In Her Place

(Nora’s pov) Words caught in my throat as I stared at my parents, feeling like the world had gone mad and I was the only one left thinking straight. “You want me to do what?” I whispered and mom rolled her eyes, her hands folded against her breast, while dad placed his hand on her shoulder. “No jokes, nora . Your sister would want this too , you need to see this like helping her out in a difficult situation.” Dad said and my lips parted in disbelieve. “You are telling me, clara is okay with me getting married to her man?” I stared at my parents searching for answers and dad nodded gently. “She understands the implications of not finishing up this marriage ceremony today, rather than losing him to another woman and getting the company bankrupt, she would prefer it to be you instead.” Mum explained and I still starred at them struggling to piece it all together, my mouth slightly apart in disbelief. It still didn’t make sense to me. “Henry loves her, he wouldn’t do this to her, they are getting married for love not to fulfill some godforsaken contract that would stuff money in dads pocket.” I folded my arms round my chest, and mum raised her eyebrows at me. “That is not the point here and how are you sure of that?” looking straight at me, like she could look answers straight out of me. ‘Because he is my crush.’ I wanted to reply but I held myself back. “I know Henry is a good man, He’d be worried about his wife’s wellbeing instead of following through with this jok… ” mum lifted her left arm, cutting me off before I could finish. “Henry’s parents would start asking questions if we keep them and our guest waiting, clara is stable, The doctor has confirmed to us she’s stable, only unconscious from the shock and would wake up soon, it wasn’t a terrible accident, Are you going to help her or not?” Mum yelled and took a deep breath letting it all out without saying anything further. My sister had started dating Henry before I left home for a fresh start because I couldn’t bear to see her date the man I’ve had a crush on, all my life. She knew how I felt about him, but she was bold and I wasn’t, She made the first move while I kept my feelings buried. My parents summoned me back urgently, Apparently, clara was getting married and has been involved in an accident, Mum and Dad would not stop at making me see reasons why I should take her place and get married in her stead. Sure, the idea made my heart race, but at same time, it wasn’t right, something seemed off, why not postpone the wedding, why me…why today. “ Nora, I know it’s difficult but we really need this.” Mums fingers gently ran through my hair, and every muscle in me tensed. ‘ I thought they were in love’ I thought this union was built upon love but looks like it’s one of my parents many schemes to strengthen their ties and connection, this time… with the Harrington family. ‘Had she been prentending? Was henry bothering her…but he is not that kind of man.’ I thought as my mum led me to come sit with her. “Relax nora, I know it’s a difficult thing to ask but you are not getting married to him , okay?. You would only be filling in for clara.” She took a deep breath, knowing this is totally wrong. “Henry’s family gave him just a month to get married or lose his place as heir to his brother,’ I bit my lips a little too hard, and I felt my heart tighten in pain.” Why not wait for clara to recover? “And henry, what does he think about this?” I asked, and mum sighed, like I had asked a question that wasn’t necessary, but I needed to know. Was the man I thought I knew all a fluke? “He is aware, he is waiting for you as we speak, all you need to do is change into clara’s dress and you’re good.” Mum tugged at her dress, adjusting it to cover herself properly. “Your sister needs this, your fathers business needs this, better you do this for her than to hire someone in your sisters stead, the Valega contract depends on this marriage happening today and your sisters happiness as well.” Mum’s tone shifted, trembling like she was on the verge of tears and my heart tightened. I had never seen my parents this vulnerable, Dad never begs, Mums words were always final so whatever this was, it clearly meant a lot to them. “Nora, are you going to be cruel and say no after witnessing all these?” Dad questioned as he stood up to gather his wife in his arms. I looked away, different thoughts flying into my mind, Clara had always been the favourite daughter, especially mum’s. My whole life, I’ve tried to earn even a fraction of the attention she gets, but it has always felt impossible. “ I will help.” I decided, walking down the hallway to get dressed up in clara’s dress, and mum followed me. I opened the bridal suite, it felt like a dream, a miracle in white – soft lights ,flowers and beauty screaming from every corner. “WTF! It’s just for one day.” Mum stormed a look at me, the makeup artist on standby started fixing my already made up face, the gown fit but a little too tight on my waist…as expected, I had better curve’s than clara, the shoes would not fit as the lady tried to force it into my leg. “clara mentioned you got her this pair. Looks like you ensured it would only fit your favourite child,” I questioned, and mum shook her head in disappointment. “ is that what you should be concerned about in this situation?” she sneered. Dad walked me down the aisle, all the imaginations of this walk down with him only to experience it first as a fake bride. “Wasn’t a bad idea after all, you look ravishing.” Henry shrugged in his deep voice, I haven’t seen him in years and now I feel like I had been punched in the guts. Everyone had acted like they weren’t seeing my face, that I wasn’t the actual bride, I mean clara’s picture with henry were boldly placed at the church’s entrance. “You may now kiss your bride.” It was definetly a fake wedding but this kiss was real, he leaned in, basking in the moment and ate my lips up, for a man I used to have dreams and immaginations of kissing, this didn’t move me, almost like I wasn’t in the moment with him, it felt like screwing clara’s man. “you will be moving in with me tonight.” He told me, under his breath, with a wink on his left eye. ‘mom didn’t mention this part, why would I move in with clara’s man’ he left me to glance around in disbelief.