Mrs Knight
555 Words
The pen trembled between my fingers.
It was strange.
A single signature shouldn't have weighed so much.
Yet somehow, it felt heavier than the black gown wrapped around me.
The priest looked from me to the marriage certificate before clearing his throat uneasily.
"Miss Laurent... are you certain you wish to proceed?"
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
Instead, my father's voice reached me.
Soft.
Broken.
"Please."
Just one word.
But it carried the weight of our family's future.
I lowered my gaze and signed my name.
Amelia Laurent.
The scratching of ink against paper echoed through the silent cathedral.
The priest let out a quiet sigh before lifting the certificate.
"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Silence.
No applause.
No cheers.
No kiss.
Only the sound of cameras clicking somewhere in the distance.
Just like that...
I became Mrs. Amelia Knight.
The guests began leaving in uneasy whispers.
No one knew whether to congratulate me or pity me.
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart."
I turned just in time for my mother to wrap me in a warm embrace.
The moment her arms closed around me, the tears I'd been fighting threatened to escape.
She gently stroked my hair.
"You don't deserve this."
I smiled through the ache in my chest.
"I'll be okay, Mom."
She pulled back just enough to look into my eyes.
"No."
Her voice cracked.
"You don't have to pretend with me."
Beside us, Lily folded her arms and shot Ethan Cole a furious glare.
"So this is how your boss treats his wife?"
Ethan remained perfectly composed.
"Mr. Knight had an urgent business engagement overseas."
Lily scoffed.
"More urgent than his own wedding?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Ethan answered,
"Mr. Knight rarely changes his schedule."
The words landed like another slap across my face.
"He left?" I asked quietly.
Ethan nodded once.
"Mr. Knight departed early this morning."
"This morning..."
The realization settled heavily in my chest.
He hadn't forgotten today.
He had simply chosen not to be here.
Dad stepped closer.
His eyes were filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Amelia."
I reached for his hand and squeezed it.
"Take care of Mom."
He nodded, unable to speak.
Ethan's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen before slipping it back into his pocket.
"Mr. Knight has landed safely."
For one foolish heartbeat...
I thought he might call.
He didn't.
Instead, Ethan looked at me.
"The vehicle is ready, Mrs. Knight."
I took one last look around the cathedral.
The white roses.
The empty chair.
The place where my old life had quietly come to an end.
Then I turned away.
Outside, a sleek black limousine waited with a convoy of luxury SUVs behind it.
Ethan opened the rear door.
I climbed inside without another word.
The moment the door shut, the convoy pulled away.
No one spoke during the drive.
I watched the city disappear beyond the tinted windows until towering iron gates appeared ahead.
They slowly creaked open.
Beyond them stood a mansion so enormous it looked more like a palace than a home.
As the limousine rolled through the gates, Ethan finally broke the silence.
He looked at me through the rearview mirror.
"Mrs. Knight..."
His voice was as calm as ever.
"There are rules."
- Writer
