6
1350 Words
Inside the ballroom, the chandeliers blazed, and every seat was filled.
A gentle, romantic wedding march played softly. The massive crystal chandeliers cast a dreamlike glow, and the air was thick with the rich seent of flowers and champagne. Everyone wore a smile, eagerly awaiting the grand opening of this high society union.
Preston stood at the altar at the end of the floral archway, his back to the entrance.
According to Linda’s plan to “add to the surprise“, he was supposed to wait until my father and I were right behind him before turning around.
Even from just his back, you could see how smug and self–satisfied he was in this moment.
His straight back, meticulously combed hair, and custom–tailored tuxedo all proclaimed him to be the undisputed star of the day.
He even turned his head slightly to whisper something to his best man, Trevor, who was standing just behind and to the side of him. Trevor immediately broke into a knowing, suggestive grin.
In the front row of the guest seating, Mr. and Mrs. Calloway wore proper smiles as they chatted quietly with Felicity, who sat beside them.
Felicity had clearly dressed up for the occasion. A soft pink dress made her look pure and innocent. She kept glancing up at Preston’s back, her eyes filled with a sweet and expectant look of someone who knows victory is within their grasp.
She was probably already imagining the climax of the music, when Preston would turn around and see me in my wedding dress, a look of “resigned” yet “doting” affection on his face, and how she would respond to him with a look of “patient” and “benevolent” blessing. In her mind, this was just a secret game between her and Preston, and I was nothing more than a pathetic prop about to be kicked out of it.
The emcee announced in a powerful, moving voice, “Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and family, please turn your attention to the gates of happiness and let us welcome, with the warmest round of applause, our most beautiful bride of the day–Miss Seraphina Hayes!”
Thunderous applause erupted.
The heavy double doors of the ballroom slowly swung open.
I appeared at the end of the petal–strewn aisle, holding my father’s arm.
My veil was a hazy blur, my gown trailed behind me. The spotlight instantly hit me, so bright I had to squint. I could feel gazes from all directions–some filled with awe, some with blessings, and perhaps… some from a certain corner, filled with malicious scrutiny.
My father’s arm was strong and steady. He gently patted the back of my hand and whispered, “Don’t be afraid, sweetie. Dad’s here.”
I nodded, tightened my grip on his arm, and took the first step.
My heels clicked steadily and firmly on the polished floor. On either side of the aisle were the smiling faces of friends and family. I could even see a few of my girlfriends who were in on the secret giving me a subtle thumbs–up.
My gaze traveled down the long aisle, landing squarely on the altar.
Preston still had his back to me. He could seem to feel the stares and applause from behind, and his shoulders relaxed slightly, the posture of a man completely at ease and in control.
And not far from his side, in the spot where the groom was supposed to wait–a spot that should have been empty–stood another man.
Silas.
12:45
Whoops, His Mistress Crashed Our Wedding. Mine Didn’t
35.7%
Chapter 6
Somehow, he had already quietly taken his position. He stood as straight as a pine tree, his calm gaze meeting mine. Our eyes locked across the room, a silent exchange of strength and understanding.
The music slowly swelled to its crescendo.
Step by step, my father and I walked the length of the short aisle, finally reaching the end of the floral archway, stopping right behind Preston.
According to the script, this was when the emcee was supposed to say in a heartfelt voice, “And now, will the groom please turn around and greet his beautiful bride!”
However, before the emcee could speak, the unexpected happened!
Silas, who had been standing quietly to the side, suddenly moved!
He took a step forward, and just a second before Preston was about to turn around as planned, Silas beat him to it. He faced my father and me, gave a slight bow, and then, under the stunned gazes of everyone present, he held out his hand to me!
At the exact same moment, my father released my arm and, with solemnity and without a hint of hesitation, placed my hand into Silas’s waiting palm!
The turn of events was too fast, too sudden!
My father was supposed to hand me over to Preston, who would then turn around, but instead, my father had just given my hand to another
man!
The entire venue instantly fell dead silent!
Even the music seemed to stutter!
All applause and laughter came to an abrupt halt!
The guests stared wide–eyed, unable to believe the incredible scene unfolding before them.
Many even wondered if their eyes were playing tricks on them, or if this was some bizarre new part of the wedding plan.
Preston, standing at the altar, clearly sensed the strange silence behind him and the weight of shocked, questioning stares fixed on him.
The moment he was supposed to turn around seemed to have arrived, yet something felt wrong.
With a hint of confusion and annoyance at being disturbed, he slowly turned around.
And then, the expression on his face went from smug satisfaction, to a slight frown, to complete and utter shock as he took in the scene before him–me, in my wedding dress, my hand held tightly in Silas’s! And my father, standing beside us with a grave expression!
Preston’s pupils contracted violently, the color draining from his face!
In those eyes that always held a look of detachment and control, there was, for the first time, pure, blindsided shock and bewilderment!
He even instinctively glanced at Trevor, as if to check whether he was hallucinating.
Trevor’s jaw had dropped, his face a mask of someone who had just seen a ghost.
And in the front row, the sweet smile on Felicity’s face froze instantly. She shot to her feet with a gasp, crying out, “Preston! What is going on?!”
Her shriek was piercing in the silent ballroom.
Mrs. Calloway gasped, covering her mouth in shock, while Mr. Calloway’s face turned ashen.
12:45
Whoops, His Mistress Crashed Our Wedding. Mine Didn’t
38.1%
Chapter 6
Just then, the emcee’s steady, powerful volce boomed through the microphone, reaching every corner of the ballroom and every person’s ear.
“It seems our bride has made her most important choice! Let’s have a round of applause to congratulate the happy couple–Miss Seraphina Hayes and Mr. Silas Croft”
At the same time, on the giant screen behind the altar, the slideshow of my engagement photos with Preston vanished instantly, replaced by a new set of wedding photos of Silas and me that we had taken at some point! In the pictures, we were looking at each other and smiling, our eyes meeting with complete warmth and understanding!
BOOM!
The entire ballroom erupted into chaos!
Whispers turned into shouts of disbelief and heated discussion!
The reporters‘ camera flashes went off like a frenzy of lightning, madly capturing the dramatic scene!
Preston stood frozen in place, like a soulless puppet, his eyes glued to my and Silas’s joined hands. His handsome face was a mask of utter absurdity and fury at having his world completely upended!
Through my hazy veil, I calmly met his shocked and furious gaze, and a cold smirk slowly spread across my lips.
Preston, this “surprise“, are you satisfied with it?
- Writer
