My twin betrayed me for our secret half brother

Lila’s POV “Don’t move,” the makeup artist whispered, leaning closer. “Your eyeliner…” “I’m not moving,” I said softly, but inside, I was shaking. I looked at the mirror and I could barely recognize the person staring back at me. The dress alone made it worse. The gown was made ivory silk with layers which wrapped around my body. They fitted perfectly st my waist and then flowed down. It felt too perfect. Too unreal that tonight, I was actually a bride. I breath slowly in an attempt to steady myself. “You’re shaking,” Tessa my best friend said from behind me. I looked at her through the mirror. She crossed her arms and fixed her eyes on me like there was something I was supposed to say that I wasn't and she was trying to read it on my face. “I’m fine,” I said. “You don’t look fine.” She countered, looking unconvinced. “I’m getting married in an hour, I think I’m allowed to be nervous.” I replied and forced a small smile on my face. “Being nervous is one thing. This… feels like more.” Tessa answered. She titled her head slightly while still watching me. I turned away from her because she was right. I have been feeling a kind of fear that I couldn't explain since that morning and no matter how I tried not to think too much about it, it just wouldn't go away. I did think it was the wedding, neither was it Adrian. At least… I didn’t think it was. “Where is Lena?” Tessa suddenly asked. "She told me she would be here soon." I answered even as my heart skipped. “That was what she said about an hour ago.” Tessa reminded. I swallowed. “Maybe she is just running late.” “On your wedding day?” Tessa asked frowning. “You know Lena.” I said laughing a little but it didn't feel real. Yes, we both did. Lena Monroe didn’t run late. She made entrances. I pressed my lips together as I tried to push the thought away. “She will come,” I murmured, more to myself than to Tessa. She had to. My twin sister wouldn’t miss this. Not today. Not after everything. We heard a knock on the door and my heart skipped. “Come in,” I called. The door opened slowly, and my mother Evelyn Monroe walked in first looking elegant as always. She was dressed in deep emerald, perfect and composed. Two bridesmaids followed behind her, carrying boxes and garment bags. “I want everyone out now,” my mother said calmly. The makeup artist hesitated. “I just need five more minutes—” “Out.” There was something in her voice that changed the atmosphere in the room and nobody argued with her again and within seconds, everyone left. The last person leaving, closed the door and the room became quiet. I turned slightly. “Mom?” She walked toward me and lightly placed her hands on my shoulders. “You look beautiful,” she said warmly but it didn't feel warm. “Thank you,” I said quietly. “Are you sure about this?” she asked after pausing a bit. My body went still. “What?” “This marriage. Are you sure you’re ready for it?” She repeated, looking at me through the mirror. I felt a chill run down my spine at the question. “Of course I am. Adrian and I—” “Yes. Adrian,” she cut in smoothly. “He’s… suitable.” The word felt wrong. She didn't say kind or loving. She said he was suitable. “I love him,” I told her. Her fingers tightened slightly on my shoulders. “Love is a fragile thing to build a future on.” She replied. “Mom, what is going on mom?” I frowned as I turned to face her fully. I saw something flicker in her eyes for a second and then it was gone. “Nothing,” she answered and stepped back. “Just a mother worrying.” I did not believe her, but before I could say anything else, another knock came. “Lila, it is time,” Tessa called from outside. It was finally time and everything inside me became quiet I stood slowly, rubbing my hands over my dress. This was real. This was happening. I looked at myself one last time in the mirror. I was still feeling uneasy, but I smiled anyway. “I’m ready.” I said. The music had already started when I reached the end of the aisle. The tall white doors stood closed in front of me, separating me from everything waiting on the other side. My future. “Last chance to run,” Tessa teased, squeezing my hand lightly. “Not helping.” I said and slowly took a deep breath. “Had to try.” I adjusted my grip on the bouquet. I could hear the murmur of voices behind the doors, so many people waiting for me. “For what it’s worth,” Tessa said softly, “you look like someone who deserves a happy ending.” “Why does that sound like a warning?” I asked glancing at her. She opened her mouth to reply, but the doors began to open, and light spilled through as the music swelled. Just like that, there was no more time. I stepped forward, and the aisle stretched ahead of me, long and endless. White petals scattered across the polished floor, and the guests rose to their feet, turning to look at me. Watching. Smiling. Or at least… that’s what I expected. But something felt off. The smiles didn’t reach their eyes, and the whispers didn’t fully stop. My steps slowed as I tighten my grip on the bouquet. 