Chapter2: A Wedding That Cannot Stop
1497 Words
Freya’s heart slammed violently against her ribs. He knew, Jackson Vance knew. For a moment, the world around her seemed to disappear, the murmuring guests, the priest speaking softly, the music fading into the background. All she could hear was the echo of Jackson’s low voice beside her.
“You’re not Freda.”
Freya forced herself to breathe. If Jackson exposed the truth right now, this entire wedding would collapse in front of hundreds of powerful guests. The Walker family would be humiliated beyond repair and she.. she had no idea what Jackson might do next.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his. Jackson’s dark eyes were fixed on her face, studying every small reaction she tried, and failed to hide. Up close, he looked even more intimidating than she imagined. His sharp jawline was tense, his expression calm but dangerous.
He leaned slightly closer again. “Care to explain?” he murmured.
Freya’s fingers tightened around the bouquet. “There’s nothing to explain,” she whispered back.
Jackson’s eyebrow lifted almost imperceptibly.
“Oh?” he said quietly.
His gaze moved slowly over her face, his voice still calm enough that no one else could hear.
“Because the woman I agreed to marry is named Freda Walker,” he said, then his eyes locked onto hers.
“And you’re clearly not her.”
Freya swallowed. Before she could respond, the priest’s voice interrupted.
“Shall we begin the ceremony?”
A wave of anticipation moved through the guests. Freya’s chest tightened. Jackson didn’t look away from her. For several long seconds, silence stretched between them. Freya expected him to stop everything, to expose the truth in front of everyone, instead something unexpected happened. Jackson straightened, his cold expression returned, as if nothing unusual had occurred.
“Yes,” he said smoothly.
The priest nodded and continued speaking. Freya blinked in shock. He..he wasn’t stopping the wedding?
The ceremony moved forward. The priest began reciting the vows while the guests watched quietly. Cameras flashed, important businessmen whispered to their wives. No one seemed to realize the bride and groom were standing in the middle of a silent battle.
Freya leaned slightly closer.
“Why are you doing this?” she whispered.
Jackson didn’t look at her, instead, he watched the priest calmly.
“That’s the question I should be asking you,” he replied.
Freya’s pulse raced.
“You know this wedding shouldn’t be happening.”
Jackson finally turned his head, their eyes met.
“And yet,” he said quietly, “you walked down the aisle anyway.”
Freya froze. There was no accusation in his voice, only curiosity, which somehow felt far more dangerous.
The priest cleared his throat.
“We will now proceed with the exchange of vows.”
Freya’s stomach dropped, this was happening too fast. Jackson turned his full attention to her now, his gaze unreadable.
“If I stop this wedding,” he said quietly, “your family will be publicly humiliated.”
Freya’s breath caught.
“But if I continue it,” he added slowly, “I get something far more interesting.”
Freya frowned slightly.
“Interesting?”
Jackson’s lips curved faintly.
“Yes.”
The priest looked between them politely.
“Mr. Vance, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
The entire cathedral seemed to hold its breath. Freya stared at Jackson, he knew the truth, he could end everything right now but instead Jackson spoke clearly.
“I do.”
Gasps of admiration rippled through the guests.
Freya’s mind spun…What was he doing?
The priest turned toward her.
“Miss Walker, do you take Jackson Vance to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Freya hesitated. Her father was watching from the front row, his eyes sharp and expectant. There was no escape.
Slowly, she forced the words out.
“I…do.”
Applause erupted across the cathedral. Freya felt like the floor had disappeared beneath her feet and within minutes, the priest smiled warmly.
“Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” More applause followed as Jackson stepped closer. Freya barely had time to react before his hand gently lifted her chin.
From the outside, it looked romantic but his grip was firm enough to make her heart race.
“Relax,” he murmured, then he kissed her. It was brief and controlled but the moment their lips touched, the crowd erupted into cheers. When Jackson pulled away, his expression remained calm but his eyes, his eyes held something sharp and calculating.
