Surrendering To My Billionaire Ex

PENELOPE’S POV Everyone says your wedding day should be the best day of your life. It's the day I'm meant to make eternal vows with the love of my life and start a beautiful journey with him. That's nothing but fairytales told to teenagers and kids who believe in happily ever afters. Reality isn't so colorful. Today is my wedding day, and I would have been the happiest bride on Earth if not that my husband to be is my runaway lover's brother who has no idea of our affair. “You’ll be a Wellington!” Marie shrieked in my ear for the hundredth time today. I rolled my eyes and looked away to hide the heat moving up to my face. The mirror reflection couldn’t possibly show how tense I was. Her phone glued to her hands, Marie, a maid and my closest friend, read loudly from an article. “Sebastian Wellington has won Ravenport’s Man of the year seven times in a row, he’s the CEO of the Wellington Enterprise, he’s worth over two Billion—” “Enough!” I cried, raising my left hand to dismiss her. “You don’t need to tell me his biography, I know who Sebastian Wellington is.” Despite how excited I was to be married to Sebastian, the name “Wellington” was still a thorn in my flesh, and a constant reminder of betrayal. “If you truly know Sebastian, why do you still look worried?” Marie wondered, staring at me with those keen doe eyes. I sighed. My gaze lowered to the handkerchief in my sweaty palms. My hand was trembling but I still clutched onto the blue fabric, caressing the hems with care as though it held the secrets to my happiness. Marie followed my gaze and she exhaled loudly. “Miss Grant, you have to move on.” “I have.” I retorted defensively. “But—” She rushed to my side and took my hands in hers. “You can’t allow a mistake you made seven years ago ruin your entire life.” I snatched my hand away from her and sniffed into the handkerchief. It still had the name R. Wellington embroidered onto It, and although the scent of his cologne had long faded after the years, I could still perceive him everywhere. “Sebastian doesn’t know about my son’s true father. “ I whispered, tears burning at the corners of my eyes. Marie looked around nervously before hissing at me. “Miss Grant, don’t speak of that so carelessly. Your father forbids the mention of Elvis birth to anyone, even to yourself.” The church bell rang, easing up the growing tension in the room. Seconds later, the double doors of the dressing room swung open, and father’s saggy face appeared between the gap. "My Sweet Penelope,” He ushered, stretching out his hand. “It’s time.” I couldn’t move my legs. I felt stuck to the ground. It was stupid and cowardly but for reasons I couldn’t explain, I was afraid. Maybe because my family’s image was on the line? Maybe I was feeling like a liar for not telling Sebastian the truth about his runaway brother and I? Father’s smile faded to a scowl. “What are you waiting for, Pene?” I dared to look away from his fiery eyes and to the mirror. I could still see my son’s father, young and handsome standing behind me. He’s wearing a suit that rhymes so well with his jet black hair. His brown eyes still look like honey and they glint whenever he calls me— “Penelope!” Father growled, hitting his fist at the door. “Don’t you dare disappoint me!” My breath hitched and from my peripheral vision, I could see Marie trembling at my side. She knows the dark horrors of our family, and how those scars on my back didn’t come from me falling from a bike, or any of the fake stories father made me tell people. “After everything I have done for you. Accommodating you and your bastard son!” He spat out, his nose flaring as he stared at me with the usual face of disgust. “You owe me this, Penelope. And you dare not fail me.” A tear ran down my cheeks and I was quick to wipe it off. The image of my ex faded into the light, and I was alone in the reflection, dressed in diamond but looking as sober as a mourning widow. I nodded my head and forced a laugh. “Yes father. I owe you my son’s life after all.” He grasped hold of my hand and turned around. “From today, you’ll be a Wellington and our family’s name will be restored from the mud you tossed us into.” I nodded and kept my smile as wide as possible. It’s all about the act. And today, I would become a Wellington, even though I was marrying the wrong brother. The choristers sang gracefully, their hymns and tunes ringing into the morning air like angels. A swarm of press surrounded the cathedral, and the big news stations got access into the church as well. The church was packed up with people dressed in velvet, designer suits and watches that could pay off my college loan. The crowd rose to their feet as father and I emerged at the doorway. I barely recognized anyone. Most of the guests were friends and colleagues of the Wellingtons. They were all richer and higher in social class than my family. I should have felt special with all the attention, but rather, It felt like I was walking into a lion’s den. I was prey to these people, and behind their benign smiles were gnarly fangs of predators ready to pounce on me once I made a mistake. “Keep smiling.” Father whispered as we walked down the aisle, cameras flashing into our eyes. My wandering eyes caught sight of my son in the crowd. Marie stood next to him, and they both waved happily at me. I chortled and was about to wave at them but father pushed my hand down. “Don’t you dare show the world that bastard son of a nobody.” His words caught in my throat like a knife stuck in my lungs. Reluctantly, I walked past my son without waving or acknowledging him. I had to please my father today for my son’s sake, if not for anything else. Sebastian Wellington stood at the altar; his tall, lanky frame looking exquisite in the black suit he had on. His blonde hair was slicked back with gel, his face was clean shaved and his brows were carefully groomed. Sebastian looked like the definition of old money. Bright green eyes, platinum hair and a straight nose, he was stunning and youthful. Quite the charmer… Father gripped my wrist tightly, shooting a dangerous glare at me before handing me over to Sebastian. Looking eye to eye with my future husband, I couldn’t understand the emotions I felt. Although I had never spoken to Sebastian one-on-one, and a part of my heart felt scandalous that I was marrying my ex’s brother, I knew this was my way out of ridicule and shame. And also, Sebastian was handsome, rich and charming. It couldn’t be hard to fall in love with a man like him. He smiled all through the vows, his eyes bright and animated. I couldn’t tell if he liked me so much or if he was just so good at acting in-love to the press and cameras. Either way, it was comforting enough to go through my vows as well. “Should anyone present know of any reason this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace!” The priest said and looked around the crowd briefly. He looked away and returned his gaze to us. “You may now kiss your—” “My hands are up, holy father!” A deep voice uttered with a tone buried in mockery. Chatter arose in the cathedral and all eyes were turned to a hand sticking out amongst the crowd. Who’s that? “And what may your reason be?” The old priest questioned, adjusting his eyeglasses on his nose. The figure stood up from the pews and the crowd grew wild. I knew those eyes. I knew that face. I knew that man in the crowd… He’s the father of my son. He’s— “Ryker?”