The Casanova's Bride

Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE WEDDING DAY

Amara

The wedding day arrived before I was ready.

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the woman wearing a white dress I had never chosen.

Everything about the day felt wrong.

The flowers.

The decorations.

The expensive jewellery.

The people moving around the house as if this were the happiest day of my life.

None of it mattered to me.

Because my best friend was still missing.

I looked at my reflection.

"I hope you're safe, Zola."

A knock came at the door.

My mother entered.

She looked at me for a moment before speaking.

"It's time."

I turned away from the mirror.

"Where is Zola?"

My mother hesitated.

"You'll see her after the ceremony."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Promise?"

She nodded.

"Yes."

I didn't trust them.

But I had no other choice.

They had made their condition very clear.

Marry Alexander Devereaux, and Zola comes home.

Refuse, and they wouldn't tell me where she was.

So I had agreed.

Not because I loved Alexander.

Not because I wanted his money.

Not because I wanted to become a billionaire's wife.

I was doing it for Zola.

I walked downstairs.

The entire house was filled with people.

My father stood at the entrance, waiting for me.

He smiled.

I didn't.

He offered me his arm.

I stared at it.

Then I took it.

Not because I forgave him.

Because I needed to get through this day.

As we walked toward the ceremony, my heart pounded.

I saw him.

Alexander Devereaux.

He stood at the altar in a perfectly fitted black suit, looking completely calm.

He was exactly like the photographs I'd seen.

Confident.

Composed.

Untouchable.

His eyes met mine.

For a brief moment, his expression changed.

Perhaps he hadn't expected me to look so determined.

I reached the altar.

My father placed my hand in Alexander's.

I immediately pulled it back slightly.

Alexander noticed.

His lips almost curved into a smile.

"Relax," he whispered.

I looked at him.

"I'm not nervous."

"Then what are you?"

"Angry."

His eyebrow lifted.

"At me?"

"No."

I glanced toward my family.

"Not yet."

The ceremony began.

I barely heard the words.

All I could think about was Zola.

When the time came for my vows, I stared at Alexander.

"I do."

Two words.

That's all I could give.

Not promises of love.

Not promises of forever.

Just two words that would change my life.

Alexander said his vows.

Then the officiant smiled.

"You may kiss the bride."

I immediately looked at Alexander.

He leaned closer, but stopped before getting too close.

His voice was low.

"I won't do anything you don't want."

I blinked.

That wasn't what I expected.

He stepped back.

The ceremony ended.

Everyone applauded.

I didn't.

The moment we walked away from the altar, I turned toward my father.

"Where is Zola?"

He smiled.

"She'll be brought back."

"Now."

"Amara—"

"Now."

Alexander looked between us.

"What is she talking about?"

Nobody answered.

My father finally sighed.

"Zola will be released."

Alexander's expression hardened.

"Released?"

I looked at him.

"They took my best friend."

His eyes narrowed.

"Who did?"

"My family."

For the first time since I'd met him, Alexander looked genuinely surprised.

I stepped closer.

"I agreed to this marriage because they promised me she'd come home."

He stared at me.

"And you believed them?"

"No."

I looked directly into his eyes.

"I trusted that I could find her myself once I got out of their control."

Alexander was silent.

Then he said quietly,

"You're not what I expected."

I almost laughed.

"Neither are you."

A black car pulled up outside.

My heart stopped.

The door opened.

And then I saw her.

"Zola!"

I ran toward her.

She stepped out of the car.

I wrapped my arms around her immediately.

For the first time in days, I could breathe.

"You're okay."

"I'm okay."

I pulled away and looked at her.

"What happened?"

Zola glanced past me.

Her eyes landed on Alexander.

Her expression changed.

"Amara..."

"What?"

She swallowed.

"We need to talk."

My stomach dropped.

"About what?"

She looked at Alexander again.

Then back at me.

"Your husband."

Alexander's expression became unreadable.

"What about me?"

Zola took a breath.

"Amara..."

She lowered her voice.

"Your family lied to you."

My heart sank.

"About what?"

Zola looked at Alexander.

"Everything."