Married to a Lie

Chapter 1: The Bride Left Behind

The day I always dreamed of and waited for. The day started with the silk, diamond, and promises turned into the ashes.

I stood in the grand marriage hall. I was wearing the bridal dress that Mr. Jack gave me as a gift for our wedding ceremony. My heart was pounding very fast beneath the layers of satin and lace. Ceremony time almost had been finished, and people were whispering from behind their veils and tuxedos. But there was no groom.

Silence in the hall.

Jack wasn't late. He wasn't stuck in traffic He wasn't coming.

As the doors opened like a gunshot. My sister Zoe entered in the hall.

My dreams had been shattered.

Her hand was in Jack's hand and her fingers were laced tightly with Jack's.

In her other hand, she was holding a freshly stamped marriage certificate.

I froze at the place. A glass of wine dropped from someone's hand. A camera flash went off, catching the expressions of frozen disbelief on my face.

" You thought that he'd marry you?" Zoe said with a poisonous smile. Her diamond earrings and shining white dress watching lights. " Jack was always mine."

I was still frozen, not able to say something. The bouquet in my hand slipped, petals scattering across the marble floor like my dreams.

Laughter on the faces of people.

The betrayal causes more pain than everything in the world. A pain that can kill someone.

Jack didn't even look at me. Not to explain, not to apologize or say something to me. He just stood beside my sister like I never existed in his world.

As I turned to run. I only made my first step before a voice called out behind me through the crowd.

" Lily!"

I froze.

Noah Romano.

Jack's older twin brother. The cold and dangerous one. Always silent.

The one who always stood in the shadows, watching.

Wearing a black suit his dark eyes looked on me not with pity but fire. He pushed the crowd.

" I told Jack he was a fool," Noah said, grabbing my hand gently but firmly. " He doesn't deserve you."

" Don't say that Noah " I choked. " Not now please."

" Not now then when? "He cupped my face with his hands. " I've been waiting for you, Lily. I always watched while chasing him broke me. I always remained quiet. I thought if you were happy, I could bear the pain for your happiness."

My heart started pounding fast.

" You are just saying this because you feel sorry for me."

" No," he said. " I'm saying this because I won't let you go out of here thinking you never loved. I always loved you and waiting for you."

Tears came through my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. This time... they weren't from Jack.

In my worst and lowest moments. Noah was the one who pulled me from the ashes.

I let Jack go like a fool desperate to feel anything but betrayal.

I didn't return to my father's home or the hotel suite reserved for a bride. I left with Noah. One week later I married him.

This scandal lit up on every street and corner of the city.

The mafia princess, one brother betrayed her and another one married her. But Noah never cared about them.

For five years, Noah loved me and gave me everything. I never asked him any questions. I didn't need to ask.

Until the day of the shipwreck.

Noah went on a private mission with his crew off of the Amalfi Coast. His boat exploded after the sometimes radio contact was lost.

No survivor left, only a shipwreck.

Only our marriage ring left, scorched and twisted.

I buried an empty casket and also tried to bury my heart with it.

But fate wanted something else.

Weeks after his death. I found myself doubled over in the bathroom vomiting into a crystal sink. I went to the doctor the next day, and he confirmed it . I was pregnant with twins.

A boy and a girl. His legacy is still living inside me.

I didn't tell anyone about it. Not the Romano family. Not my family. Not to anyone in th world.

My grief kept me silent.

Until that night.

When I returned to our house to gather some of Noah's things. I heard voices through the slightly opened door of Noah's study room.

He was Enzo, Noah's most trusted man.

" It's unfair with Lily, Noah. It's very dangerous," Enzo said. " Jack died in the boat incident, not you. You let them believe you died there just because you could step into Jack's life. Just you could be with Zoe. Again."

My heart stopped. No.

That voice. It couldn't be.

" I have made my choice," Noah replied. " I married Lily just because to keep her away from Zoe and Jack. It was not love ever. I've already sacrificed many times. But this time, I'm choosing something for me something that I want. No more guilt. No more lies."

I moved away from the door. This time pain hit me harder than before.

He never loved me. Not even once.

He spread false news of his death and took Jack's identity. Everything just because he could crawl back to Zoe... my sister. The same woman who already stole my fiance on our wedding day.

I ran. Through the halls, out the estate, into the night.

The next morning, I stood in the hospital, soaked in the rain and broken.

I want an abortion," I whispered to a nurse.

" You're already four months, Miss. And it's a very healthy pregnancy. Are you sure want to go through with this?" The doctor said after the scan. I nodded.

If I wasn't alone, I would never be here.

" Yes" I said, voice hollow.

"I'm ready for it."

The nurse stepped out to prepare the forms.

Then the door opened.

My heart almost stopped.

Noah stood in the doorway.

Alive.Staring at me like his whole world was burning.

"Lily, don't do it," he said.

And I couldn't tell I wanted to kill him or fall apart into his arms.