whirping behind me in the little wind.

His words bumped into my mind “ Don't disgrace us”. My fingers twitched at my side.

At that moment, it sounded more of a threat than an advice. My determination was not to embarrass myself too.

Hundred of eyes turned to me, making my skin crawl.

What were they admiring? My dress? Or some noticed my awkward smile?

I hate being the centre of attraction.

My mind rammed for the question, buried in my thoughts for a while.

We had settled for an outdoor white wedding, an aspect where my parents didn't interfere. The wedding wasn't in favour of them, the Astor's fished out everything.

Tristan stood beneath the white and green flower arc with the pastor, his gaze fixed on me. I stared back at him through my white lacy veils.

He offered me the widest smile, excitement dancing in his eyes. Like he won a lottery

When we walked to the front, my anxiety died down as though he was the solution to my problems.The hum of whispered conversations vanished into a vaccum.

My father handed me to Tristan, our eyes met and I couldn't look down. He was my bethroed, we were left without choices. It wasn’t an easy process - we learnt to love each other.

Just like two people stuck in a elevator, we decided to make a world out of it.

We weren't allowed to see or spend much time together. My father made excuses whenever his grandma wanted to see me. Only once in a while.

At first, I saw the marriage as an escape route, to finally get away from my family.

But before I knew it, it became real.

Tristan's status makes me feel intimidated, even though his family never let me see them that way.

He leant in and whispered, “I've waited so long for this day Chloe, I'm happy you'll finally be mine.” A smile spread on my lips. Natural. Unforced.

His expensive cologne filled my senses, almost flushing away my senses.

I wanted to stare at his face and avoid everybody else around - including my family. I couldn’t imagine the murderous glares they dashed at me or the wicked smiles that I'd finally left their house.

The pastor cleared his throat, yanking us out of our personal moment.

“Now, it's time to take the oath”

Tristan took in my hand, his thumb rubbed the back.

He could sense my nervousness. But it was more than that. Much more.

At that moment, it was just the both of us, against the wicked world.

“Chloe Winters, I'm not a perfect man but I would cross thousand seas to be the husband of your dream. I cannot promise you heaven because I'm not God but I'd make you the happiest woman on earth, till my last breathe. I love you now, always and forever.”

His words were supposed to move me more than they did. But a part of me was weak and dying.

They sounded real and whole hearted. But, I knew it wouldn't last longer.

His smile.

I never believed, one day, I could shatter him into pieces.

He stared into the hazel depth of my eyes. I could feel the wind kiss my face. The sound of the waves hitting the shore filled my ears.

The whole time, I prepared my voice and rehearsed internally, struggling not to embarrass myself. I might grab the microphone and burst into tears.

“Tristan Astor, I promise to be the wife you could ever dream of, always and forever.” I said, my voice softening at the edges.

In my mind, those words felt like a lie. A big fat lie.

From the top of his head, to his tattoos, to his neatly manicured fingers and on down to the tips of his toes, I stared at the man that'd beat all odds to be with me.

As minutes passed, my tension increased.

He wiped off a tear that I didn't even realise was there.

“You may kiss the bride” the pastor said.

He tilted up my chin and took my lips in. He tasted like mint, his warmth filling up my mouth.

Butterflies caused beautiful chaos in my tummy.

I couldn't remember how my kiss with the stranger felt. How he tasted? My brain didn't register.

I forced myself to look up.

Carrie sprung up, hissed and stormed out.

☆

“I know you're tired Chloe. I can prepare you a bath. The maids would unpack your luggages.” Tristan said, smiling with a flicker of worry in his eyes.

I sat at the foot of our bed, staring at him as he crouched in front of me.

I'd forced a smile each time he tried to ask or either change the topic. But at that point, I couldn't avoid him anymore.

“What's wrong?” His face dropped as he cupped my cheeks, scanning my eyes.

“I-I'm sorry” My voice cracked, tears building up in my eyes.

“What happened?” his brows furrowed in confusion.

I wanted to talk, then bursted into another cry.

“Carrie drugged me last night…I woke in another man's bed.”

“You did what?” His lips parted slightly.

His hands lingered on my ankle for a second , he looked up at me. His eyes turned dark and cold, i'd never seen him that way. He retracted his hand, stood up and moved to the window.

My heart tightened, urging a sense of panic to surge through my mind.

The words I expected were “This is over”.

Against my will, I'd be okay with it if he asked me to leave. Maybe I could be at peace with myself.

He turned to me, shaking his head in disbelief.

My face and neck wet with tears almost dripping on my wedding dress.

“I couldn't stop the wedding but we could still file a divorce. I'd happily leave Tristan. I'm sorry” I covered my mouth with my palm, silencing my cries.

My phone lit up with a notification

Carrie: Play this after the honeymoon (with an attached video)