The Replaced Bride’s fortune

Chapter 14

Brianna’s POV

The gasps from the crowd sounded in a loud melody. Whispers and chatters echoed through the small audience.

I looked around to find the source, to find the owner of the very familiar voice, only to find it belonging to my sister— Emily.

My eyes widened in shock as I took in the sight of Emily. At the far back of the field.

She held my gaze, her eyes wild, rimmed red with I shed tears. I couldn’t help but remain rooted in place, my only anchor being Adrian whose hands find mine. He held my hand, rubbing small circles at the back of it.

Adrian gestures to Barrett at the corner of the field. In no time security had grabbed her, escorting her out despite her struggling.

My father stood with silent observation, his eyes dancing between Adrian and I on the alter, a cold glare sent my way. Mother hurried after Emily, for the first time, she’s lost all composure, chasing after the escorts, her hands slapping at their arms. Yelling for them to let go of her daughter.

My chest tightening as I watched them all disappear into the distance. The crowds murmuring still faint in the background.

“Let us continue, ignore the disturbance,” Adrian ordered, directed at the officiating.

The officiant whose eyes and stance seemed distracted and confused continued shakily with one cold glance from Adrian.

“As there isn’t any…let us continue” he stuttered, his hands shaking as he read off the pamphlet in his hands.

Like controlled robots the rest of the guests continued to face forward like nothing had just happened and I felt rooted to the spot.

What we Emily doing here? Why was she back?

Why object if she ran away from this?

The officiant continued, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Cheers erupted from the guests as my mind wandered far away from what was happening.

Adrian didn’t even seem the least bit affected, if anything he was all grin and eagerness, almost bouncing at his feet. The guests were also not even rattled at all.

It was almost like I imagined it all, maybe it was a manifestation of my own imagination. Was I hallucinating now?

“You may now kiss the bride…” before the words even land, I’m suddenly pulled into a sickly sweet kiss that almost threw me off my feet. Adrian now has one hand one my cheek, the other by my neck and I couldn’t help but melt in the kiss.

Applause erupted again from the audience—whistles, cheers, the sharp echo of clapping hands crashing into me all at once. Snapping me back to reality.

Heat crawled up my neck, spreading fast across my cheeks as awareness rushed in, of where I was, of who I was standing in front of, of the hundreds of eyes watching us. And…Emily.

I pulled away from him, not without his reluctant hold on me, my breath uneven, my fingers still clutching faintly at the front of his suit.

Adrian’s eyes dripped with genuine joy and excitement, mine widened with slight embarrassment and confusion. I couldn’t properly enjoy this moment.

The weigh of the ring on my hands pressing to me heavier than the dress I wore. Emily stayed at the back of my mind, her objection, my father’s cold glance, mother’s sudden behavior.

Before I knew it I’m pulled away by Adrian, my dress dragging the field, my hands clutching to the hems of it running.

“Let’s go baby,” Adrian calls out from my front as we ran towards the house.

Adrian pulled me along toward the house, his grip firm but not harsh. I didn’t resist, I just followed. I couldn’t even if I could, his grip was right as we went in hand in hand. My steps heavy, my mind a storm of thoughts that I couldn’t quite piece together.

By the time we got to the room, my room for last night and the same room Adrian had said we would share starting today, everything felt distant, unreal.

Before I could gather herself or say a word, Adrian spoke, his voice low and controlled, mixed with his excited eyes washing over my face.“You look extremely beautiful my love. We are finally married, Mi amor. You’re finally and officially mine.”

Silence presses into the void.

I didn’t have anything to say to that. Not with my mind swirling with million questions.

“Why was she here, Adrian?” I questioned, unable to bury my confusion and curiosity.

“It doesn’t matter baby,” he whispered, his hand on either sides of my cheeks, “she is not here anymore.”

The way he said that felt sinister and a bit weird, coupled with the glint in his eyes, I had to ask, “What do you mean by that,” I pulled back with furrowed brows.