At My Wedding, My Fiancé Said “I Do” To Another Woman

Chapter 3

Nolan didn't return until noon on the day of the wedding. He smelled of hospital disinfectant, and Katherine's usual perfume lingered on his collar. My mother and Marcus followed him inside.

Katherine walked slowly behind them, pale-faced, with one hand on her lower abdomen. The moment my mother saw her, she hurried over. "Are you tired? Did you eat this morning?"

She handed Katherine an insulated food jar filled with warm berry oatmeal, my favorite breakfast. A few days earlier, I had said I wanted some, but my mother claimed it was too sweet and bad for my skin. Now she fed it to Katherine one spoonful at a time.

Marcus crouched and helped Katherine change into flats. "Don't wear heels. Didn't the doctor warn you?"

Her eyes turned red. "This is Elena's wedding. Flats don't seem appropriate."

Marcus immediately comforted her. "Who would dare say that? You're the one who matters most right now."

Nolan walked over to me. "Elena, I'll sort everything out with Katherine."

I looked up at him. "How?"

"I'll take responsibility for the baby once it's born, but you're still my fiancée." He sounded as though he were discussing a contract whose terms had already been settled. "We can't cancel today's wedding. Grandpa's health is poor, and the Grant and Hayes families have already announced their partnership."

He paused before explaining the plan. Katherine would wear my gown and veil and stand in for me during the bridal procession and ceremony. Her face would remain hidden, so the guests and press wouldn't realize I was missing. Nolan would explain everything to me after the guests had left.

I stared at him. "She's going to stand in for me at my own wedding?"

Nolan was silent for a moment. "She can't be upset. Do this for me, just this once."

I almost laughed. My ankle was swollen, and I hadn't slept all night. No one had asked whether I could make it through the day. Katherine claimed she was pregnant, so everyone rushed to take care of her. She was not even Mrs. Grant, yet she was already getting all the care and attention that should have been mine.

My mother finally looked at me. "Elena, let this go just this once. Katie has suffered since she was young, and now she is pregnant. Don't compete with her over this."

Marcus lowered his voice. "If you cause trouble today, no one will protect you."

I looked at him. "When have I ever asked you to protect me?"

He froze, but I didn't wait for an answer.

Katherine came to me with red-rimmed eyes. "Elena, if you truly don't want me to do this, I can stay away."

She offered to step aside, yet she clutched the wedding gown so tightly that her knuckles whitened. Nolan immediately took her hand. "You're going. Don't be afraid."

At that moment, the last of my hope died. I nodded. "All right."

Everyone stared at me in surprise. I turned to Katherine. "You can walk down the aisle in my place."

Joy flashed in her eyes. My mother sighed with relief and immediately told the makeup artist to bring out the wedding gown. Marcus arranged Katherine's train, and Nolan placed the veil over her head himself. His touch was gentle, as if she were fragile and precious.

I stood to one side and watched the scene in the mirror. Katherine wore my gown. Nolan stood behind her. My mother smiled as she took pictures, and Marcus said Katherine was more beautiful than any bride he had ever seen.

No one noticed that I had never changed into formal clothes. No one asked where I was supposed to sit.

After Nolan finished arranging Katherine's veil, he finally turned to me. "Stay here. I'll come find you when the ceremony is over."

I gave a small nod. "All right."

He relaxed, turned away, took Katherine's hand, and led her toward the ballroom.