Married to the Rowlands

CHAPTER 5:DAY OF SOLEMN VOWS AND SURPRISE

Kendall’s POV~

“You look beautiful, Kendall,” Tyler’s mom said, holding my hands. I stared at my reflection, feeling like a stranger. The lace dress and veil felt like someone else’s life. The argument with Tyler replayed in my mind, reminding me I was marrying a man who didn’t love me.

Tyler’s mom’s voice pulled me back. “Your mother would have loved to see you like this. She is looking down, I’m sure.” I managed a shaky smile, wiping her tears.

“She’d probably lighten the mood with a joke,” I said

“She would have told you how beautiful you looked,” she replied, her smile bittersweet.

My heart ached at her words, and my mom’s smile flashed in my mind, reminding me of the fresh wound her absence left. I’d thought of everything—Tyler, my father, my future—but I’d pushed aside the one person who would have known what to say.

My father entered the room, his expression softening with pride as he approached me in my wedding dress.

“I should leave you two now,” Tyler’s mom said as she walked out.

“Your mother would have been proud to see you. She always wanted you to have stability and a strong future,” he said.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. “You don’t get to tell me what my mother would have said, Dad,” I replied firmly.

“I know today isn’t easy, but moments like this define us. You’re doing something bigger than yourself,” he said, adjusting a stray hair. “One day, you’ll understand why this was necessary.”

Anger flared inside me; all my father cared about was his legacy.

Just then, Sophie burst in. “Oh my, you look beautiful, Ken!” she gasped, and I smiled, grateful for her presence.

“Okay, you two, it’s time to go,” my dad announced, breaking the moment. “Alright, I love you, Ken,” Sophie said, handing me my bouquet of lilies before leaving.

As I walked down the aisle, conflicting emotions overwhelmed me. My heart raced, and the guests’ smiles blurred. I was approaching a man I didn’t love, my dreams slipping away. Tyler stood at the altar, tense and anxious. Our eyes met, and a chill ran through me; we were both on the edge of something neither wanted.

When my father handed me to Tyler, his grip was cold and dismissive. “Let’s get this over with,” he muttered, his words cutting through me like ice. I felt his disdain seep into my bones, a reminder that I was marrying a man who didn’t care.

My mind went blank as the priest asked for Tyler’s vows. I hoped someone would walk in and stop the wedding, but no one came. A squeeze on my hand jolted me back.

“What?” I whispered.

“Kendall Lauren Keshigan, did you take Tyler Jude Rowland as your lawfully wedded husband?” the priest asked again.

“I…I do,” I stammered.

“I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” The crowd erupted in cheers as Tyler kissed me, the most uncomfortable kiss I’d ever experienced.

As we walked down the aisle, I scanned the smiling faces, noting a girl in a lacy white dress glaring at me. Who wears white to someone else’s wedding?

At the door, heading to the after-party, Sophie leaned in. “You won’t die just because you were married to Tyler. And if you did, I’d make sure he did too.” She snatched the bouquet from my hands with a playful grin. Sophie always had a knack for brightening my mood.

Tyler suddenly released my hand. “I’ll be right back. You can go to the reception before me,” he said, worry and anger flashing in his eyes.

“What’s going on now?” I wondered.

“Let’s just enjoy ourselves,” Sophie said, pulling me into the reception hall. I felt drained as Tyler’s father frowned and asked, “Where the hell is Tyler?”

“He said he had something urgent to take care of,” I replied.

“Can you find him? You shouldn’t be alone,” he urged, patting my shoulder.

Frustrated, I walked to the groom’s waiting room, but he wasn’t there. Just as I turned to leave, I heard him say, “Zoey, I’ve told you to stop! Someone might see us.”

I pushed the door open and saw her—the woman in white—kissing him. My stomach twisted with anger. How could he betray me on our wedding day? I didn’t even want to marry Tyler, but this was supposed to be my day. Memories of Conrad cheating flashed through my mind. Is this my life?

“How dare you!” I said, my voice breaking as I confronted him.

Tyler’s eyes widened in surprise as he pushed the woman away, but his shock quickly faded into a cold, unreadable expression as he crossed his arms.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, as if I were the one in the wrong.

“What am I doing here?” I snapped. “The audacity, Tyler. We’re barely five hours married, and you’re already kissing someone else?”

He looked back at me, his face emotionless, almost bored. “You weren’t supposed to see that,” he said flatly.

“‘I wasn’t supposed to see that?’ Are you serious?” My voice trembled. “You’re a jerk, Tyler Rowland and I deserve respect, especially on my wedding day.”

He took a step toward me, hands casually in his pockets, a hard look in his eyes. “You will not speak to me that way, Kendall. If you want respect, maybe start acting respectable. After all, respect is earned, isn’t it?”

He leaned in close, eyes locking with mine. “And let’s not pretend—I didn’t force you to marry me.”

His words stung because they were true; he hadn’t forced me. I clenched my fists, fighting back the tears, determined not to let him see me falter.

The woman shifted, trying to speak. “Excuse me…”

I raised a hand to silence her. “Have some self-respect, will you? Showing up here in white, on my wedding day?” My anger flared, and I shot her a look that made her step back. “Leave. Now. Before I lose my patience.”

I turned to Tyler, smirking, “You didn’t force me, but we’re stuck together now, aren’t we?”I mimicked his British accent. “ And when you’re done here, my father-in-law wants a word with you.”

My heart sank with each step back to the reception, the laughter and music clashing with the chaos in my mind. Was this my new reality?

Tyler returned, visibly angry, without the woman. “What the hell was that?” he demanded.

I smiled trying to hide the pain I felt.

“How was the latest groom doing?” A voice said, and Tyler’s frustration faded as he smiled and stepped forward to embrace him.

“Delvin, I’m glad you came,” Tyler said cheerfully.

“I would never miss it, man. Sorry, I was late; I had to come in style,” he replied jokingly.

I wondered who Delvin was. I stood there trying to recall why the voice was so familiar. I racked my brain trying to connect the dots, but each dot led to a dead end.

“I should meet the new Mrs. Rowland, right?” the voice said.

“Right,” Tyler replied, smiling, moving away slowly, revealing his face.

Recognition crashed over me like a wave. The memories of that night flooded back with shocking clarity. He was the man I had shared a one-night stand with. My mind went blank, wondering why he seemed close to Tyler.

“Well, Ken, this is my best friend Delvin,” Tyler said.

I was speechless; my mind raced, and my pulse quickened.

“Best friend?” I asked, confused.

What the hell? The man I had a one-night stand with was Tyler Rowland’s best friend!