Selfless bride

CHAPTER 2

Emily's heart raced as she looked at Martin, a mixture of confusion and disbelief in her eyes. Martin's expression mirrored hers, a crease of worry forming on his forehead.

The groom's family exchanged uncomfortable glances, their faces reflecting a blend of embarrassment and concern. Whispers began to snake through the crowd like a gentle breeze, adding to the atmosphere of unease that hung in the air.

In the midst of the stir, the young woman continued her purposeful stride, undeterred by the weight of judgmental gazes that bore into her.

The invited guests shifted in their seats, some with raised eyebrows, others with crossed arms that projected their disapproval. The women's movement was a stark contrast against the backdrop of the ornate church, as if she had emerged from a different world altogether.

With each step, the distance between the woman and the altar diminished. Finally, she reached the front pew, her demeanour calm and composed.

She found a seat, her gaze fixed ahead, a slight smile playing on her lips. The officiating clergy, baffled and intrigued, addressed her.

"Excuse me, young lady. Can you please explain the reason for your unexpected movement?"

The woman turned her gaze towards the officiant, her voice clear and unflinching. "I couldn't hear from where I was sitting behind. That's why I moved to the front pew."

The room erupted in a flurry of reactions. Laughter mingled with disbelief, and some couldn't help but shake their heads at the unexpected turn of events.

Emily's initial confusion softened into a bemused smile, and even Martin's worry seemed to dissipate as he let out a nervous chuckle. The woman's candid response brought a sense of lightheartedness to the tension that had gripped the space.

"Well then, let us proceed," he announced, his words punctuated by a chuckle that spread through the room like a contagion.

"In the presence of these witnesses, and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, Emily and Martin, husband and wife."

A wave of emotion swept through the room, a mixture of joy, relief, and celebration. The tension that had momentarily hung in the air dissipated like morning mist under the warmth of the sun.

Emily and Martin exchanged heartfelt glances, their eyes conveying a depth of feeling that words alone could not capture.

As they exchanged rings, their eyes locked, and Emily felt a mixture of vulnerability and determination.

"Martin, you may now kiss the bride," the officiant concluded with a warm smile.

The officiant's closing words reverberated through the air, marking the end of the ceremony.

As Martin leaned in to kiss Emily, she closed her eyes, trying to absorb the moment and the whirlwind of emotions she was experiencing.

The applause and cheers of their guests surrounded them, but in that instant, it felt as if they were the only two people in the world.

The reception that followed was a grand affair, filled with laughter, music, and celebration. Emily observed Martin closely, his interactions with their guests, his genuine smiles, and the way he carried himself with grace and humility.

Despite the circumstances that had led them here, she couldn't help but notice the kind and compassionate man he was.

As the evening progressed, Emily found herself dancing with Martin once again. The music played softly, and the atmosphere was one of joy.

She dared to steal glances at him, and every time their eyes met, a mixture of emotions surged within her.

As the reception continued, Emily skillfully concealed the guilt that gnawed at her. She danced, laughed, and engaged with their guests, all the while keeping her thoughts hidden beneath a façade of happiness. Martin's kindness and warmth were genuine, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of remorse for her initial intentions.

Throughout the evening, Martin's attentiveness never wavered. He made sure Emily was comfortable and engaged, and his presence was a comforting anchor in the midst of the grand affair. However, she found herself struggling to look him in the eyes for too long, fearing that her guilt would be laid bare for him to see.

Emily and Martin found themselves stealing a moment of solitude away from the crowd. They stood by a window, the soft glow of moonlight casting a gentle illumination over the room.

Martin turned to her, his eyes searching hers. "Emily, are you okay? You seem distant."

She offered a small smile, attempting to mask her inner turmoil. "I'm fine, Martin. Just a little overwhelmed by everything."

He reached for her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. "You know you can talk to me, right?" Within him he knew although this was a contract marriage, he needed to win Emily’s confidence for his own safety.

Emily's heart raced at the seeming sincerity in his voice. She nodded, her gaze shifting away. "I know. I appreciate that."

She sincerely wished at this moment that she never had met Michael in her life.

“How I wish this was the man I met three years ago instead of that devil’s incarnate” She regretted within her.

“If only we had met and built our lives together like I did with Michael before he ungratefully shattered me, I wouldn’t have had any cause to deceive this man, he is too lovable” Emily involuntarily continued talking within her heart, not knowing that Martin was only watching his own back.

Martin tilted her chin gently, prompting her to meet his eyes. "Emily, I want you to feel comfortable with me. Our marriage is built on trust, and that includes being open about our feelings." He ‘innocently’ declared, doing his best to get her to open up.

Martin felt something was off but could not just place it, so he really wanted to cajole Emily into opening up.

She swallowed hard, the weight of her secret bearing down on her. "I know, Martin. It's just... a lot to process."

He searched her eyes, deceitful concern evident. "If there's something you're not telling me, I want you to know that you can confide in me." He finally let his heart bare

Emily's heart ached at his genuine concern. She was convinced but could not unveil her secrets. She managed a shaky smile. "Thank you, Martin. I'll keep that in mind."

He squeezed her hand gently. "Good. Because I want us to be partners in this, in every sense."

As the reception came to an end, Emily found herself standing on the balcony with Martin once again. The city lights stretched before them, a silent reminder of the complexities of their journey.

At this point she felt a strong compulsion to give Martin some assurances and alley his fears.

"Martin," she began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to put up the sincerest face as possible, hoping to prey on Martin’s seeming gullibility.

He turned to her; his eyes soft, deceit meeting deceit. "Yes, Emily?"

She hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. "I just want you to know that I'm committed to making this work. Our marriage, our life together. I will stick to my own part of the contract."

Martin smiled, a mixture of gratitude and understanding in his eyes. "I'm glad to hear that, Emily. I'm committed too."

She bit her lip, struggling with the weight of her secret.

As the wedding night grew deeper, Emily's heart continued to boil with conflicting emotions as they stepped into their luxurious honeymoon suite.

She had meticulously planned this moment, wanting to seal her plans in a way that would ensure her pregnancy was attributed to Martin.

As she looked at him, she saw the man who had been nothing but kind to her, and her guilt intensified. However, she was determined to see her scheme through.

As they stood near the window, the moonlight casting a soft glow around the room, Emily mustered a nervous smile. "Martin, this is a beautiful place."

He turned to her, his eyes warm and affectionate. "It is. And sharing it with you makes it even more special."

Emily's heart skipped a beat. She took a step closer, her gaze locked with his. "Martin, I want tonight to be unforgettable."

His smile deepened, his attraction to her evident. "Emily, every moment with you has been unforgettable."

She reached out, her fingers lightly grazing his chest. "I want to make you happy, Martin."

His breath caught, desire flickering in his eyes. "Emily, you already make me happy."

Her fingers trailed lower, and she felt his rapid heartbeat beneath her touch. "I want to make you feel desired."

Martin's gaze darkened with passion, his voice husky. "Emily..."

She leaned in, her lips brushing against his. His response was immediate, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her close.

As their lips met in a searing kiss, Emily's mind was torn between her intentions and the very real connection she felt with Martin. She let her desires take over, allowing herself to get lost in the moment.

Their kisses grew more urgent, their hands exploring each other's bodies with a hunger that was hard to deny. Emily's mind raced, torn between her guilt and her growing arousal. She knew that this was the moment she had planned for, the moment that could seal her intentions.

As they moved towards the bed, Emily's heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and guilt. She had to remind herself of her plan, of the reasons she had set out on this path. But as Martin's hands roamed her body, igniting a fire within her, it became increasingly difficult to keep her focus.