The ceremony ended quickly after that. Guests began celebrating while photographers rushed forward. Freya barely processed any of it. Her mind was still stuck on one terrifying question.
Why did Jackson Vance continue the wedding after discovering the truth?
Nearly thirty minutes later, Freya finally found herself inside the back of a sleek black limousine with the doors shut quietly. Jackson sat across from her, his posture relaxed and his sharp gaze fixed on her face. Freya felt suddenly very aware of the diamond ring now resting on her finger.
Neither of them spoke for a moment then Jackson leaned forward slightly.
“Well,” he said calmly, “I think it’s time we talk.”
Freya tried to steady her breathing.
“You already know the truth,” she said quietly.
Jackson tilted his head slightly.
“I know that you’re not Freda Walker,” he said.
“Everything else,” he added slowly, “is still a mystery.”
Freya looked out the window briefly before answering.
“My sister didn’t want to marry you.”
Jackson didn’t seem surprised.
“So she sent you instead.”
Freya frowned.
“I didn’t volunteer.”
Jackson’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Yet you still said I do.”
Freya hesitated. Jackson leaned back in his seat, watching her carefully.
“Here’s the part I find interesting,” he said calmly.
“You knew I wasn’t supposed to marry you.”
Freya stayed silent.
“Yet,” he continued, “you walked down that aisle anyway.”
His voice grew quieter.
“Why?”
Freya slowly met his gaze. For the first time, something fierce flickered in her eyes.
“Because,” she said quietly, “this marriage benefits me too.” Jackson stilled, that was clearly not the answer he expected.
Freya’s voice remained calm.
“Your company destroyed my father’s business years ago.”
Jackson’s expression hardened slightly.
“And I want to know why.”
Silence filled the limousine. Jackson watched her for several seconds then suddenly he laughed softly. It wasn’t mocking rather it sounded ..impressed.
“So that’s it,” he said.
“You married me to investigate me?”
Freya didn’t answer. Jackson leaned forward again, his dark eyes gleaming with interest.
“Well, Mrs. Vance,” he said slowly.
“You just made this marriage far more entertaining than I expected.” Freya’s pulse raced, then Jackson’s expression shifted again, this time becoming colder.
“But there’s something you should understand.”
Freya frowned slightly as Jackson’s voice dropped lower.
“You’re now living in my world.”
A chill crept down her spine.
“And my world,” he continued quietly, “is far more dangerous than you think.”
Freya held his gaze.
“I’m not afraid of you.”
Jackson’s lips curved faintly.
“Oh,” he said softly.
“You should be.”
The limousine slowed as it approached a massive set of iron gates. Freya glanced out the window and her breath caught instantly. Beyond the gates stood a mansion so enormous it looked more like a palace.
Jackson followed her gaze.
“Welcome home,” he said calmly. Freya turned back toward him but before she could speak, Jackson’s phone suddenly rang. He answered it without hesitation.
“Yes?”
A few seconds passed then something unexpected happened. Jackson’s relaxed expression vanished completely and his eyes darkened.
“What did you say?” he asked sharply.
Freya felt tension fill the air while Jackson listened silently then his voice dropped into something cold and dangerous.
“Find her.”
Freya frowned.
“Find who?”
Jackson ended the call slowly. For the first time since the wedding began, Jackson looked genuinely furious. His gaze turned toward Freya.
“My missing bride,” he said quietly.
“Your sister.”
Freya blinked in surprise.
“What about her?”
Jackson’s eyes hardened.
“She’s gone.”
Freya frowned and asked, “What do you mean gone?”
Jackson’s voice dropped even lower.
“I mean,” he said slowly,
“Freda Walker disappeared an hour ago.”
Freya felt her stomach drop as Jackson’s gaze locked onto hers.
“And now,” he added coldly, “someone is demanding ten million dollars for her return.”
Freya’s heart stopped because this wedding had just become something much more dangerous.
- Writer
