MARRIED TO THE WRONG TWIN

Chapter 2 – The Reception

The applause was deafening.

Crystal chandeliers glittered above the cathedral as guests clapped, smiled, and whispered about the breathtaking wedding. To them, it was a fairy tale — the beautiful bride, the ruthless billionaire groom, a union of power and perfection.

But my hands were trembling inside Adrian’s iron grip.

He hadn’t looked at me once since the vows. His jaw was clenched, his eyes focused ahead, as though walking beside me was a duty, not a choice.

When the cameras flashed, he leaned down, brushing his lips against my cheek. To the world, it was a kiss. To me, it was a warning.

“Keep smiling,” he murmured, his voice like ice. “If you embarrass me, even once, I’ll make you regret breathing.”

My lips curled upward, but my chest was a storm. I had stepped into a lie that was already swallowing me whole.

⸻

The reception hall was drenched in gold, every table overflowing with roses and wine. Laughter filled the air as the orchestra played. Guests raised glasses in our honor, praising a love that didn’t exist.

Adrian excused himself to speak with investors, leaving me at the bridal table under the burning stares of curious eyes.

“Elara looks… different tonight,” someone whispered loudly enough to sting.

“Colder. Nervous.”

“Perhaps she realizes what she’s married into.”

Heat crawled up my neck. They weren’t wrong. I wasn’t Elara.

I forced myself to sip champagne, but the bubbles caught in my throat. My mother’s gaze from across the room was a dagger: Don’t you dare falter.

⸻

“Smile.”

The voice was sharp at my side. Adrian had returned, his hand sliding possessively over mine. The warmth of his palm was at odds with the frost in his eyes.

“I don’t understand you,” he said lowly, his lips curving in a smile only for the guests’ benefit. “One moment, you play the perfect bride. The next, you look like you’re about to run.”

My pulse quickened. Did he know? Could he already see through me?

“I…” My voice caught. “It’s just overwhelming.”

His gaze bore into me, heavy and searching. For one terrible second, I thought he might rip the veil away and expose the truth.

Instead, he leaned closer, his words a blade against my ear.

“Get used to it, wife. My world doesn’t tolerate weakness. And if you think you can hide secrets from me…” His thumb brushed my knuckles, deceptively gentle. “You’ll learn very quickly how dangerous I can be.”

The orchestra swelled, guests rose for the first dance, and Adrian stood, tugging me up with him. His hand settled firmly at my waist, pulling me close before I could protest.

The world clapped and cheered as we moved across the marble floor. To them, we were flawless, gliding like a dream.

But inside, I was breaking. Because every step wasn’t a dance — it was a warning.

And I didn’t know how much longer before Adrian Kane discovered I wasn’t the bride he thought I had married into his empire of lies.