'Why were they looking at me like that?' I asked myself. I shifted my gaze to the altar and everything stopped. Adrian stood there, tall and composed, looking perfect in his suit. But he wasn’t looking at me. He was looking ahead… at the place I was supposed to reach. My heart began to beat harder and I followed his gaze and what I saw shattered my whole world. Because standing at the altar… was me. Same dress. Same face. Same everything. But not me. Lena. A broken sound escaped my lips. “No…” The bouquet slipped from my fingers and fell to the floor. Everywhere suddenly became blurry and my breath catching as my chest tightened painfully. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. But Lena stood there, calm and looking radiant with a slow smile forming on her lips. And Adrian… Adrian didn’t move. He didn’t look confused or even question why she was there but instead, he simply reached for her hand, like it belonged there. “Adrian…?” My voice shook as I walked towards them. The people turned and the started whispering louder and Adrian finally looked at me. But not with love. Not with relief. With something cold. “Stop this,” he said. “What…?” I asked in disbelief, the words shocking me. “This has gone too far.” Adrian added. “I don’t understand—” “Of course you don’t,” Lena cut in softly. My gaze snapped to her. She tilted her head slightly and looked at me like I was not important. “You’ve always been like this,” she continued. “Clinging to things that were never yours.” “What are you talking about?” I whispered as I felt the room turning. Adrian’s jaw tightened. “You need to leave.” Leave? I shook my head as I took another step forward. “Adrian, it’s me—” “Enough!" He shouted and everywhere became silent instantly. Something inside me broke, because the way he was looking at me… it wasn’t confusion. It wasn’t doubt. It was rejection. “You’ve embarrassed yourself enough,” he said coldly. “Don’t make this worse.” “You think I’m pretending?” I asked as my throat tightened painfully. “Please don’t do this here.” Lena sighed softly, like she was tired. “Don’t do what?” I demanded, my voice rising despite myself. “That’s my place! That’s my—” “Your what?” Lena’s gaze sharpened for a brief second before she smiled again softly . “Your life?” she asked gently. “Lila… you need help.” The words hit me hard as gasps filled the room, and my chest heaved as I began to panic. “No… no, something is wrong somewhere...” “Security,” Adrian called. Two men stepped forward immediately. “No,” I whispered, backing away. “No, wait—Adrian, please… just look at me. Really look at me.” “I am.....” I tried explaining but there was nothing in his eyes. Nothing! They grabbed my arms, and I struggled instantly. “Let me go! This is my wedding—my life—she’s lying—” “Take her out,” Adrian ordered. The doors opened again, but this time, not for my entrance. For my removal. My heart shattered with every step they forced me backward. “No!” I cried, my voice breaking. “Adrian, please—!” He didn’t move. Didn’t come after me. Didn’t stop them. The last thing I saw before the doors slammed shut was Lena standing where I should have been and smiling. Outside, the world felt too bright, too loud, too real. The guards released me and stepped back like I was nothing more than a problem they had handled. I stumbled forward, barely catching myself, my hands shaking violently as my breath came in short, broken gasps. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be. I pressed my hands against my head, squeezing my eyes shut. Think. Think. There had to be an explanation. A mistake. Something. But deep down… I knew. This wasn’t a mistake. It was planned. My eyes opened slowly, and something inside me shifted. The fear didn’t disappear..It changed. It turned cold. Sharp. Because if this was planned… Then everything I believed… everyone I trusted… Might have been part of it.