Wear My Wedding Dress
959 Words
My head bangs like it’s being pummeled by a sledgehammer, each throb sharper than the last. On top of that, my ears ring endlessly, a high-pitched sound that refuses to fade.
It drowns out everything else.
The noise. The chatter. The excitement buzzing through the hall.
Amidst high-profile guests—billionaires, multimillionaires, investors, celebrities—I sit tucked away at the far end, drowning in my own misery. Clothed in a dull sweatsuit, hoodie pulled low over my face, sunglasses shielding my aching eyes from the blinding glow of a million crystals hanging from the ceiling.
It really is the wedding of the century.
The hall is massive. Built with polished marble that gleams under the light, screaming wealth, power, everything I’ve never had.
I’m lucky to even be here.
Most of the people seated in this room are high-class.
Not bottom feeders.
Not… people like me.
A tap pulls me out of my thoughts.
I groan, turning slowly to glare at the figure beside me.
Vanessa.
One of my sister’s bridesmaids.
I nearly fall off my chair.
Vanessa has never spoken to me. Not since we were kids—back when she and my sister would be picked up in one of my father’s SUVs, while I was left behind to figure out public transport on my own.
“Is everything okay?” I mutter.
“No,” she whispers, panic laced in her voice. “Vivienne’s missing.”
My brows knit together. “Missing? Are you sure? Did you check the bathroom? She could be having a breakdown or something—”
“No. She’s missing,” Vanessa cuts in, glancing around nervously. “We need your help finding her before she’s called to the altar.”
I lean back, groaning under my breath.
Why me?
Why now?
I wasn’t even supposed to be here.
My stepmother made it very clear she didn’t want a leech at her daughter’s perfect wedding. I’m still surprised I made it past the entrance.
So why drag me into this?
Still, I force myself up, swaying slightly before steadying. I shove my hands into my hoodie pocket and follow Vanessa.
Knowing Vivienne, she’s probably locked herself in a bathroom somewhere, crying over something dramatic.
That’s who she is.
Dramatic.
We stop at the makeup room.
Before I can say anything, Vanessa shoves me inside and slams the door shut, locking it.
My heart jumps.
“She’s here!” Vanessa calls out.
I barely have time to react before—
The closet door bursts open.
Vivienne steps out.
I flinch so hard my vision blurs for a second.
I thought she was missing.
“Vivienne?” My voice comes out uneven. “She said you were missing.”
“Long story,” she says quickly, gathering her dress as she walks toward me.
I instinctively step back.
Being alone with Vivienne—and Vanessa—is never a good situation.
Not for me.
“I need you to wear my dress and marry Alexander Vandercrest.”
Silence.
I wait for her to laugh.
To smirk.
To tell me it’s a joke.
She doesn’t.
Her lips press together, her eyes desperate.
And suddenly, I feel cold.
“What?” I whisper.
“There’s no time to explain. I just… I need you to switch with me.”
“Why would I ever do that?”
“Because we’re sisters.”
A laugh escapes me before I can stop it.
Sharp. Bitter.
It clearly offends them both, but I don’t care.
Sisters?
She hasn’t called me that since the day my father brought me into this family.
This doesn’t make sense.
“Why are you refusing to marry him?” I ask, my voice tightening. “Why Vandercrest?”
“I love someone else, Liana,” she says. “Just do this for me.”
My head spins. I press my fingers to my temple, trying to steady myself.
“Let me get this straight,” I say slowly. “You’re in love with someone else… and instead of telling Dad, you decided to wait until your wedding day to run?”
“Dad would never allow it,” she snaps. “I don’t have a choice.”
“And I do?” I shoot back. “You want me to take your place? What happens when I get caught? You want me to take the fall for you?”
Vanessa exhales loudly behind me, clearly irritated.
Vivienne’s jaw tightens.
“Look, you won’t get caught,” she says. “Just keep the veil on. Don’t talk too much. After the wedding, ask for a divorce.”
I stare at her.
“And why should I do that for you?”
“I heard you’re drowning in debt,” she says flatly.
My stomach drops.
So she’s been watching me.
“It’s only a matter of time before everything crashes,” she continues. “Help me, and I’ll convince Dad to take you back.”
I go still.
She’s not wrong.
I’m barely surviving.
Rent is overdue.
Food is a luxury.
And if nothing changes soon… I’ll have nothing left.
“How are you so sure Dad will even listen to you after this?” I ask quietly.
Vivienne tilts her head, her lips curling slightly.
“Because unlike you, Liana… he actually loves me.”
The words land harder than anything else she’s said.
They shouldn’t hurt.
But they do.
They always do.
This is wrong.
Completely wrong.
We’re deceiving a man.
And not just any man.
Alexander Vandercrest.
A name that carries power. Fear. Ruthlessness.
If he finds out—
I don’t even want to imagine it.
Silence stretches.
My pulse pounds in my ears.
Then—
“I’ll do it.”
- Writer
