The Unexpected Marriage

CHAPTER FOUR: TIDES OF WAR

ABELLA'S P.O.V.

My eyes fluttered open, and my vision became clear again, but something looked different. I glanced down at my body to see myself in a wedding dress– Emily's wedding dress!

Before I could notice, Uncle Andy was already leading me down the aisle to meet a man I didn't know anything about.

What the f**k was going on? Why was I dressed in Emily's wedding dress? Isn't she supposed to be the one doing this? What drama is this?

I couldn't stop thinking until Uncle Andy stopped at some point and whispered to me.

“That’s your new man. You better stay cool and don't ruin this for us. This was supposed to be Emily's day. He told me, and I cringed at his words as he resumed walking until he handed me to him.

The man my cousin was supposed to be with at the altar.

I glanced at the man's face, and instantly my heart clenched in my chest, tremors hovered under my feet. It was Xavier! Xavier Wolfsburg. The annoying college playboy freak I had loathed.

Damn, what the hell!

Xavier let out an Irish grin at me, linking my hand with his as I refused to climb the altar with him. This is alarming! I shouldn't be doing this to my cousin, Emily!

How can I be someone I loathed so much?

“Bride, we need to go to the altar.” The asshole whispered to me, but I was too shocked to even roll my eyes or say anything as I slowly went to the altar.

The next thing I heard was the Priest asking a question, and he replied, “Yes, I do.”

“Do you, Emily Lake, take Xavier Wolfsburg to be your lawfully wedded husband and live in holy matrimony?” The Priest asked, to shock me.

I stared down at what I was wearing, the veil covering my face. What was I wearing? How did I even end up here? What the f**k was happening? Why was I getting married?

I couldn't help but reel with different thoughts as I gawked at the man before me. Someone I disliked more than anything.

Why the hell was I even at the altar?

My eyes dwindled as Emily's name registered in my head. Emily? I wasn't Emily!.

I tilted my head at the crowd of people. Jeez, they were much as they anticipated my response. My eyes glimmered as I prayed silently for Emily to walk right in.

Xavier cleared his throat, drifting me back to reality. His eyes looked so cold, like he was drawing at me.

Did he realize I was not Emily?

“Miss Emily Lake?” The Priest called again and there was another moment of silence.

My lips shook as it parted. “Yes, I do.”

Xavier flashed me a smirk and I rolled my eyes this time as the Priest did his proclamation. Xavier pulled my finger so forcefully that I almost winced when he inserted the ring into me.

Was I truly married? Uncle Andy and his wife purposely drugged me just for their own benefit. They were trying to throw me under the bus?.

My hand trembled as I did the same thing to him, frowning slightly at him.

Such a jerk.

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride.”

My eyes widened from the veil as Xavier didn't waste any time before grabbing my waist closer to him, so much that I tugged at his tuxedo as he unveiled me, giving me an unusual smirk as he crashed his lips onto mine.

Everyone cheered, but it was the most shocking moment when some started murmuring and gasping, including the Priest.

“That isn't Emily Lake!”

“That’s her cousin!”

“Emily screwed up, they are married anyway!”

Xavier pulled away from the kiss and grinned sheepishly at me. “Welcome to my new home, bride.” He whispered to me and I shuddered against him.

“Don’t touch me, freak.” I whispered back as he leaned away. His face contorted to a frown before facing the crowd while cameras clicked around.

***

I was married to my worst nightmare. Nothing to be done about it. How could I make such a mistake by trusting my Uncle?

Ever since after the wedding and reception, I haven't even set my eyes on people I called family. Not even Bailey. Xavier was with other guests and didn't even have the time for me.

I rolled my eyes. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅.

Standing outside, I noticed a blonde-haired lady approaching me in classic heels and a dress with a cup of gin and tonic with her.

She seemed so familiar.

“I see you're married to my brother now,” She started, bitterness obvious in her voice and my brows creased. “Your brother?”

She scoffed. “Don’t you realize that I'm Sophia Wolfsburg? The only sister of Xavier Wolfsburg?” She repeated and I mouthed an ‘Oh’.

“I’m sorry..”

“Tsk. You should tell that to yourself because you'll be sorry for stepping into this family, fake Emily.” She retorted sharply.

“I’m sorry, do I know you somewhere?”

Her jaw dropped in astonishment. “Are you kidding me? I didn't even for once think you'd be this weird! Gosh, I hate the fact that I came here.” Sophia rolled her eyes and scurried away from me.

I let out a chuckle, but it instantly turned to a frown as Xavier trudged towards me.

“What’s making you laugh, bride?”

“I’m not your bride,” I mumbled.

“Of course you aren't and that's why your punishment doubles for fooling me. Fooling us.” Xavier muttered to me.

“Fooling you? Well, clearly, it happened to be that I was the one who got fooled.”

Xavier was made to speak again when a black SUV arrived before us, a middle-aged caramel skin man came out.

“Good evening, Sir Xavier. Your ride is ready,” The man uttered, referring to the car in front of us, which made me curl my brows at Xavier.

“C’mon, it's time to go home, bride.” Xavier took my hand in his and started trudging to the car.

“What?”