Beauty Reborn

Chapter3

~Joanna

The sun filtered through the curtains, casting a weak light over the room. But the room felt cold and heavy, my heart frozen with dread.

Suddenly, the door flew open, my uncle standing in the doorway. Behind him were two maids, their faces drawn and serious.

"It's time, Joanna," my uncle said, his voice as cold as ice.

I shook my head, tears already welling in my eyes. "Please, Uncle," I begged, my voice a whisper. "I don't want to marry him. I love someone else."

My uncle's face was set, unmoving. "You have a responsibility to this family," he said, his voice hard. "You will marry him, and that's final."

I shook my head, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Please, Uncle," I pleaded, my voice breaking. "Don't do this."

But he had already turned away. "John, Michael," he called, gesturing to two burly men standing in the doorway. "Guard Joanna. Make sure she doesn't leave this room until the wedding."

The two men, John and Michael, moved into the room, their faces grim. They stood on either side of the door, their arms crossed over their chests, their eyes fixed on me.

I huddled in a corner of the room, my body shaking with fear and grief. How could my uncle be so cruel? How could he force me into a marriage I didn't want?

The hours dragged by, the silence broken only by the sound of my own ragged breathing. Finally, the door opened again, my uncle standing in the doorway.

"It's time," he said, his voice flat and unemotional. "The guests are waiting."

I shook my head, hot tears spilling down my face. "I can't do it," I whispered, my voice barely a whisper. "I love someone else. I can't marry a stranger."

But my uncle's face remained unmoved. "You will do as I say," he said, his voice like a knife. "Or so help me, I will make you regret it.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I had no choice. I had to do this, for the sake of my family, for the sake of my future.

I nodded numbly, a tear rolling down my cheek. The maids swarmed around me, adjusting my veil, checking my makeup, trying to fix my face. But it was hopeless; my eyes were red and swollen, my skin blotchy. They dabbed gently at my face, trying to erase the signs of my grief, but the sorrow was etched into every line of my body.

Finally, they stepped back, and I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a beautiful white dress, my hair swept up into an intricate updo, my face a porcelain mask.

Slowly, I stepped forward, the long train of my dress trailing behind me. I tried to hold my head high, but I couldn't stop the tears from falling, my eyes streaming with sadness and fear.

We stepped outside, and I blinked in the bright sunlight. The car waited, its doors open, the driver standing at the ready. My uncle gestured for me to get in, but I hesitated, my body shaking.

Suddenly, two figures appeared in the distance, running towards us. It was Pamela and Sandra, my bridesmaids, their dresses fluttering behind them.

"Joanna," Pamela cried, her eyes wide with concern. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. "I can't do this," I whispered.

"Yes, you can," Sandra said, her voice strong and confident. "You're the strongest person I know. You can get through this."

I wanted to believe her, but I felt like I was crumbling inside.

"You will," Pamela said, her voice gentle but firm.

Slowly, I let myself be led towards the car, the veil over my face blurring my vision.

"Hurry," my uncle snapped, his voice impatient. "We don't have all day."

Pamela and Sandra helped me into the car, their hands on my shoulders, their voices soft and reassuring. The driver closed the door behind us, and the car pulled away from the curb, its engine humming.

The streets blurred by as we drove towards the reception, the music and laughter growing louder with each passing minute. I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the world, but the images of Adrian danced in my mind, my heart aching for him.

The car pulled up to the reception, and I opened my eyes, my breath catching in my throat. The hall was decked out in white and gold, the tables adorned with flowers and candles. I could hear the strains of music, the chatter of the guests.

My uncle took my arm, and we stepped into the hall, a hush falling over the crowd as they turned to watch me walk down the aisle. Behind me, Pamela and Sandra followed, sprinkling flower petals at my feet.

The crowd parted as we made our way towards the altar, their faces a blur in the corner of my eye. I kept my gaze fixed on the floor, my heart beating in a steady, painful rhythm.

And then, in the distance, I saw a man. Adrian. His face was pale, his eyes wide with shock.

My heart froze, my breath catching in my throat. He was here? How? Why? Could he be my supposed husband?

I felt like I was underwater, the sounds and sights around me muffled and distorted. All I could see was Adrian, his face frozen in an expression of anguish.

As I tried to wrap my head around what was happening, I turned to look at Adrian, hoping for some explanation. But as I searched his face, I saw no recognition, no hint of familiarity. He stood by the altar, his eyes focused on the floor, avoiding my gaze as though we had never met.

I stood there, my dress heavy and my mind heavier, suddenly, a man stepped into the light. He was tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair. He reached out to take my hand, and I froze, surprised and confused. What was happening?

"Joanna," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "I'm Lanre, your husband."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. I felt like I was in a dream, or a nightmare. "But…what the hell is going on?"