WRONG TWIN

The church doors opened slowly, the sun rays ran through as if released by a sudden force. Lily stood at the threshold in white: the fabric swallowed her frame, the veil a thin, a trembling veil between her and the world. Guests craned forward, their faces bright with expectation. The groom—handsome, impeccably dressed, impossibly content—waited at the altar for the happiest moment of his life—or so he thought. Lily looked through her veil, her stomach churned with guilt, and, though barely noticeable, her shoulders slumped with the weight of this massive lie. What was she doing? Probably she should stop, she should turn around and run, or she should plead for forgiveness, or was it too late to undo this wrong? She took her first step, a first step into a loveless cage, a dark one at that. She watched Raynold, his face lit with a smile that brightened his handsome features. She took the first step. That step felt like stepping into a cage. With every inch she moved, the world grew smaller and harder—her white dress a prison, the veil a blurring screen. He looked at her with a trust so complete it made her chest ache. She smiled back because he deserved that smile, because her role was set and there was no turning back. Tears rolled down her cheeks with each step she took. She felt a hand on her arm—her dad, his eyes full of malice, bore into hers despite the veil over her face. Then suddenly a soft hug. “Was she dreaming?” she asked herself. “Don't be stupid, don't mess this up. You're doing this for your family, for Vera”. His calm, calculated voice whispered in her ears before he pulled out of the hug. She couldn't believe his words, but he was right; it was all for her family, for Vera. “Do you, Vera Streford, take Raynold Clift to be your husband?” The question struck hard. “Vera? "But I'm not Vera, I'm Lily”, she screamed in her head. “I do”, she managed to say; her words were lies woven in silk. More tears rolled down her cheeks; the lies were piling up, and she could already tell the future. “Do you, Raynold Clift, take Vera…” Every sound narrowed into a brittle echo around her; all she could see was the man she loved being deceived into a cage of marriage. “If only I weren't a twin, an identical twin… If only I looked different, if only." She saw his arms on her veil, and slowly her netty vision cleared. She saw Raynold's smile slowly vanish, and her heart skipped. “Shhh, there's no need to cry." Slowly he lifted her face by her chin and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Her eyes widened in shock. "What is going on? Should I kiss him back?” she thought within her , she'd been lost in thought she hadn't heard the priest announce 'you may now kiss the bride'. Her thoughts were caught short by the cheerful sound of the audience clapping, "Kiss her again..." KISS HER AGAIN” A cheerful guest urged in the spur of the moment, with laughter. Before she could say a word, Raynold crashed his lips on hers in a quick kiss with a splash of passion. Her cheeks bloomed red with a fierce blush “What just happened?” she asked herself, a question with no answers. The crowd cheered joyfully at the occasion. And just like that, the drive back to her new home came all too quickly. She stood staring at the door of the luxurious mansion. This was her dream all along, but not this way. Instead of happiness, her heart bled with sorrow and guilt, and her lips trembled, holding in a sob. “Welcome home, my love,” Raynold’s deep, soothing voice whispered in her ears. “We're finally married. I'm so happy, Vera. Thank you for making me the happiest man in this world.” His words came with a soft kiss on her lips; her heart sank. He carried her bridal style in his arms and slowly headed to their matrimonial room. A little sob escapes her lips as he drops her calmly on the bed. “I can't,” she says softly. “What's wrong, love?” Raynold caresses her cheeks a little. “Are you scared? We can postpone the wedding night; I don't mind.” His comforting words were like stabs in her heart; she burst into a sob. “I'm so sorry; I shouldn't have done this to you. You don't deserve this, Raynold,” she says in between sobs. Raynold looked genuinely confused; he held her hands in his. “What's wrong, love? Speak to me, you know you can tell me anything, Vera.” She stares at him with tears in her eyes, she couldn't tell him, she shouldn't tell him. "maybe I'm a little nervous", she smiled, it was forced, just like her words. Raynold smiled calmly. Seeing his smile she knew he'd be hurt if she told him the truth. How did all this happen anyway...?