The Billionaire That Stole My Heart

CHAPTER 3

-ELYNA

I stood in front of the wide-framed mirror, my reflection staring back at me with puffy eyes. Today was my wedding day, a day I had been dreading for the past two days now. As my mother, Jeanne, rushed into the room with the extravagant bridal gown, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. I knew what was coming, and it wasn't the happy ending that my parents and Mr. Dubois had promised me.

"Arise, Elyna, it's your wedding day!" exclaimed Jeanne, strutting the curtains widely open and bringing in the early morning sunshine.

"Elyna, the wedding is in three hours. Wake up, it's your special day!"

I groaned, my back still on the bed and my hands stretched out as I prepared to accept my new reality of being the wife of one of Paris' most powerful and ruthless men.

"Huh, already?" I questioned with one eye slightly open.

"Yes, get up, and go shower. We already have some guests waiting for you," said Jeanne as she removed the duvet from my stride.

"Guests? Who's waiting for me, mom? Who are these guests?" I questioned as I got up from the bed and slid on my slippers.

"Mr. Dubois brought some of his assistants to ensure we have all the help needed to arrive on time for the wedding," responded Jeanne behind me as she pushed me in the direction of the bathroom.

As I reached the bathroom, I stared at my reflection in the mirror with my left hand placed across the edge of the coral white basin. I wondered if this new life that was beginning was worth taking, or if I should take matters into my own hands, by ending my own life, as my gaze dropped towards the palm of my right hand, where lay six sets of tablets that originated from my mom's medication for her stroke.

As I contemplated taking these drugs and ending it all, I couldn't bear the pain that I would cause my family, particularly my mom, Jeanne. My affection for my mom couldn't be compared to anything else. I dropped the drugs into the toilet that was located just across my right hand and struck the flushing handle with subtle aggression. I proceeded to remove my gown from my body and strutted towards the bathtub.

"Elyna, finish up. It's almost time. We have to leave," instructed Jeanne from the bathroom door with the wedding gown placed on her left shoulder.

"Okay, I'll meet you in my room," answered a teary me with my voice below a whisper.

I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears as Jeanne left the bathroom.

I knew I had to compose myself for the wedding, but I couldn't help feeling overwhelmed with emotions.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I reached for the lotion on the counter. I applied it to my arms and neck, taking care to massage it gently into my skin.

This lotion had been a gift from my grandmother, who had passed away years ago. I remembered her words: "Always use this lotion on your special days. It will bring you good luck and make you feel beautiful." I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the happy memories of my grandmother.

Rather than the impending wedding, I thought about Mr. Dubois, the man I was about to marry. Although the marriage was arranged, I couldn't deny that I found him attractive and charming. I wondered what our life together would be like, and if I would be able to love him.

I hoped that my grandmother's lotion would indeed bring me good luck, and that my new life with Mr. Dubois would be filled with happiness and love.

As I made my way to the bedroom, my mom handed me the wedding gown.

"Here, cheer up. This is in our best interest," she insisted as she noticed my saddening visage.

"Yes, mom. I understand," I replied defiantly as I recalled my parents' sayings, as well as Raphael's plan of accumulating a small portion of Mr. Dubois' wealth. As I put on the wedding gown, an ineffable feeling took precedence over me as I moved closer to accepting my new reality, my prison that could last a lifetime.

As my mom and I made our way out of our home and into a black Maybach S-class with suede seats, with the assistance of Mr. Dubois' compliance, my new reality settled within my consciousness as we drove to the destination of my new-found fate.

"Elyna Blanc, do you accept Hugo Dubois as your lawful, wedded husband?" proceeded the priest with a firm gentle voice, as Mr. Dubois had accepted his set in the wedding vow procession.

I stared at Mr. Dubois' big bugged-eyes. With my mind completely blank and my thoughts elsewhere, I barely registered Jules taking a firm grip on my right hand. However, as I turned towards my parents, I suddenly came back to the present moment and was met with a reassuring smile on their faces. I was reminded that this wedding was not just about me, but about my entire family and the people I loved most.

Taking a deep breath, I responded to the priest's question with a hesitant, quirky voice that was met with a joyful cheer from the crowd. I could feel Mr. Dubois' hand around my neck as he leaned in for a kiss, and the tears began to well up in my eyes.

As we made our way to Mr. Dubois' home in a luxurious white Rolls-Royce Cullinan, he turned to me and asked.

"Elyna, why were you tearing up during the ceremony? Is there something wrong?" His voice was gentle and concerned as he reached out to place his hands on my back and lap.

I felt a sudden wave of anger rise up in my chest as I pushed his hands away.

"I was thinking about someone else," I interrupted, my voice sharp with aggression. I couldn't deny the warmth that Mr. Dubois' touch had offered me, but it also made me feel conflicted in a way I had never experienced before.