Married To Mr Smith

The Bride and The Groom

Ava stood in front of the mirror, her reflection a picture of sorrow. Today was the day of her wedding to Jude Smith—a man whose face remained a mystery to her, she didn't even speak to him but just signed the documents his family had brought.

Her fingers traced the delicate lace of her wedding gown, the fabric heavy like her heart. The ivory silk seemed to cling to her skin, its beauty a stark difference to the heaviness in her heart.

As she stared into her own eyes in the mirror, Ava's mind raced with a lot of thoughts and emotions.

Should she run away, escape the suffocating presence of her family's expectations, and start her path? Or should she go through with the marriage to Jude, a man she had never met, in the hopes of securing her family's stability and then only to seek a divorce once their fortunes were restored?

As Ava asked herself multiple questions lost in her thoughts and fighting with her inner turmoil, the door to her room creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside.

Sydney, her brother's wife, approached Ava from behind and enveloped her in a warm embrace before Ava even realized she was there.

Startled at first, Ava's tense muscles gradually relaxed as she recognized Sydney's comforting presence. With a sigh of relief, Ava turned around and returned the hug, her tears flowing freely now, unburdened by the need to conceal her emotions.

Sydney held her close, patting her back softly as Ava poured out her heartache and fears. At that moment, Sydney was not just her sister-in-law, but her only friend.

"You'll be fine, Ava," Sydney whispered, her voice gentle yet firm. "Just show your family that you'll be better off without them."

Ava nodded, her heart heavy. She knew that she couldn't let her family's expectations dictate her happiness and that she had to find the strength to carve out her path, no matter the cost.

"I know I'll be fine. I'll be fine," Ava repeated to herself, though the uncertainty still lingered in her heart.

Sydney settled into the armchair, her hand gently caressing her swollen belly, a silent reminder of the life growing within her. Ava watched her friend's joyful expression with a pang of envy, wishing for the same sense of peace and contentment.

Dabbing at her eyes to rid them of the smudged mascara, Ava tried to compose herself as her mother entered the room and moved to hug her.

With a forced smile, Ava returned her mother's hug, the warmth of the embrace failing to dispel the chill that hung in the air between them.

"It is time, Ava. Behave yourself for the family," her mother said before leaving the room, her words hanging heavy in the silence that followed.

Ava scoffed at her mother's parting words. "I can't believe she gave birth to me," Ava muttered under her breath, the weight of everything bearing down upon her like a leaden cloak.

With a sigh, Ava gathered up her bouquet and offered a hand to help Sydney to her feet. "Let's get this done with," she said, sounding already tired.

* * * * *

Ava turned her attention back to the officiator, trying to shake off the unease that filled her.

But as she glanced at Jude, his handsome features spoilt by a stoic expression, she couldn't help but feel a pang of uneasiness.

He was so handsome, she thought, but there was no warmth in his gaze, no hint of emotion to betray the thoughts that lay beneath the surface.

He seemed very bored and did not fail to hide it, his eyes fixed on some distant point beyond her, his lips set in a line of indifference.

She knew that their relationship wouldn't just bloom overnight, she tried to console herself.

What was she even thinking about? She didn't plan to stay married to him for long and when she divorced him, then she would be free from everyone.

The officiator's voice broke through her thoughts, snapping her mind back to the present. "Do you?" he repeated his words.

"Do I?" Ava echoed, her voice tinged with a hint of confusion before she then realized that she was still at the altar. "Oh, yes, I do," she declared, a snort escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Heat flooded her cheeks, turning them a shade of crimson as she fought to suppress her laughter.

Glancing up at Jude, Ava expected to see amusement or at least a hint of understanding in his eyes. Instead, she found him staring at her with an expression devoid of emotion, as though she were nothing more than a disturbance.

Feeling a pang of hurt at his indifference, Ava turned away, her embarrassment now mingled with a sense of disappointment.

As she waited for the officiator to finish whatever formalities remained, Ava couldn't shake the feeling that settled in the pit of her stomach, she was going to become a married woman today and it was going to change a lot of things.

"I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride," the officiator declared with a warm smile, his words ringing through the hushed silence of the church.

Ava's cheeks flushed crimson as she hesitated, her mind racing wildly and her heart beating rapidly. She was about to object, to avoid further embarrassment, but before she could protest, Jude's hand was on her waist, pulling her close.

Before she could react, his lips met hers in a brief, chaste kiss that sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins. It was over almost as quickly as it began, leaving Ava breathless and very puzzled, her heart pounding in her chest.

As Jude released her, he stared at her and then straightened up acting as though nothing had happened, his expression unreadable as he turned to lead her out of the church. Ava followed, her hand clasped in his, her mind filled with a lot of things.

As they stepped outside the church, the warm glow of the afternoon sun bathed them as they posed for photographs.

His father and mother were all smiles as they posed with them for the photos. "Good Job, Son," His father said.

Ava smiled for the camera, her cheeks still flushed with the remnants of embarrassment.

But as the last photograph was taken, Ava turned to Jude, trying to start a conversation as it was getting awkward. "I know you al—" she began, her voice trailing off as Jude slipped his hands out of hers and turned away.

Ava's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in disbelief as if struck by a sudden blow. The warmth of the sun seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a chill that seeped into her bones, leaving her feeling cold and alone.

For a moment, Ava stood rooted to the spot, her mind reeling with confusion and hurt. She had expected this and she didn't know why it shocked her, but she had never anticipated such blatant rejection, such cold indifference from the man who was now her husband.

As the reality of Jude's actions sank in, Ava felt a surge of anger rising within her. She felt the tears in her eyes but tried to push them back as she waited for the car that was to bring her luggage and also take them home.

When the car arrived for her and Jude, she hugged Sydney and her older brother. Her parents and other siblings had left after the photograph.

Ava felt uneasy as they sat in the car together. The tension between them was overwhelming and made it hard for her to breathe. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her.

She stayed on her side, her mind consumed with thoughts of how Jude had treated her, the sting of his rejection still fresh in her memory.

Summoning her courage, Ava turned to Jude, her voice soft and shaky. "Is your house very far?" she asked in a whisper, hoping to break the silence that hung between them like a thick fog.

Jude barely spared her a glance, his attention focused on the cigarette dangling from his lips as he took a long drag, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air. With a flick of his wrist, he rolled down the window, the rush of cool air offering little relief from the stifling atmosphere inside the car.

Ava felt a surge of frustration welling up within her, her attempts at conversation met with stony silence. "I guess you didn't hear me," she began, her voice tinged with irritation.

"I heard you now, Mrs. Smith," Jude interrupted, his voice laced with contempt. "It was my name you wanted? Well, now you have it, so you can leave me the f**k alone."