HIS REPLACEMENT BRIDE

WEDDING.

ARIANA'S POV.

I tore my eyes away as I focused on Zikorah running towards me. I returned her hug as she

smiles, “Daddy told me you're going to be his new wife” she says her voice giddy from

excitement. I nodded as I crouched to her level as I stroke her hair, Yes. I signed as she smiles,

“I'll be the flower girl!” She says making me chuckle. I bring out my phone so I could

communicate easily with her, I type In my notes app: we are picking our dresses together okay

baby? Before showing her, “Okay! I'm so excited, I'm going to have a new mummy!” She

exclaims and my heart skips a beat, I immediately look at her father. He wasn't even looking our

way, he was talking with one of dad's men, Did your dad allow you to call me that? I typed

before showing her. “Yes, I asked daddy on her way here and daddy never says no to me” she

replied making me smile. I'll never say no to you too baby, you're so cute, I type before showing

her she giggles.

“My friends are going to love you mummy, I can't wait till you meet them. I have sleep overs

sometimes and they come over,” she says, “Kelly, Lenorah and Anna are my best friends” she

adds making me smile. We walk towards one of the row of white dresses, “I picked this one,”

mum says and I nodded before touching it. It's perfect mum, I signed, “Are you sure you like it?”

She asks and I nod. Certainly, I sign and she smiles “You can pick Zikorah's dress now” she

says before pulling Tasha away from the living room to discuss only God knows what.

After a long while, Zikorah finally settled on a cream dress that complimented my wedding

dress. It's perfect babyyy, I typed, she smiled and nodded before hugging me. “I had fun

mummy, she says and I hold her before pulling away, Me too I signed she looked confused but I

typed it quickly for her, “I'm going to learn sign language for you mummy, aunty Tasha says it

hurts when you talk” she says her words melting my heart. I smiled, before kissing her forehead,

Okay. I mouthed, “Zikorah” Nicolai calls and she frowns. “Coming daddy!” She yells before

looking at me, “I have to go, see you tomorrow my mummy!” She says and I nodded watching

as she ran off.

I stare at my wedding dress, oh Lord, this was really becoming real.

♡

I was in my room after dinner when my door opened. I raised my head as dad walked in, “Hey

princess,” he greets as I smiled. Hi dad, I signed “I wanted to see you, you must be wondering

why I did this, right?” He asks and I shake my head, You were the first person I told about my

feelings for him dad and even though I don't like your approach about it I'm glad you're paring

me with someone I love. I sign and he smiles, “I just want you to be happy princess” he says,

“I'm glad.” I whispered, making him frown “Stop hurting yourself,please” he says. I'll try, I sign,

he kisses my forehead before leaving.

I stood up going to lay down, tomorrow was my wedding day and I needed to get enough rest.

Next Day,

I sat infront of the mirror as the makeup artist moved about, my hair was already in a bridal updo

while I sat patiently for her to finish with my make up, a little while later she was done. I stood up

as she arranged me into my dress and perfectly adjusting my ropes and the fathers along the

dress before placing the veil over my face.

If I say I wasn't nervous I'd be lying, my heart was beating like crazy. The door opened and I

hear Tasha say something but I didn't quite register it because of how nervous I was, “You're so

beautiful!” She says and I smile, mum lifts my veil so I'd see them and she smiles. “Oh! You're

such a belle” she says and I smiled widely, “Mum is right” Tasha says. “You look really beautiful

Ariana and I know I shouldn't be saying this but you still have time to back out,” she whispered

making me laugh.

I'll be fine, I promise and if I'm not I'll run home, I signed and they both nod approvingly. “Let's go

the car is waiting,” mum says dropping my veil back before helping me out of my room, down

the stairs and into the car. I sat alone, my thoughts started to get louder, What if he says no?

What if he calls it off? What if… No! That's enough, today was my wedding and it was going to

be the happiest day of my life.

The car slowly came to a stop, one of the security opened my door before helping me out. The

chapel was huge, dad was waiting by the door as I slowly walked towards him, he extended his

arm as I took it before he led me down the aisle. There were so many people here who I'd never

met, I stared ahead, Nicolai stood on the aisle in a black suit. The suit hugged him perfectly

making him look so good, his eyes never left me as my father and I walked towards him, finally

we stopped in front of him and he stretch his arm, I gently placed my palm in his as he helped

me up. I saw Zikorah, she sat in the front row waving excitedly, she was the only familiar face

except my family, my eyes searched the crowd and they landed on Marcelo, he gave me a tight smile as my heart finally calmed down. If my brother was here he wasn't going to let anything go

wrong, the priest started the ceremony, and soon enough we said our vows. Zikorah walked

over with our rings, I took his ring before wearing it on his finger before I looked up, he reached

for mine, I stretched my palm forward and he held my wrist. His cold palm on my wrist my my

breathing hitched as I felt a jolt go up my spine, this was the first time he was touching me, he

dropped my hand but I still felt the heat from his touch, the metal ring pressed to my finger a

subtle reminder that I was finally married to him.

The priests asks if I'd take Nicolai as my husband and I nod just once, then his question came,

he stares at me before “I do.” Just two words and it made me release a breath I didn't even

realise that I was holding, “You may kiss your bride!” The priest says as the crowd erupts.

Nicolai takes a step forward before placing a soft kiss on the corner of my lips before sharply

recoiling like It burnt, I felt a sting at his actions but I couldn't let him see how badly he affected

me so I looked away.

♡

It was our reception, I stood next to him like an ideal bride as he introduced me to important

people in the family. “Ari!” I heard my name over the loud music as I turned, Marcelo was

walking towards us. I smiled as he reached me, “My little girl is now a bride!” He says making

me smile, “Good to see you Nicolai” he greets while Nicolai replies with a short shake of his

head. He led me away to a place where we both talked for a while when I spotted Nicolai

walking our way with Zikorah in his arms, I reached for her and he carefully placed her in my

arms. She lets out a small sound before settling properly into my arms, “Sorry to cut your

conversation short but we have to leave.” He says looking at Marcelo, he nods “I'll call you

tomorrow Ari” Marcelo says before walking away.

Where are we going? I ask as he frowns, “We are leaving Ariana,” he replies before grabbing

my arm to lead me out, I struggle before getting my arm free and stopping. What are you doing?

It's our wedding reception” I signed sharply, “Listen to me, I don't care about all this bullshit” he

says calmly, “Your father already said he'd handle the guest so lets go” he adds and I frown.

Why should I listen to you? I ask “I'm your husband Ariana" he says stepping closer before

leaning close to my ear, “Listen I have a flight leaving for Rome tonight so better do as I say” he

whispers and I step back. You're leaving on our wedding night? I ask, "What were you

expecting? Roses and love making? I made this clear to you Ariana I'm just with you for my

daughter.” He says, I wanted to sign something but I just stopped myself, “Let's go” he says and

I nod before following him out of the hall. A man opened the car for me as I got in, I placed

Zikorah carefully on my lap as I stared out the window. The buildings of Italy flashed through as

we moved closer to his mansion. I smiled painfully as my heart ached because my husband was

on a plane going to Rome while I was made to go home alone and cold with no idea what the

future held for me.