CHAPTER FOUR
1433 Words
Chloe
Carrie paraded through the crowd, a plastered smile dancing on her lips, my heartbeat accelerated that I was scared Tristan would hear, pulse thundered in my veins.
She grabbed the microphone, clearing her goddamned throat. All eyes turned to her, expecting the drama she was about to pull. Including me, with a pounding chest and forced calm expression.
“It's my twin's wedding, everyone, and I want her to be happy.” She began, her voice syrupy sweet and airy, with a hand placed on her chest. She turned to Tristan, “Take good care of my sister.” He gave her a bright smile and nodded, grazing his fingers on my palm.
She turned to me slightly; something flashed in her eyes like pure hatred and immediately morphed into a tight smile. She returned the microphone to the pastor and left, the sound of her heels slicing through the brief silence.
Her reaction made me wonder if her apologies were true or if it was just her facade. She inherited my father's cruelty and mother's manipulative tactics. And I am just so unlucky to exist in their world.
He leaned in and whispered, “I've waited for so long, Chloe. I'm happy you'll finally be mine.” A smile spread on my lips. Natural. Unforced. His expensive cologne filled my senses, setting my problems aside for a while. Just for the meantime.
I wanted to stare at his face and avoid everybody else. I couldn’t imagine the murderous glares they dashed at me or the wicked smiles of victory.
The pastor cleared his throat, pulling us out of our personal moment.
“Now, it's time to take the oath.”
Tristan took my hand, and his thumb rubbed my palm. He could sense my nervousness. But it was more than that. Worse.
“Chloe Winters, I'm not a perfect man, but I would cross a thousand seas to be the husband of your dreams. I cannot promise you heaven because I'm not God, but I'd make you the happiest woman on earth till my last breath. I love you now, always, and forever.”
His words were supposed to move me more than they did, but a part of me was weak and dying. They sounded real and wholehearted. But I knew it wouldn't last long.
His smile. I never believed, one day, I could shatter him into pieces. He stared into the hazel depth of my eyes.
The whole time, I prepared my voice and rehearsed internally, struggling not to mess everything up. I might grab the microphone and burst into tears.
“Tristan Astor, I promise to be the wife you could ever dream of, always and forever.” I said, my voice softening at the edges.
In my mind, those words felt like a lie. A big fat lie.
From the top of his head to his little tattoo to his neatly manicured fingers and down to the tips of his toes, I stared at the man that would beat all odds to be with me.
As minutes passed, my tension increased. He wiped off a tear that I didn't even realize was there.
“You may kiss the bride,” the pastor said.
He tilted up my chin and took my lips in. He tasted like mint, his warmth filling up my mouth, tongue raking every corner. After hours of feeling like everyone present was waiting to judge me, the wedding ended.
~
“I know you're tired, Chloe. I can prepare you for a bath. The maids would unpack your luggage.” Tristan said, smiling with a flicker of worry in his eyes.
I sat at the foot of our bed, staring at him crouched in front of me. I'd forced a smile each time he questioned my mood or changed the topic. But at that point, I couldn't avoid him anymore.
“What's wrong?” He finally asked; his smile faltered, and his face dropped as he scanned my eyes.
“I…I wanted to say something,” I stuttered, the words heavy on my tongue, but I quickly let it out, even though I'd be unable to handle anything that comes after it. He stood up, his gaze scanning mine.
His lips widened into a smile as I stood up and he held my hands in a way that made my stomach twist. Gradually, he stepped forward, closing up the smallest distance between us.
“You can always tell me anything…as long as we have the rest of our lives together… I would really love to claim my beautiful wife this night… but you're stressed.” He leaned in, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.
He moved back enough to have a direct look at my face, squeezed my hands slightly and nodded in reassurance. Minutes after, he prepared the bath so I could freshen up. We slept with entangled limbs, like he was scared I'd run, our heartbeats in sync.
The next morning, I woke with that same guilt weighing me down. He wasn't beside me. My gaze travelled across the room, expecting him to walk out of the restroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.
A maid approached the bed and bowed slightly.
“Good morning, Mrs. Astor. Mr. Tristan told me to stay here till you're awake. What would you like me to help with?” She said gently, a little smile on her lips, her brown hair neatly styled.
I smiled back, my heartbeat back to normal. This was the life I prayed for where someone really cares.
“I think I'm okay for now. What's your name?” I asked. Even if I needed something, I wasn't used to ordering people around.
“Stella.” She bowed again. “My name is Stella.” I gave her a cheeky smile, as if we were acquaintances but I liked her, for no reason.
“I prepared the bath; you should join them downstairs for breakfast.” She said.
Unsure of what to say, I smiled and nodded. I retorted to the bathroom, did my thing, dressed in a light dress, and walked downstairs.
The whole family sat around the table. Mrs. Astor looked back right at that moment, meeting my eyes.
She smiled widely; the diamond in her teeth caught the light, glistening.
“Come here, Chloe.”
Tristan stood up and met me by the stairs, helping me down, my cheeks flushed and reddened.
The aroma of different dishes filled my nostrils - seafoods, grilled fish, desserts.. just name it.
“Good morning, everyone.” I greeted, my voice calm and composed as Tristan helped me with the chair beside him.
“Hope you slept well, Chloe?” Mrs. Astor asked, her smile unwavering.
Tristan served my food; it wasn't the sad-looking greens I was served at home out of punishment.
“You know...this full-course breakfast is for you...before the honeymoon.”
I tilted my head sideways to look at Tristan, my brows c****d in question, eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes, it's in two days. Then, we'll move to our house in London.” He said, the cutlery resting in between his fingers.
“Mom, let her eat...she's still here.” He faced her, smiling.
Slowly, a silence settled, everyone focused on their meal.
Phones chimed across the table, liting up with a notification. I looked up, trying to figure out the strange coincidence. Mrs. Astor picked up her phone, fingers hovering nervously over the screen.
“Carrie” She raged, eyes widened in shock. “What's this?”
Aria gasped, the spoon halfway into her mouth. My gut twisted, needles punctured my heart in a thousand places, and my blood ran cold.
“What?” Mrs. Astor sprang up; the chair screeched backwards with force and anger.
I wasn't sure what they saw; they gasped, my eyes flew around, and at that point, I knew there was a problem—big and disastrous.They stared back at me, eyes heavy with disappointment and disgust.
My legs suddenly felt heavy beneath me, my whole body stiffened, and the muscles of my mouth stopped working. Mr. Astor turned the phone to me, and I saw it. My gut twisted, and blood drained from my face.
“Chloe, what's this?” Mr. Astor sprang up; the chair screeched backwards with force and anger. He turned the phone to me, and I saw it.
A video of me the night before, pounding, moaning beneath the stranger. I didn't even see his face. It was just mine. Tears rolled down my cheeks.
- Writer
