My Replacement Wife

CHAPTER 2

Adrien felt really sad and powerless when he left the church. He missed his girlfriend a lot and was also really mad. He decided to marry an employee he didn't like much because he didn't want to feel embarrassed in front of everyone at the wedding.

He looked for Elena in two places, even though he thought it was unlikely she'd be at home. But Elena sometimes did things that didn't make sense. Adrien was determined, so he drove to their house.

When he got there, he went straight to their bedroom without making any noise.

"Elena?" He pushed the door open gently. The sight that met his eyes pierced through him - her wedding dress lay sprawled across the bed, the veil hung delicately on a hook by the window, and her slippers rested at the foot of the bed. The bathroom door creaked open, revealing Elena, her makeup smudged, launching herself at Adrien.

"Adrien!" She clung to him, oblivious to the makeup staining his elegant, costly suit. "Why didn't you come?" Her words came out in a frantic stream. "Why didn't you come?"

"Elena... please, calm down." He eased her away gently, holding her shoulders. "After we all waited for hours, after I waited for you... you left me standing there."

"I was panicking! My nerves got the better of me. I sent everyone away, then I started calling you."

"My phone was at home. I didn't want any distractions on such a special day. Valeria called you multiple times. She tried the house phone. I sent for you."

"I hid," she confessed amidst sobs. "I needed you. I needed you to come, to reassure me, to walk down that aisle together. But as time passed, and you didn't show, it became painfully clear I couldn't go through with it. It was just nerves, Adrien. I'm sorry. Look at my hands... they're still shaking."

Elena's demeanor often leaned towards the childish and capricious, craving Adrien's constant affection, which he readily bestowed upon her. Her stunning beauty, accentuated by her large green eyes, long lashes, perfect nose, and kissable lips, rendered her irresistible. Her voice, soft and melodic, reveled in Adrien's attention. Throughout their relationship, they had never quarreled, a testament to Adrien's yielding nature, his Achilles' heel being Elena.

"You were nervous, you say, yet you wanted to get married," Adrien pointed out.

"It's our dream! Of course, I wanted to marry you, Adrien. I would never leave you."

"Never?" He turned away calmly, leaning against the wall beside the door. "That's precisely what you did, Elena - left me at the altar. If you truly wanted to marry me, you would've mustered the courage to come, despite your nerves. Even when I sent for you. But you chose to hide. It was your decision not to come. Yours alone."

"And I'm so sorry! But you're here now. We can reschedule, set a new date, have our wedding. Heck, we could settle for a civil ceremony. I'm truly sorry, Adrien." She approached him, her hand resting on his back. "I am sorry."

"As am I. But I can't remarry, Elena. Not for at least a year."

"A year? Fine. You're angry. You're hiding it well, but I know. You want to punish me by making me wait a year when we could easily marry in two months. I understand. Look at that dress on the bed. Do you think it can wait a year? Look at me, Adrien. Do you think I want to wait a damn year to marry you? What's next, putting our relationship on hold?"

"No, that's not what's next. I stood there for hours, a spectacle before all those guests you conjured up, before your relatives who saw me as an ogre, before my parents who never approved of our union but stayed silent for my sake. I stood there, in front of countless cameras, portraying a desperate groom, eyes fixed on the door, waiting for his bride. Elena, if your professed love for me wasn't enough to quell your nerves, then the message you're sending is crystal clear."

"W-What message?" She grasped his arms desperately. "Adrien, please, look at me. It was just nerves, that's all, just nerves."

"We're through, Elena."

"No!"

"Besides, I'm already married." He lifted his left hand, displaying the ring.

Elena tried to remove the ring frantically. "Stay until I return from my honeymoon. After that, I don't want to see you here, or any trace of you. Go, take your nerves with you."

Confounded, disbelief etched on her face, Elena collapsed to the ground. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched Adrien's receding figure, unable to lift her gaze.

How could Adrien already be married?

With whom?

Why?

Elena found herself engulfed in doubts, more profound than ever before. Fear and sadness gripped her tightly as she sank onto the carpet, surrendering to the overwhelming emotions that consumed her.

Her plan had faltered; lacking Adrien's ego had shattered the entire scheme.

"Why did I not attend my own wedding? Why?" she lamented inwardly. "I should have deferred that issue, not left the ceremony," she chastised herself repeatedly.